Nikon D7000
The D7000 was announced in September 2010 as the replacement for the beloved D90. Nikon reportedly skipped their usual naming convention and called it the D7000 rather than using a D90 successor number. It arrived in stores that October. It sat between the consumer D90 and the pro-grade D300S, and at launch it was priced about $300 below the D300S.
The body is magnesium alloy with weather sealing. It's tough, but as The Phoblographer (2011) put it, not a solid brick like the D300S or D700. It's slightly smaller than the D300S, with less rubber gripping and less pronounced thumb/finger moldings. Reviewers found it a more discreet tool than the bigger Nikons, with a notably smooth shutter sound. One called it "the best-sounding camera I've used in a long time."
On paper, the specs were impressive for the price. The D7000 packed a 16.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, EXPEED 2 processor, a 39-point autofocus system with 9 cross-type sensors (the same Multi-CAM 4800DX module later used in the full-frame D600), 6 fps burst shooting for up to 100 frames, 1080p Full HD video at 24/25/30 fps, and dual SD card slots. The optical pentaprism viewfinder offered approximately 0.94x magnification with 100 percent coverage. A 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor handled 3D Color Matrix Metering II. ISO ran natively from 100-6400, expandable to 25,600.
The D7000 takes the EN-EL15 battery, rated at roughly 1,050 shots per CIPA standards. Body dimensions are 132 × 105 × 77 mm. The body weighs about 690 grams, or 780 grams per some listings, likely with battery and card. An optional MB-D11 battery grip was available.
Contemporary reaction was strong. One early assessment noted the D7000 "actually stomps the Nikon D300s on multiple levels, all in a much more compact form factor." The 39-point AF was called more than sufficient for any type of photography. Later retrospective takes praised the color depth and tonality, natural color science, and reliable auto white balance. Video was deemed serviceable for run-and-gun and documentary work, though not cinematic by modern standards. Live-view focusing requires patience, and the menu system feels dated. The rear screen is clear indoors but can wash out in bright sun.
Known issues surfaced in owner communities. A back-focus problem affected some units, though forum consensus suggested it wasn't widespread. More notoriously, some D7000s suffered from oil deposits on the sensor. One owner publicly documented the problem and what they described as a lack of warranty support. A stiff on/off switch was another reported complaint, and one owner speculated that coastal salt air may have contributed.
The D7000 was succeeded by the D7100. It remains a commonly found used body, often sold with the 18-105mm kit lens, and is frequently recommended as a budget entry into Nikon's prosumer line.
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