should i buy a d7000?

macgregor

Veteran
I´m a Canon and Nikon guy. This means that i have lots of gear from both brands and use them both regularly.

Now, tastes apart NIkon does a better job converting from RAW to RGB in camera. THis means highlights and and shadow details are better preserved in JPGs (or TIF if you´re shooting Tif). This is measurable (not a personal taste).
I could also say that Nikon colours and the tone curve look better to me but that´s not measurable but my personal taste.

So here are a couple examples:

1286376609.jpg

Nikon D90


1286376636.jpg

Canon 5Dmk2


IF you´re shooting raw this doesn´t really matter because you can extract all the DR and apply the best conversion later at home. IN the example above, the D90 looks clearly better from a technical point (more overal DR- check the wall in the background, and check the shadows under the car, both show more details). Once those pictures are processed from the RAW, the differences are minimal in terms of DR, and the 5D wins in terms of resolution and noise as we all know. BUt the important thing is that straight from the camera, nikon JPGs look better. (note, both cameras set to neutral colour profiles, and active Dlighting in nikon, and HTP in canon).

BUt since DSLR video is not RAW, this in camera RAW-RGB conversion is quite important. ANd this is where the new D7000 seems to me to have an advantage over the rest of the DSLR cameras. More dynamic range and better tone curve means a better final image.

I haven´t tested the d7000 yet but it seems to me like a very good alternative to stop shooting with my boring 5D and sell it...

(and where is the d700x for god's shake!)
 
regarding the "D700x" here's the latest from Nikon Rumors:

http://nikonrumors.com/2010/10/05/nikon-d800-and-d4-rumors.aspx

I am inclined to agree with you about Nikon and have personally pre-ordered a D7000.

But there are so many unanswered questions about how it deals with video, if you are not committed to it as an excellent stills camera (I'm buying it as a back up body for my stills work, with high hopes for video), I would wait a few weeks until it comes out and we all start posting some real sample vids.
 
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Hi Macgregor,

The other camera manufacturers have not stepped up their video functions enough to really destroy the Nikon D7000, and considering the D7000 does have the Nikon color in its video, I would recommend the D7000 if that is what you are looking for.

The same difference in the pictures you posted above, can be seen in this video comparison:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVpGpHSpcIg

I assume you know that Nikon has no 60p, not even in the 720p mode. Nikons are also more prone to jello (which is one of the things yet to be determined in the D7000). Other work arounds or issues, I am sure you can live with, such as leaving live-mode to change apeture with certain lenses.

Here is a comparison of the d7000 with the 7D.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpQ8s4nNQSE

I still wouldn't recommend the D7000 to most users.


----------Looking at the shadow under the car, the overblown highlights in the Canon appear to be an exposure issue, more than a DR issue. Also, the Canon is clearly more saturated, but that can be adjusted in camera. (in default color modes, I prefer Nikon, in my experience.)
 
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Only if both cameras do not offer Picture Style or Picture Control adjustments.

What I mean is that we can easily adjust JPEG setting in so many ways and that such a simple comparison is a bit silly. If you don't like Canon's color rendition and tone curve, just go into the menu and change it. It's simple as that.

BTW, when I used 5d, I didn't even bother using built-in picture styles. A nice Custom made Picture Style called New Standard was the thing for me.
 
i don't know if you can tell from those stills that there's less dr in the canon actually. contrast can be higher without any loss of range, images can even look clipped even though it's all there. and it's only when you look at the histogram or scope that you can tell. as stated the difference is how raw is translated to rgb and that's exactly what a picture style is. this said i also prefer the nikon way, with a flatter gamma, desaturated shadows and saturated highligts, over canon's vice versa. it's a lot like fuji vs kodak actually.
 
What about the 24 fps when you live in PAL world and want to mix your footage with the hvx 200 in same sequence..
Converting 24-->25 fps can get problems with synch. audio and also not easy process..

I've sold mine d90 and want to buy d7000 but the 24p holds me back " Dame why not 25p nikon ..?? "
Getting tired to let me push to the canon..
 
funny/cool thread on all this! haha :) why not combine nikon stills with canon video? also fodder for the nikon-canon religious wars:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=638411
nikon finally gets canon quality 1080p hd (24p, 30i, 60i) hd video. you can diy (do it yourself) @: http://www.diyphotography.net/a-diy-9shooter-shooting-stills-video-simultaneously-audio-too

have fun! let me know if anyone else has tried this. it lets one capture video throughout the entire shoot, and the new dynamic image stabilization on the canon hfs200 is awesome, so it smooths it all out.




--from
http://www.modelmayhem.com/edit_post.php?post_id=13908193&page=1
 
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Definately you can go with Nikon D7000. Because the D7000 has AF and metering systems are also new, and represent a significant upgrade to those used in the D90. In terms of its specification, the D7000 actually outguns the D300S in many respects, and at 16.2Mp it offers the second highest resolution of any Nikon DSLR, behind only the 24Mp D3X. Nikon D7000 includes a range of new features to ensure superior image quality including 16.2 effective megapixels with the newly developed Nikon DX format CMOS image sensor.

Nikon D7000 Key Features
- 3.0 inch 921k dot LCD screen
- New Live View/movie shooting switch
- Full-time AF in Live View/movie modes
- Up to 6fps continuous shooting
- Lockable shooting mode dial
- 1080p HD video recording with mic jack for external microphone
 
If you are just asking about video features in a camera, GH2 is packed. I still picked up a D7000 over GH2 despite it lacks some features GH2 has.
 
Consider the cost of lenses when investing in a camera system brand. Nikon beats all other manufactures because you have a huge selection of good quality but cheap vintage F-mount optics. A good portion of my lenses are pre 1980. Other then that, the d7000 is the most limited of the newer cameras in video mode - no exposure meters, shoddy audio options (dual system is a must) and limited recording options - I'm pretty much stuck at 1080/24p and would really love to have 720/60p. so over all it depends on your situation and what your willing to sacrifice. I've been shooting nikon for years and have a bunch of lenes so the d7000 was a no brainer for me. The next gen pro bodies should see the light in the summer and I'll be getting one of those eventually.
 
If your serious about video, go for Canon.. they have better videos.. If stills is your concern, Get Nikon D7000, it's unbeatable..
 
What do you mean better videos? Do you mean more options and features? Or do you mean better looking videos?
 
I'm sure his response in based on side by side tests and careful analysis of the footage, combined with a photometric, ergonomic and functional assessment of the two manufacturers cameras. So please don't question it.
 
I am using the D7000 for B roll footage where the audio is not all that important. For that purpose it is great. I have a large number of Nikkor lenses. Some older (70s) lenses do not work on the camera; they won't even fit the mount. Later lenses work just fine. I like the camera a lot.
 
As far as the video quality is concerned, I work with footage from many types of cameras. the video quality out of the camera is excellent and on par with anything the 7D can put out. with the correct exposure the DR is outstanding. to bad its 8-bit.
 
I'm sure his response in based on side by side tests and careful analysis of the footage, combined with a photometric, ergonomic and functional assessment of the two manufacturers cameras. So please don't question it.
???
 
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