Need advice: Torn between Nikon D5100 and D7000

[mscagli1]

I've done tons of research on DSLRs and I've narrowed it down to two models: the D5100 and the D7000. I was wondering if any of you fabulous people here might be able to give some advice so I can decide on one model to buy. I've read that they are similar cameras on the surface and have the same sensor, but others say that the build quality/ AF motor/ Dual SD slots/ metering/ AF points/ control dials justify the price point.

Some things to know:

This is my first time buying a DSLR. My old camera was a Fujifilm Point-and-Shoot and I was looking at DSLR to give more control and freedom, and something to grow into as I get better with photography. My goal is to get a body (obviously) with a prime lens (for low light) and a general use lens. I'm not worried about zooms too much.

I know about photography, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and things like that enough to change the controls and predict what will happens, but I don't know enough to use Manual mode full time. Video is appreciated, but not my primary focus.

I have no previous lenses or flashes, but I think the D700's AF motor and flash capabilities can prove useful in the future.

I have budget of about $1800, counting gift cards and everything. I'm ok with not spending it all on camera hardware and lenses, because I can always throw it into tripods, flashes,and other things.

I'm one of those people that likes to learn everything about the camera I use.


I've heard that the D7000 is too much camera for a beginner, but I've also heard to buy something you won't outgrow too fast. Bottom line, I don't want to be kicking myself for buying the wrong one and either paying too much or wanting more features. Can anyone help?

[Ads]

[The_Duke]

I own the d5100 and if I had the money I would probably gotten a d7000. The second command dial isn't a big deal for me as the one dial I have can control SS, Aperture, and ISO. I will most likely never need to control a flash off-camera and just chose the best lenses I could with the AF-S motor in them. They aren't 1500$ lenses but for the price they are great. But the extra AF points would be nice along with some of the extra external controls. Didn't care for the LCD screen though (I would have rather had more buttons). All in all I spent about 1600$ for the camera, 4 lenses, filters, a bag, and spare battery.

[o hey tyler]

I own the d5100 and if I had the money I would probably gotten a d7000. The second command dial isn't a big deal for me as the one dial I have can control SS, Aperture, and ISO.

But you cannot control them simultaneously without having to hold a button. Once you go dual command dial, you never go back.

I will most likely never need to control a flash off-camera and just chose the best lenses I could with the AF-S motor in them.

CLS is actually a really usable feature that's great even for entry level photographers. Canon has a similar system that was implemented with the 7D. Limiting yourself to only AF lenses also bottlenecks how much money you spend on a lens. Some people might be happy with a 35-70 f/2.8 AF-D on a D7000, and it will autofocus. When you have a D5100, you are limited to AF-S lenses if you want autofocus.

They aren't 1500$ lenses but for the price they are great. But the extra AF points would be nice along with some of the extra external controls.

Yes, you are correct. More external controls are great, and very useful.

Didn't care for the LCD screen though (I would have rather had more buttons). All in all I spent about 1600$ for the camera, 4 lenses, filters, a bag, and spare battery.

They have the same LCD screen on the back, and the D7k has one on the top as well which is useful. I use the LCD screen on my 5D and 5D Mark II quite regularly.

In addition to what you mentioned (and were clearly biased by being a D5100 user) the D7000 also has a faster burst rate, more autofocus points, a 100% viewfinder, longer battery life, better dynamic range, and it's weather sealed.

OP, personally I would get a D7k.

[ratssass]

...someone else here said it best....buy a body you can grow into.....i have/love the d7k,but i didn't buy it for video,and i'm sure glad i didn't...

[mscagli1]

Right now I'm just trying to think about the philosophy of "buy better glass with a cheap body vs. an expensive body and cheap glass", but also the fact that I could eventually outgrow a body (which is still a considerable investment in my book). Has anyone bought the 5100 and noticed that they wanted more? Or has anyone bought the 7k and thought it wasn't worth the price point? I'm pretty sure I'll be satisfied with either, stepping up from a compact, but I'm thinking for the future and thinking that I might appreciate direct buttons and build quality when I have enough experience to actually get irritated over menu-digging and a plasticky feel. That way, I won't have to get a new body...

[MTVision]

But you cannot control them simultaneously without having to hold a button. Once you go dual command dial, you never go back.

CLS is actually a really usable feature that's great even for entry level photographers. Canon has a similar system that was implemented with the 7D. Limiting yourself to only AF lenses also bottlenecks how much money you spend on a lens. Some people might be happy with a 35-70 f/2.8 AF-D on a D7000, and it will autofocus. When you have a D5100, you are limited to AF-S lenses if you want autofocus.

Yes, you are correct. More external controls are great, and very useful.

They have the same LCD screen on the back, and the D7k has one on the top as well which is useful. I use the LCD screen on my 5D and 5D Mark II quite regularly.

In addition to what you mentioned (and were clearly biased by being a D5100 user) the D7000 also has a faster burst rate, more autofocus points, a 100% viewfinder, longer battery life, better dynamic range, and it's weather sealed.

OP, personally I would get a D7k.

The LCD on the d5100 is a swivel screen. I think that's what he was talking about.

Op - I have the d5100 and I'd go for the d7000 in a heartbeat.

[photo_joe]

If you can afford it go with the D7000, no reason to buy the D5100 and then in six months realize that the D7000 would have been a better choice. Yes if you buy the D5100 you could buy better glass, but I think having the better body to start with would make it worth waiting for better glass. I say get the D7000 with the kit lens and pick up a 50mm 1.8 and then get comfortable with the camera and save up for a good telephoto lens.

What kind of photos would you be looking to take? As this might also help with the decision, but more than likely I think if you get the D7000 you won't be dissappointed in the least.

I started with a D60 and within about 3 months I went out and got a D7000 since I wanted the extra features like duel button control and extra focus points. It's easier to grow into the camera then buy what you think works now and then a short time later you want the bigger camera and realize you have to save for a while to get it.

[Hammbone]

I had the same problem and I went with the 5100 just because I found a good deal.

[The_Duke]

But you cannot control them simultaneously without having to hold a button. Once you go dual command dial, you never go back.CLS is actually a really usable feature that's great even for entry level photographers. Canon has a similar system that was implemented with the 7D. Limiting yourself to only AF lenses also bottlenecks how much money you spend on a lens. Some people might be happy with a 35-70 f/2.8 AF-D on a D7000, and it will autofocus. When you have a D5100, you are limited to AF-S lenses if you want autofocus.Yes, you are correct. More external controls are great, and very useful.They have the same LCD screen on the back, and the D7k has one on the top as well which is useful. I use the LCD screen on my 5D and 5D Mark II quite regularly.In addition to what you mentioned (and were clearly biased by being a D5100 user) the D7000 also has a faster burst rate, more autofocus points, a 100% viewfinder, longer battery life, better dynamic range, and it's weather sealed.OP, personally I would get a D7k.

The LCD on the d5100 is a swivel screen. I think that's what he was talking about. Op - I have the d5100 and I'd go for the d7000 in a heartbeat.

@tyler---- you are correct. I would like to have the second dial as I almost always leave the ISO at 100 unless absolutely nessacery. And the LCD screen I was referring to was the one on top. I would get rid of that one for more controls. I really like the switch on the D700 and the D3x to switch AF mode on the fly from area to single point. And yes I am a little biased in that I will deal with the so-called shortcomings of the D5100 for the price difference because I really like all my lenses. All but the macro are af-s and quite sharp ( click on the lenses in my sig to see the Slrgear.com review). I would like more AF points and better battery life and some of the other less talked about features but price was an issue and the D5100 has the same viewscreen, image sensor, and believe me if I could have spent the extra money I would have. Maybe you didn't notice (no disrespect intended) that I voted for the d7000 and that the first line still suggested the d7000 over the d5100 but I still thought it worth mentioning that the d5100 is still a very capable dslr. To the OP: you now have 2 d5100 owners suggesting the d7000 and all your votes are for the d7000. It's all up to you. The 18-105 is a great starting zoom; add a prime and you should be set for a while. In that time invest in a couple of filters and maybe some accessories that you find yourself wanting and start shooting.

[coastalconn]

If you can grab a D7000. Don't be like me. I started with a D5000. I loved the IQ, but I quickly learned that I couldn't stand the lack of physical controls. I also couldn't afford fancy AF-S lenses. After 6 months I sold it and got a D90. Still loved the IQ and loved the layout of the camera. All of a sudden I found myself deeply entrenched with wildlife photography and now I have a D300 for the better af system, high frame rate and build quality beating it around in the woods. Yes glass is very important, but you have to have a body to meet all of your needs first. Just my humble opinion....

[djacobox372]

If you are looking for the most bang for your Buck the d5100 is the better choice--same sensor for a lot less $.

That said, if u are the type that would be interested in used glass, the d7000 might be cheaper in the long run due to its ability to meter with classic manual focus lenses along with its af motor.

[mscagli1]

As for the pictures I want to take, I'm thinking landscape and low light, but not really night, like sunsets. Also, I take pictures for my robotics team, which is hard to describe, but mostly involves indoor shots, including in a stadium/ gym. The lighting isn't always great, so this is why I was considering a fast prime for less blur. On my old camera, everything blurred because it was too slow.

How is the kit lens? I heard that kit lenses aren't the best quality, but they're also less expensive too. Is the kit lens a good start, or would it be better to do a body only deal and get a better lens?

Thanks for all the input from everyone. It helps a lot to get real people's opinions and not just look at stats and prices for hours trying to choose. And with 100% of the votes right now, the D7000 looks like an obvious choice. I found a D7000 with 18-105 lens at two different places(AjRichies and BestPricePhoto) for around $1,120, which is scary low considering B&H and Adorama have it listed at around $1,400. Has anyone shopped at any of these two stores and found that these stores and their prices are legit?

[Solarflare]

I choose the D5100 over the D7000 because of the swirvel monitor. I love those.

I didnt knew about the weather sealing of the D7000, though. Thats one of the features I would definitely love to have. Remember, though, that just because your camera is weather sealed doesnt mean your lens is weather sealed as well. You need both and its kind of hard to tell with most lenses if they are.

Otherwise, the D7000 is mostly sturdier, heavier (not a completely good thing, though some love it so the camera is easier to hold still), has more than thus faster controls, has some advanced features like the 1/8000s shutter speed or better flash control, and has a second card slot which should be a standard feature for any serious digital camera (since memory cards are unreliable so you always want a backup).

All in all, you can be happy with both cameras. I know I am with my D5100.

[mscagli1]

I've also heard about overexposure problems in the D7000. Can anyone who has a D7000 explain if it has this problem? How noticeable is it?

[o hey tyler]

I've also heard about overexposure problems in the D7000. Can anyone who has a D7000 explain if it has this problem? How noticeable is it?

It's probably favorable to overexposed slightly if you shoot in RAW. More shadow retention.