I am wanting an upgrade from my D3100 and I don't know which if these cameras would be the smartest upgrade. I definitely want the capability to shoot higher quality photos in lower light, as well as the built in AF motor. I rarely shoot video so the video factor isn't going to play in much. Is it worth it to go ahead and spend the extra cash and upgrade to the D7100? Also, should I sell my D3100 body AND it's kit lens and get a either the D7000 or D7100 with a new kit lens??
D7000 or D7100??
- Thread Starter lfoush
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look at the primary differences between the d7000 and d7100 - the first thing is the 16mp versus 24mp
then, larger screen, better ISO, better resolution, more focus points 51 v 39 & cross type 15 v 9, etc
Which would you prefer ?
and what is your budget.
But I think after you get the dx00 you'll find out you may not use your d3100 much. But if you can hold on to it after getting a d7x00 then you might as well hold it and then compare yourself and determine whether to keep it or not.
then, larger screen, better ISO, better resolution, more focus points 51 v 39 & cross type 15 v 9, etc
Which would you prefer ?
and what is your budget.
But I think after you get the dx00 you'll find out you may not use your d3100 much. But if you can hold on to it after getting a d7x00 then you might as well hold it and then compare yourself and determine whether to keep it or not.
globeglimpser
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The main difference is the D4 focus system on the D7100 which alone is worth saving up a little more for. Also, whilst more pixels is not vital, it doesn't hurt when low light performance is maintained. Finally, no AA screen in the D7100. No question here, save extra and buy the D7100.
However, having said that, I would not upgrade the camera whilst I still had kit lenses. Glass first. Heck I have an entry D5100 which is still great. All my money has gone onto my 28 prime, 50 prime, 16-35 and soon an 85. Once I get the 70-200 (Tamron) I will finally buy a new body.
However, having said that, I would not upgrade the camera whilst I still had kit lenses. Glass first. Heck I have an entry D5100 which is still great. All my money has gone onto my 28 prime, 50 prime, 16-35 and soon an 85. Once I get the 70-200 (Tamron) I will finally buy a new body.
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What I would recommend is this, take a look at the current prices you can get a D7000 and a D7100 for and what sort of deals are out there. Check both for the camera with a lens, and prices on just the body. Then you'll have an idea as to how much you'll need to spend for each. Start with the D7000, body only, which is going to be the lowest price - and determine if the difference between that and the D7100 is really worth the advantages the D7100 will give you (primarly the better autofocusing system and better boost ISO). That will let you make a decision as to which camera.
Then take a look at the prices with the kit lens, and ask yourself is the price difference between the body only and the price with the kit lens really worth the lens it's bundled with? Keep in mind you already have a lens you can use on hand, so determine if you are really going to need the lens now and if the kit price is really a good deal for you at this moment.
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OP is also after a focus motor, so not sure if OP already has AF or AF-D lenses.
I've bought all AF-D lenses and in order to do that, and use AF, I needed the d7000's built in focus motor first.
So sometimes a new body is needed before one buys new lenses. It's all up to the Ops lens strategy.
The money saved on AF-D vs the comparable AF-S/G lenses is astronomical (to my budget).
But as mentioned, save up a little to get the additional benefits of the d7100.
I've struggled alot on my strategy to upgrade to the d7100 or trying for the d600. I'm holding off for the d600.
I've bought all AF-D lenses and in order to do that, and use AF, I needed the d7000's built in focus motor first.
So sometimes a new body is needed before one buys new lenses. It's all up to the Ops lens strategy.
The money saved on AF-D vs the comparable AF-S/G lenses is astronomical (to my budget).
But as mentioned, save up a little to get the additional benefits of the d7100.
I've struggled alot on my strategy to upgrade to the d7100 or trying for the d600. I'm holding off for the d600.
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out of the two you mentioned, I'd go for the D7100, but I am biased because I have one, I loved it, and I am actually selling it with lenses (in the Buy/sell) - but as TheLost mentions, start with something higher, and work back until you find something you can afford which ticks all your boxes
Derrel
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Look up Thom Hogan's review of the D7100. He talks some about the D7000 vs D7100 equation. The D7100 is not a slam-dunk buy; for many people, he seems to suggest that the D7000 is a good choice. Honestly, I'm not sure myself is the D7100 is really the right choice for anybody except those who really want the little bit extra that only it has.
TheLost
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Having owned the D7000 from the first day it came out to the first day the D7100 came out... they are two different cameras.
They feel different: The grip on the D7100 is deeper and wider. I find it easier to hold the D7100 then the D7000.
The buttons are placed different: Take a look at the back of both. The D7100 has movie record button moved to the top of the camera. The AE-L/AF-L button is moved farther to the right on the D7100 (Making AF-ON easier). The focus selecor lock is moved... Basically the back of the D7100 is more like the back of the D600/D610.
24mp: There is a huge difference between 16mp and 24mp when it comes to pixel density. (cropping, sharpness, 'crisp-ness')
51point AF: The fastest AF system Nikon makes for DX. Incredibly accurate shooting sports / action. Makes the D7000 AF feel like a D3100 (or D5200 to be exact )
Better Build: The D7000 has a good build quality... The D7100 has an excellent build quality (comparable to the D800).
The only thing the D7000 and D7100 share is the 7 in the name. The only reason to by the D7000 is because it costs 1/2 the price of the D7100.
They feel different: The grip on the D7100 is deeper and wider. I find it easier to hold the D7100 then the D7000.
The buttons are placed different: Take a look at the back of both. The D7100 has movie record button moved to the top of the camera. The AE-L/AF-L button is moved farther to the right on the D7100 (Making AF-ON easier). The focus selecor lock is moved... Basically the back of the D7100 is more like the back of the D600/D610.
24mp: There is a huge difference between 16mp and 24mp when it comes to pixel density. (cropping, sharpness, 'crisp-ness')
51point AF: The fastest AF system Nikon makes for DX. Incredibly accurate shooting sports / action. Makes the D7000 AF feel like a D3100 (or D5200 to be exact
)Better Build: The D7000 has a good build quality... The D7100 has an excellent build quality (comparable to the D800).
The only thing the D7000 and D7100 share is the 7 in the name. The only reason to by the D7000 is because it costs 1/2 the price of the D7100.
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I have both the D7000 and the D7100, and while there are definitely features I like better on the D7100, there is really not a tremendous difference between the two cameras when it comes to the end product.
24 -vs- 16 MP. ok fine, if you are convinced that more is always better, then sure. but, how much cropping are you going to do that you will really notice a difference?
if you do a LOT of heavy cropping, you might actually need the extra MP's, otherwise, I think you will find the IQ of both camera pretty similar.
the lack of the AA filter on the D7100 was big news, but I do not personally think it is such a huge game changer that the D7100 becomes a "must have" over the D7000.
51 -vs 39 AF points. same principle as the MP really. is 51 points technically better? yea. are you going to suddenly get shots you were never able to get before? probably not. I mostly shoot single point focus so the differences were negligible. you do get more points to choose from, and a better area AF spread. the D7100 AF system IS an improvement over the D7000, but again, I don't consider it to be some monumental super upgrade.
Misc. button placements. eh, its pretty much the same deal anytime you get a new body. there always seems to be SOMETHING that gets moved around. easy enough to adjust to with a little practice.
the D7100 is built a little better, it feels a little heftier, and does have some decent upgrades from the D7000. I would certainly never put anyone off of buying one, I love mine. that being said, I don't really think there is a HUGE difference between the two cameras. neither does a few review sites.
Snapsort
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both of those review sites placed the D7000 and D7100 pretty close, and while the D7100 rated slightly higher on both places, the D7000 was not very far behind.
this only matters of course, if you care about what review and comparison sites have to say. I like to use them just for comparing specs and features.
Both cameras are a pretty good upgrade to your D3100, and the built in focus motor in either camera will open up a lot of older AF and AF-D pro glass at very affordable prices. To ME, the built in focus motor is the most significant upgrade, and the one that will yield you the biggest gains. the D7000 is selling at some record lows right now with the D7100 and D600 being recently released, so there are some amazing deals to be had on it.
like wise for the D7100, with a lot of people rushing to go FF with the D600 and D610. It will mostly come down to your budget. If you can find a D7100 for only a little more than you can get a D7000 for, i would say go for it. If you find an amazing deal on a D7000 with low clicks somewhere, i dont think you would be wrong for grabbing it.
24 -vs- 16 MP. ok fine, if you are convinced that more is always better, then sure. but, how much cropping are you going to do that you will really notice a difference?
if you do a LOT of heavy cropping, you might actually need the extra MP's, otherwise, I think you will find the IQ of both camera pretty similar.
the lack of the AA filter on the D7100 was big news, but I do not personally think it is such a huge game changer that the D7100 becomes a "must have" over the D7000.
51 -vs 39 AF points. same principle as the MP really. is 51 points technically better? yea. are you going to suddenly get shots you were never able to get before? probably not. I mostly shoot single point focus so the differences were negligible. you do get more points to choose from, and a better area AF spread. the D7100 AF system IS an improvement over the D7000, but again, I don't consider it to be some monumental super upgrade.
Misc. button placements. eh, its pretty much the same deal anytime you get a new body. there always seems to be SOMETHING that gets moved around. easy enough to adjust to with a little practice.
the D7100 is built a little better, it feels a little heftier, and does have some decent upgrades from the D7000. I would certainly never put anyone off of buying one, I love mine. that being said, I don't really think there is a HUGE difference between the two cameras. neither does a few review sites.
Snapsort
DxOMark
both of those review sites placed the D7000 and D7100 pretty close, and while the D7100 rated slightly higher on both places, the D7000 was not very far behind.
this only matters of course, if you care about what review and comparison sites have to say. I like to use them just for comparing specs and features.
Both cameras are a pretty good upgrade to your D3100, and the built in focus motor in either camera will open up a lot of older AF and AF-D pro glass at very affordable prices. To ME, the built in focus motor is the most significant upgrade, and the one that will yield you the biggest gains. the D7000 is selling at some record lows right now with the D7100 and D600 being recently released, so there are some amazing deals to be had on it.
like wise for the D7100, with a lot of people rushing to go FF with the D600 and D610. It will mostly come down to your budget. If you can find a D7100 for only a little more than you can get a D7000 for, i would say go for it. If you find an amazing deal on a D7000 with low clicks somewhere, i dont think you would be wrong for grabbing it.
TheLost
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Thank your for summing up my problem with most D7000 vs. D7100 comparisons.
"Eh.. 39 vs. 51 Af points.. who needs em"
"blah.. 16mp is just like 24mp"
"A camera is a camera is a cramera..."
Based on your comments the OP would be fine with a D5100 (same sensor as the D7000) or D5200 (same Auto Focus system as the D7000)... and its probably true.
Heck... replace the word 'D7000' in the comments above with 'Canon 70D' and the argument still works.... but it isn't very helpful.
Unlike D3100 -> D3200 or D5100 -> D5200 -> D5200 updates... The D7000 and D7100 share nothing other then the same battery.
Tailgunner
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There, I straitened it out a little for you.
Anyhow, I originally planned on buying a D7000 as an upgrade for my D3100 but the wife got me a D7100 as a gift instead. In my opinion, this really comes down to budget. If you can afford a D7100, I say buy it. If you're on a tighter budget, you really can't go wrong with a D7000. Having upgraded from a D3100 my self to a D7100, I can say you will wished you had done it sooner!
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I think you obviously did little more than glance at my post, or else you would have written a slightly more intelligent reply to it.
I believe i was pretty clear in my feelings that the D7100 was an all around better camera than the D7000, but it is NOT a massive upgrade jump as if someone were to go from a D3100 to a D600. As for your statement about the D5xxx series...this is proof enough that you didnt actually read my post, or you would have noticed the part where I said that the built in AF motor is the most significant upgrade as far as i am concerned.
just how much better IS the 51 AF points than 39? again, i said it was a better AF system, just not some MASSIVE game changer.
as for the MP count, once again I stated that the extra MP and lack of AA filter on the D7100 was in fact better, just not the humongous quantum leap that some people seem to feel it is. I actually believe my hypothesis on the comparisons seem to be shard by both snapsort AND DxOmark. (provided you believe those types of sites....which I also previously mentioned)
so...lets recap exactly what i said in my previous post.
1: the 24mp sensor is better than the 16mp sensor, but you might not notice any HUGE improvements on your final product, unless you crop a lot. not everyone does.
2: the 51 pt AF system is better than the 39 pt AF system, but it isn't going to magically get you the shots just because you have it.
3: the built in focus motor in both the D7000 and D7100, in my opinion, is the biggest upgrade over the D3100 in relation to having a much bigger choice of lenses that will AF on the camera. (AF and AF-D lenses)
4: the D7100 is overall a better camera than the D7000, and while I recommend a D7100 if you can budget it in, the D7000 is still a very capable camera.
soooo....please explain to me where i went wrong? 'cause im just not seeing it.
overall, I think i made a relatively good comparison of the two cameras.
also, I never mentioned the D5xxx series simply for the fact that the OP specifically asked about the D7000 and D7100.
if you don't care about the on board focus motor, the D5200 would certainly be a viable option.
TheLost
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In bold....
There is a HUGE difference between the two cameras...
I spent 3 years (nov 2010 - march 2013) with the D7000 shooting ~1k images each week (indoors and out.. rain, snow & sun). The D7100 is a completely different beast then the D7000.
I agree with you that they both take good pictures... and you'd be hard pressed to tell a picture taken with either one. But that can be said for all of Nikon's DSLR's.
The D7100 is a more capable camera then the D7000.
TheLost
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Not true.. The D5200 has the AF system from the D7000... not the D7100. The only other cameras that have the same AF system as the D7100 are the D4 and D800.
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