I always research all the equipment I bring into my business. Hence the D2H I choose in 2002 along with the 70-200mm 2.8. For my 1st printer I choose the Canon 9000 series. My choices have always been perfect but when I saw that the d7000 has video and the pixels are larger? I wondered if it would be worth my time inregards to offering video. I apologize for asking for your research opinion. I know it's up to me to make the right decision. Thank you all so much, Rita
Don't defend asking. I am definitely asking opinions and having a hell of a time with my upcoming upgrade and I know equipment WELL. I have a 1d3 that I rarely use anymore. I have a 5d2 that I really love to hate. You are absolutely right to take a look at EVERY aspect and get opinions on it other than the technical specs. Specs are specs. Real life use is really different than what it "looks like" in specs.
As a matter of fact I was dead set against the 7D which is now the camera I use most often. Why? The specs. Until I got one in my hands and discovered the abilities on it. I have cameras that are worlds better in specs than the 7D. I probably use it more than my 1d3.
Rent the D7000 and see for yourself. My opinion still remains with the upcoming D400 in your situation, but that is ONLY based on the specs. If I had to actually make the decision I now know (after MANY years) that I have to actually use a camera before making a judgement on it.
I actually had some of the much more advanced and big time pro shooters push me to use the 7D INSTEAD of my 1d3. We're talking the guys I get to shoot NFL with here. Not piddly little me shooting high school and college sports.
No doubt the D7000 has a better image sensor, and excluding the just announced D4, has the best video cpability of any other Nikon, but the D7000 is still an entry-level grade camera that lacks many of the other Nikon prosumer camera features and functions that the D300 and D300s have.
But frankly, if you know so little about cameras that you have to ask, the change would likely be very close to transparent.
I agree with MLeek that waiting for the D400(?) is also an option. it would be very foolish of Nikon if the Prosumer grade D400 was not siginificantly more capable than the entry-level D7000.
The announcement of the D4 tells us some of the features the D800 and D400 will have;
I expect the D400 will have -
16.2 MP image sensor
EXPEED 3 image processor
91,000 pixel RGB metering sensor
Video capabilities very similar to the D4
etc.
Keith, I always respect your opinion and knowledge because it is far more vast than mine and incredibly detailed. However, I have to disagree with this one.
As you see in my response above, knowing the specs and what is appropriate on paper was everything I had always based my own opinion on.
It was in black and white right before my eyes and didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out, right?
I discovered that it was black and white in technicality, but in reality there was a big difference. It took a good HARD push from someone who knew the practical use better than I to change my mind.