NikonD7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR (Body Only)

I had to make a major decision before buying the D7100: FX or DX. I have been dithering for quite a while and have a hodge podge of Nikon lenses. FX lenses include the 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/4.0, and a TC-14E II teleconverter. DX lenses include the 10-24mm and the 85mm VR micro. My belief is that DX was the right way to go for me because 1) good DX cameras produce superb photos, 2) I can buy less expensive lenses because the pretend focal lengths are larger, 3) only the sweetest part of FX lenses (their centers) will be used, 4) DX camera bodies will remain less expensive, and 5) my default print size is only 13"x19". This introductory paragraph is not to convince you that DX is the right way to go but to explain why I bought this camera instead of a D600 or D800.Let me start by saying that I love this camera! Nikon managed to do a few stupid things that I'll mention below but let's talk about the positives first. The shutter release - including focusing, VR, and metering - is so fast that it's hard to press just half way to lock readings. I'm sure there is some shutter lag but I couldn't measure it. Focus is spot on with all my lenses and I have not used the capability to do individual lens adjustments. Other positives as reported by most other reviewers: camera feel (solid); good controls; sensible blend between menus, buttons, and dials; viewfinder setup and image size; etc.I have read some other reviewers that say this camera isn't very sharp. Not so! If you have moved up from a 10-12 megapixel to this one, you can be fooled as I was. I typically pixel peep in photoshop with the image at 100%, i.e., one picture pixel per one monitor pixel. You are looking at a much smaller piece of real estate in this mode when you have twice as many pixels per unit area and that means that you are looking at smaller, less contrasty details. Remember, manufacturer's MTF curves pretty much measure contrast as an approximation to sharpness. Of course the pictures look "oh my god" sharper when you print them since they have twice as many pixels per unit area on paper.I shoot 14-bit raw images with loseless compress and rarely use the 1.3 crop mode though I've mapped crop mode to one of the external buttons. Warning, the full-sized raw files are 25-30 megabytes and that means you can only store about 35 files per gigabyte of hard disk. So make your plans carefully before buying your next large pixel-count camera. Further, photoshop 16-bit psd files from D7100 images take 137MB on disk. I think that I would have bought a less capable camera if I were not shooting raw and running a 16-bit post process. Raw and 16-bit processing are not snobbery, rather they allow me to make up for virtually every type of error at picture-taking time except bad focus, bad subject selection, and excessive camera shake. That for me is the big advantage of digital photography but the D7100 or any other large pixel-count sensor makes you pay in disk storage.Now lets talk briefly about a few snafus. SubjectDistance is a standard Exif parameter and used to be generated in all Nikon DSLR images. ApproximateSubjectDistance is not a standard EXIF parameter but D7100 firmware generates it instead of SubjectDistance! Why is that bad? Three reasons: 1) photoshop will not display the field, 2) ViewNX 2 - Nikon's own software - dosen't display this nonstandard field either, and 3) Nikon support staff will not comment on whether or not either, neither, or both software and firmware will be repaired. The simplest way to recover the information is to load the sidecar file created by photoshop into a text editor and search on "distance" and read a fractional number. I can also convert that distance from metric if I like using a pencil or a calculator. Only a diseased mind could cause such nonsense.Another snafu reported by many in these reviews is the smallish memory buffer that limits rapid shooting. Memory is really cheap - I'd guess that for a two dollar bill, four times as much memory could have been included. I almost never use multiple shot modes or bracketing; rather my problem arises when my shutter finger gets itchy. This is a rarely occurring issue but the symptom of an outrageously dumb parting decision.I have rated this camera 5 stars in spite of these silly design flaws. However, I'd pay money to enter a raffle to paddle Nikon suits who impose these decisions. (The other manufacturers are just as lame.) It's a great camera, impressive in so many ways. Picture quality is great and the camera is capable enough to allow top-notch image capture despite a huge number of tough environmental conditions.

Nikon has finally done it! I tried the D7000 and made numerous comparisons with other camera brands, but for the money and name, you can't go wrong with the D7100. The added "reach" of the additional crop factor (1:3), and the huge new (3.2 in.) display screen give this entry an extra boost above the competition. Added to this the 14 bit RAW file at 24.1 MP and you've got a winner for DX shooting that really deserves to be called "Nikon's DX Flagship" in this format; a post-processing Lightroom dream to work with.Right out of the box, Nikon presents itself with distinction; this thing exudes quality and comfort. Factory defaults were right on and presented great pictures instantly. The fast 51 point auto-focusing system with the 15 cross-types really do the job and I was amazed at the speed, even when using a slow and heavy Nikkor 55-300mm lens- see flower shots in customer images.I have been waiting for this model even before it was announced; almost three years now and I'm not disappointed. It would seem that the earlier problems with front/back focusing in some D7000's have been addressed and corrected with this one, as I see very few problems of this sort. I find it amusing that some users forget to adjust the diopter in the viewfinder to their own specific eye needs; each person is slightly different. That should be emphasized in the opening instructions in capital and bold letters, so that everyone gets it "right." Without that, manual focusing will be to all practical purposes impossible.When you get your new camera delivered, there are some important steps to take to insure everything goes the way it should.Carefully unpack your shipment box, taking care to hang onto the original packaging materials in case you are returning it.Charge battery to full charge. Don't fall for the temptation to fiddle with the settings on the camera with a partially charged battery.CHECK VIEWFINDER DIOPTER with lens attached to correct for your shooting eye. Then double check its accuracy.When SD cards are inserted, format them in the camera to acclimate them to the file system. Never format any camera card in your computer. In fact, when copying from card, don't cut and paste any image from the card, just copy and paste. Don't let the computer treat the card as an external hard drive and modify it, use importing software or simply copy and paste files into your picture directory.Start at factory (out-of the box) settings and take some shots. Remember any modifications can be undone by simple formatting the camera back to factory default by pressing and holding the two green buttons on the outside of the camera for two seconds.And lastly, remember that this is a virtual visual computer with a huge array of functions and capabilities that will take some time to understand and learn. Don't get frustrated if your pictures aren't what you would like. Take your time and ask questions. A great site on the web is The Ugly Hedgehog.comHave fun and enjoy this great hobby called photography.