There has been a gap of around two years between the launch of the Nikon D7100 and the arrival of its replacement, and at first glance, the new D7200 appears to be more of a minor upgrade rather than a fundamental redesign.
The D7200 has a sensor with a resolution of 24.2 million pixels, which slightly improves over the D7100’s sensor resolution of 24.1 million pixels. However, the camera’s body is essentially the same as the D7100; it has the same weight, proportions, and viewfinder.
Nikon D7200 Features
The Nikon D7200 is similar to its predecessor in that it does not include an anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor. This is an innovation that was aimed to generate photos that are crisper and that represent tiny details more accurately.
When photographing fine textures or patterns, anti-aliasing filters prevent moiré, also known as interference effects. However, Nikon stated at the time of the D7100’s launch that the high pixel density of its sensor would make it unlikely to suffer from any moire patterning, and we have not seen any reports from users suggesting that it is a problem.
The Expeed 3 processor previously housed within the camera has been replaced with the Expeed 4, a newer and more powerful model. This is just one of the considerable advancements made compared to the D7100.
The D7200 has the same frame rate as the D7100, which is either six frames per second at full resolution or seven frames per second when using the 1.3x crop mode. However, due to the faster processor, the buffering capacity has been improved, which was one of the most disappointing aspects of the previous model.
Nikon D7200 Build Quality
It is clear that Nikon exerted a lot of effort to make the D7200 appear and feel like a high-quality piece of equipment, and their efforts paid off: the camera feels and handles like a more costly model, such as the D610 or the D750.
The front and rear grip feature coatings with a soft textured pattern that makes the camera feel safe and comfortable. Your forefinger and thumb sit naturally on the shutter release and the rear scrolling dial, respectively; it feels like a good camera to hold. Your middle finger fits neatly underneath the protrusion for the shutter release button, and your forefinger fits neatly underneath the bow for the shutter release button.
The D7100 and the D7200 include weatherproofing, enabling you to use the camera with complete assurance in a wide range of environments when the weather is less than perfect. So even while it is not entirely up to the caliber of a professional camera like the Nikon D810, the camera has an aura of high quality and robustness because of the weatherproofing that it features.
Nikon D7200 Autofocus
It was the first Nikon DX-format (APS-C) camera a couple of years ago, but the D7200 can focus at as low as -3EV. This is made possible by the improved MultiCAM 3500 II 51-point autofocusing system. This is a tried-and-true AF system that’s been inherited from full-frame models that are higher up in the Nikon range.
The autofocus module has 15 cross-type sensors and a single center sensor sensitive to f/8. Because of this, the autofocus system may be used with telephoto lenses and teleconverter combinations where the highest possible aperture is f/8. However, this is a severe possibility when considering more recent superzoom lenses.
When using the Single AF mode, the D7200 can deliver an immediate and precise focus. Additionally, the D7200’s performance in terms of subject tracking won’t leave you wanting anything.
The metering sensor that the D7200 uses to analyze the scene and determine which area of the frame it should be tracking is getting on in years, but it still performs a pretty good job overall. Unfortunately, the sensor has 2016 pixels and is getting close to being somewhat obsolete.
Nikon D7200 Performance
The Matrix (all-purpose) metering system produces well-exposed photographs in most settings, and it even deals with some scenarios with a prominent contrast range.
The automated white balance technology is adaptable since it can work effectively in various lighting circumstances. It performs almost perfectly regardless of whether it is daytime or cloudy outside. Because it produces results that are a touch on the warm side when used under artificial lighting, we suggest either moving to a WB setting that is more suited for the conditions (such as Tungsten) or taking a white balance setting explicitly tailored to your needs.
As was just said, this camera has a far higher burst depth than its predecessor, the D7100. The D7200’s EXPEED 4 processor enables much-improved performance compared to its predecessor, which was only capable of collecting JPEGs for a couple of seconds worth of footage before the buffer got full.
Using the Fine JPEG-only quality level for shooting, you can take around 50 pictures before the buffer fills up. This equates to approximately 9 seconds of shooting time, providing plenty of possibilities to catch the action.
Nikon D7200 Image Quality
Because of our experience with the Nikon D5500, we know that the combination of a sensor with 24.2 million pixels and a processor with Expeed 4 is excellent. Therefore, I was anticipating stunning results from the D7200 and wasn’t disappointed.
This camera, like the one that came before it, the D7100, is geared for amateur photographers who are likely to wish to capture a wide variety of topics. As a result, the camera has to be a versatile all-rounder that can adapt to various handling requirements and shooting settings.
When seen immediately from the camera, JPEG photographs offer excellent color vibrancy, with vivid colors that appear captured in their natural state. Even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, the colors still have a pleasant warmth and saturation, even though they are vibrant and striking when sufficient light is present.
Detail is also very well resolved, with almost no smoothing discernible in photographs captured at lower sensitivities (such as ISO 100 or 200) when examined at a magnification of one hundred percent.
Nikon D7200 Specs
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
|---|---|
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Other resolutions | DX: 4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000; 1.3x crop: 4800 x 3200, 3600 x 2400, 2400 x 1600 |
| Image ratio w h | 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Expeed 4 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600, expands to 102400 (black and white only) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 102400 |
| White balance presets | 12 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal, basic |
| File format | JPEG (EXIF v2.3)Raw (Nikon NEF, 12 or 14-bit, lossless compressed or compressed) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive view. |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 51 |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Screen/viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 1,228,800 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT-LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Exposure modes | Aperture PriorityAutoAuto (flash off)Manual (M)Programmed auto with flexible program (P)Scene ModesShutter-PriorityUser |
| Scene modes | Autumn ColorsBeach / SnowBlossomCandlelightChildClose-upDusk / DawnFoodLandscapeNight LandscapeNight PortraitParty / IndoorPet PortraitPortraitSportsSunsetSpecial Effects Mode |
| Built-in flash | Yes (Pop-up) |
| Flash Range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, auto FP high-speed sync, auto w/redeye reduction, fill flash, rear-curtain sync, rear-curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow sync, off |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Drive modes | Single-frame [S] mode continuous low-speed [CL]Continuous high-speed [CH]Quiet Shutter ReleaseSelf-timer modeMirror-up [Mup] mode |
| Continuous drive | 6.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 seconds) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weighted spot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes (3 shots in 1-stop increments) |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Videography notes | 1080/60p and 50p only in 1.3x crop mode |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (two slots) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | with NFC |
| Remote control | Yes (Wired, wireless, or via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes (Water and dust resistant) |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery and charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 1110 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 765 g (1.69 lb / 26.98 oz) |
| Dimensions | 136 x 107 x 76 mm (5.35 x 4.21 x 2.99″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | Optional |
| GPS notes | GP-1 |
Nikon D7200 Verdict
Suppose you want to upgrade from an entry-level model. In that case, the Nikon D7200 is an excellent option because it is one of the best enthusiast DSLRs currently available. It provides dependable performance, an outstanding autofocus system, an extensive feature set, and a superb sensor. So even though it’s getting on in years, its excellent value for the money makes it well worth the investment.
