Nikon d700 vs. Nikon D7000 - The Verdict

I wanted to keep both cameras.  I told myself that the (d7000) Dx chip will be great for extending my 70-200, that I needed a backup camera for shoots, that I could use the video function for exciting endeavors, and that the cameras could possibly keep each other company in the dark confines of my think tank bag.  Alas, my justifications were burst asunder and I had to choose.  In a perfect world, I keep both.  But the shortage of the d7000 along with my complete lack of necessity for two expensive cameras led me to a hasty conclusion.  The d7000 had to go.

The Nikon d700 is a better camera.  While the colors seem to pop a little more in the d7000, and at low light, they perform similar, when I wrapped my hand around the d700, I knew it was meant to be.  I really like the bigger sensor on the 700, and the viewfinder is like looking into a massive cave with floor to ceiling windows.  These are the reasons that I chose the Nikon d700.  Also, having the big glass now, I did not like shooting on the DX chip.  I dislike the magnification, especially wide.  Sure, having the extra 100 focal length is great on the 70-200, but it just wasn't a strong enough justification for the $1400 I sold the used camera for on Ebay($200 over retail, must be a shortage).  

Without even testing anything from Canon, I am comfortable asserting that the d7000 is the best prosumer camera today.  I am the type of idiot that makes these sort of grandiose claims.  I used a Nikon d300s last year, and it cannot compare to the d7000 except in speed.  The 7000 takes wonderful pictures, and like an aapl earnings call, it beats expectations.  That is probably the coolest thing about it.  I opened it up and expected a better version of the Nikon d90, but it was a different beast entirely.  The Nikon d700 just happens to (still) be a class above the rest.

Here are some d7000 shots I took last weekend during my brief tryst with the camera at Andy and Kim's nuptials.  All natural light, unedited, no flash.

 

 

Photography - Nikon d700 versus Nikon d7000 Review Part 1

Okay, so I have, in my possession, the $1200 Nikon d7000 and the $2400 Nikon d700.  I purchased the d7000 last Friday from Best Buy, and moving up from the Nikon d90, it is a massive leap.  But I will get into that later.

It is funny, really.  I had just bought a Nikon rebate bundle with a Nikon d700 and the 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 before I went to Best Buy.  That was going to be my camera.  I waited for an entire year for Nikon to announce the d800 or d700x or d700s or d700xs or the D70,457.  I got impatient.  I gave up.  I filled my cart just as I had done 50 times before at B&H, except this time, I made the purchase.  So, when I brought home the d7000, it was supposed to be an eBay sale. I had no room for two new purchases in my stable.  First I put it up on eBay.  I started the auction at 1500 and placed the reserve at 2000.  I waited about 15 minutes before I started getting fidgety.  I got real curious about the d7000 as it sat there on my desk.  Just a peak I told myself...

The auction did not last an hour.  I first moved the buy it now to 2500, and than pulled it completely.  You see, when I peaked at the pristine Magnesium alloy d7000 body, my heart filled with lust.  I took it for a spin with my 35mm 1.8.  Wow.  Before I knew it, my d90 was up on eBay, the 18-105 kits lens (bundled with the d7000) was on eBay, and I was making absurd justifications.  Having just dropped quite a bit of money on the d700 bundle, I had no place having eyes for another camera body, but I did.  I would sell the kit lens, sell the d90, and keep the d7000 as a back up camera.  It was done.

The d7000 is a magnificent camera.  Much much better than a Nikon d90 and much better than a Nikon d300s, the d7000 is a low light monster, a 1080p shooting maniac, and a stunner that feels just so right in your hand.  I took it with me everywhere last weekend like a trophy wife.  Weddings, friend's houses, Quizno's.  Always buckling it in to the passenger side seat, and opening the door for it at destinations, I was in love.  But something kept nagging at me.  Something I had done the week before.  Like proposing to an old 7 before falling deeply in love with a young 10, I had made a commitment to the Nikon d700, albeit a rocky one.  Would I keep both?  Does that even make sense?

Well, the Nikon d700 finally arrived.  It was in full entourage mode, flanked by a 70-200vrII 2.8 and a 24-70 2.8.  It looked crazy, sitting there on my living room floor.  Me, 3 boxes, and a Nikon d7000.  It was an odd love triangle, me with these 2 phenomenal machines.  I slowly unboxed the d700 while holy choral music played triumphantly in my mind.

(To be continued)

In the mean time, here are two ISO 6400 pictures, one with each camera.

Nikon d700 ISO 6400 24-70 2.8

Nikon d7000 ISO 6400 24-70 2.8