DSLR Reviews

The new 24.2-megapixel Nikon D7200 replaces the D7100, which came out in 2013, and offers several upgrades and modernizations to that popular APS-C-sensor-based enthusiast DSLR.

New features on the Nikon D7200 include a more efficient image buffer, an upgraded Expeed 4 processor, WiFi and NFC, and improved video modes and added shooting options. Other than that though, the D7200’s specs remain essentially the same as its predecessor, except for the ability to use higher ISO speeds up to ISO 25,600 in standard settings (which was the “push” offered by the D7100). In addition, ISO can be expanded in the D7200 to 102,400 equivalent; however, those push settings are restricted to Monochrome mode.

First Impressions

When I first got the Nikon D7200 test camera and lens (AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR) I showed it to a couple of photographers and the first question was: why didn’t Nikon incorporate a swiveling LCD monitor on back of the camera? I checked around the web and the common wisdom is that a swivel monitor would decrease the ability to protect this unit from dust, water spay etc. in an otherwise well-sealed body.

Frankly, I’ve become spoiled by using cameras with tiltable screens. They’re great for framing shots when shooting low to the ground, or for holding the DSLR up high to shoot over crowds and not have make it a complete "Hail Mary" photo. I missed having an articulating screeon on the D7200, although there are other compensations in the specs.

While the Nikon D7200 uses essentially the same image sensor as the previous model – Nikon says the chip has been “slightly optimized” in the new camera – it still offers a lot of resolution for a DX-format DSLR: 24.2MP, APS-C CMOS sensor, and no low pass filter. 

There’s also a 9-step bracket (+/- 5EV); a large 3.2-inch LCD for Live View still and video; a pentaprism optical finder with 100% field of view; six frames per second shooting rate at full resolution (which drops to a bit under 4 fps with Live View and goes up to 7 fps when using the “crop” framing mode via the optical finder); the ability to mount a very large range of past and present F-mount lenses; two SD card slots with various configuration options; depth of field preview capability; a highly responsive and flexible AF setup; good microphone sensitivity and adjustability; and somewhat reasonable size and weight (5.4x4.2x3.0 inches, just shy of 24 oz, sans lens).

All in all, not bad set of features for a DSLR that costs just under $1,200 (body only). Let’s take a closer look at the Nikon D7200 in this field review.

In the Hand

Users will not confuse this camera with a mirrorless model, as the Nikon D7200 has a definitive DSLR shape with the bulk that entails, albeit in a relatively compact, although not exactly lightweight body.

The D7200’s most prominent feature is the protruding right-hand grip, atop which sits the shutter release and a few other controls, which is complemented by a “thumb rail” on the camera back: this makes the camera easy to carry and firm in hand. Unfortunately, for me, the grip is too close to the lens mount collar and cramps the fingers that naturally fall within the gap when shooting. I adjusted to this as I used the camera and found it didn’t get in the way for everyday use.

Nikon has perfected the control dial, located top/left, and I appreciated the locking feature that prevents shifting of settings, also found on the menu selection OK switch. The combo dial handles exposure modes, effects, and two user-defined setups on the upper portion, as well as drive modes and self-timer in a ring at the base.

An LED panel on the right is a most welcome guide to selecting commonly used parameters, an aid in what is supposed to be the spontaneous nature of the format, and something many mirrorless and some entry-level DSLR models sorely lack. The body is well sealed, according to Nikon, and composed of magnesium alloy construction with some plastic and rubberized sections on the exterior. The battery compartment door feels a bit less hardy than I would like, but the mic, headphone, download and HDMI ports are covered with snap-close rubberized covers.

In the Field

Perusing the CD-only instruction book I was struck by the large number of intriguing options: time-lapse movie shooting, the 9-step bracket potential, Dusk/Dawn Scene mode, Live View preview of so-called Special Effects, “extending” the focal length of the lens in use through a 1.3X crop (not digital zoom), AF-A focusing mode, HDR performance, “Flat” Picture Control, and Auto-D-Lighting bracketing.

My first job, however, was setting the camera up for “straight” shooting. This means making choices for exposure modes, framing rates, image size and quality, ISO, assigning the function of each SD card slot and so forth, The menu is well thought out and easy to navigate, and I give high marks to Nikon’s thoughtful layout of controls.

My first step with Nikon DSLRs is to go into the Custom settings and segregate AF from AE Lock functions, assigning the AF/AE lock button to AF Lock and the shutter release to AE lock. I then set up autofocusing.

There are numerous patterns and AF target areas you can choose, which for most will be a matter of taste and shooting style, mine being the ease with which I can quickly choose and lock my prime point of focus for depth of field control. For me, that means Normal-area AF for selective focus or perhaps 9-point for wider area vistas; sports and nature photographers probably should check out the 21- and 51-point dynamic-AF options, particularly when shooting in continuous advance mode. For studies I use AF-S (single) and for candids, AF-C (continuous). Once set up, I headed out to test the camera in the field.

Performance

I worked with the D7200 for about two weeks and shot in a variety of locales and under different lighting conditions. My comfort level grew daily as did my confidence that the camera would deliver what I wanted. I was very impressed with the speedy autofocus and the ability to control depth of field, as well as the fast framing rate that came through when photographing a soccer match.

Those high ISOs are exciting and for me opened up some interesting street candid possibilities, where I set the camera at 51,200, the exposure mode to aperture priority at f/22, and focus to manual. This yielded a depth of field at 27mm that seemed to be about 3 feet to infinity, which made sighting and focusing unnecessary: in short, a very spontaneous street camera.

The imaging options are legion and the menus are quite easy to navigate, and using every trick in the book, including all the Custom setups, might be a fun exploration for a rainy day indoors. However, I tend to hone in on a few setups to make the camera “predictable” and spontaneous when I am shooting in the field, and stick with them.

Things like in-camera HDR, D-Lighting, Special Effects, etc. are available in the Nikon D7200 if you want them, but that’s a matter for your taste and visual disposition. I do have to mention that the bracketing range –you can use 1/3 or ½ EV gaps in 9 steps—is very easy to set up and valuable for both HDR and exposure tweaking of ephemeral moments.

In the Lab

As part of the Nikon D7200 test I delved into lab results from Betternet, Shutterbug’s TIPA affiliated testing lab. In summary, the D7200 showed a very good performance of the white balance system; low color errors (except for a boost in blue saturation), excellent sharpness results (3941 lines per picture height, nearly the nominal resolution of 4000 lines); and very good noise results (up to ISO 6400 and slightly higher color noise up to 25,600).

The D7200’s Dynamic range is excellent at 11.5 f-stops at reasonable ISO settings: this drops as expected in the higher realms. You can read all the lab results on the Nikon D7200 in our full review of the camera in an upcoming issue of Shutterbug magazine.

Final Thoughts

The D7200 is a camera that offers numerous ways to alter and interpret images in-camera, but most of the extra processing and effects on offer within the camera can be easily done by simply shooting Raw (NEF) and putting in some post-processing time later. Does this make some of those extras window dressing? Perhaps, but as a fast, responsive, quality image-making machine, the D7200 earns its DX flagship honors.

Pricing

The Nikon D7200 sells for $1199 (body only). Add the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens, with which this test was conducted, and it’s $1499, or $200 less than if you opted to buy the lens separately. (Note: Effective focal length range of the kit lens on the crop-sensor based D7200 is 28-210mm.)