Nikon D7000

Manufacturer: Nikon Type: camera Year introduced: 2010

Overview

The Nikon D7000 was a 16.2-megapixel DX-format DSLR announced in September 2010 that reinvigorated the Nikon underwater photography community. Prior to its release, many Nikon shooters had been considering switching to Canon due to a lack of competitive mid-range models. The D7000 changed that calculus, introducing a significant resolution increase (from the 10-12MP of previous models to 16MP), a new EXPEED 2 processor, a 2,016-pixel RGB metering system, a 39-point autofocus system, 1080p HD video at 24fps, and 14-bit RAW processing (^[1]).

The camera featured a magnesium alloy body with weather sealing, a glass pentaprism with 100% viewfinder coverage, 6fps continuous shooting, 1/320th flash sync speed, and dual SD card slots. It was priced at approximately $1,300, significantly undercutting the Canon 7D while delivering competitive performance (^[2]).

The D7000 became the most-housed camera of its era, with seven manufacturers producing housings: Nauticam, Ikelite, Aquatica, Sea & Sea, Subal, and Hugyfot (plus a Nauticam video variant). Adam Hanlon noted that the D7000 “really got designers’ creative juices flowing” and that all the housings “display significant innovation” (^[3]).

Reviews & Discussion

• ^[4] — Adam Hanlon’s announcement coverage highlighting the camera’s many features relevant to underwater use.
• ^[5] — Alex Mustard’s field review, notable for being published just weeks after the camera started shipping. Nauticam had a dive-ready housing at DEMA 2010, which Mustard tested in Stoney Cove (UK) and the Red Sea. He praised Nauticam for “not only having a housing to show at DEMA, but that the show-housing was dive ready.” The review evaluated the camera in both cold water and tropical conditions. Article (editorial source).
• ^[6] — Adam Hanlon’s comprehensive side-by-side comparison of seven D7000 housings: Nauticam NA-D7000, Ikelite SLR-DC, Aquatica AD7000, Sea & Sea MDX-D7000, Subal ND7000, Nauticam NA-D7000V, and Hugyfot D7000. Testing was conducted at Capernwray Diving Center in the UK using Inon Z240 strobes. Article (editorial source).

Community Discussion

• Nikon D7000 Underwater (139 replies) — The main community thread for the D7000 underwater, initiated when Hanlon shot the camera using the Nauticam housing shown at DEMA, with extensive user discussion of image quality and handling. (forum thread, topic 38794)
• video on D7000 Not for commercial use? (12 replies) — Discussion of Nikon’s video licensing terms for the D7000, which initially appeared to restrict commercial use of video footage. (forum thread, topic 38636)
• Nikon D7000 Firmware Update (8 replies) — Community reports on the v1.2 firmware update, with field testing notes from Iceland. (forum thread, topic 41169)

References

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