One year ago, I decided to purchase a digital single-lense reflex camera, a wish that grew over the years with borrowed point-and-shoot and bridge cameras. Time to review the decision – (still) from an amateur viewpoint.
As described in the photography section, I bought the Nikon D7200 as a class-leading representative of the ambitioned APS-C sensor size market on a budget. So far, this decision has been prooven excellent, despite the growing selection, especially with mirrorless systems.
So, I would do it again! Here is why.
Point 1
Handling, grip and overall feeling of the Nikon D7200 is extraordinarily good compared to everything else I had in my hands. After some time, you wouldn’t want to miss the extensive button selection on the body.
Point 2
The viewfinder. So much better than looking on a potentially crappy display, and I never use Live View except for videos (I took only one) and when I work with a tripod and have a lot of time.
Point 3
Overall quality for budget. I have already spent too much money in gear – that’s what I thought. Then again, you compare with other models and manufacturers, and the flexibility, compatible products, quality and pricing is absolutely convincing, not last because Nikon F mount is Nikon F mount is Nikon F mount. So far, I bought 3 DX lenses and one FX lense, but always had in mind that someday I will switch to the real thing, at the moment this would be the Nikon D750.
Sidenote: I am happy with my camera, but if you can afford it, go full frame.
Point 4
I bought the kit lense with the longer reach, the DX Nikkor 18-140mm F/something boring. Good companion, but does not even get near to what the Nikon D7200 can provide. This becomes obvious with the DX Nikkor 35mm F1.8 prime. As of today, after purchasing the Sigma DC 17-55mm F2.8, this lense is what I should have bought right away. Results are fantastic, constant aperture turned out to be extremely helpful – with that one I shoot manual with limited auto ISO at 1250 only, and it’s no big deal.
Point 5
Technical stuff. ISO performance, absolutely not bad, but today I know better. ISO is the joker! You have a high quality sensor that goes beyound, say, 6000 ISO without significant deterioration? You are a free man or woman with a camera. Everything else is technical bla bla. APS-C vs. full frame, mirrorless vs. SLR, that is just noise. Sure, you need a sufficiently good lense, and a wide aperture for artistical freedom. If you have a superior sensor, that’s where you are ahead of others and keep on shooting where other can’t go. And the smaller the sensor the more expensive and difficult it is to build one that catches up with it’s bigger competitors. And who pays for that?
I guess, with lenses it is a bit of the same thing. The DX lenses are usually cheaper and the demand for the target picture area is smaller compared to FX, but optical quality is optical quality. And noone will pay for a class A DX lense. Thank you, F mount (again), this problem is not a Nikon problem. A good lense for the APS-C Nikon cameras has an FX label.
Contra-side
Point 1
There is literally nothing to say. I would love to see a better sensor with acceptable ISO to 2500 or even higher on this up to 1,000 € body, but whatever.
Point 2
The camera does not fit in my pocket, I hear often. And I can’t take it on a hiking tour, it’s too heavy. Not listening.
Point 3
Capture NX-D, the free Nikon NEF/RAW converter and post-processing software. That’s not directly a Nikon D7200 problem, but I should have never used it and instead I should have bought Adobe Lightroom from the very beginning. That was quite a mistake. Add a license to your budget, no matter what camera you are chasing.