Nikon announced the new D7100 SLR this evening, the long anticipated replacement for the popular D7000. Like Nikon’s less expensive D5200 and D3200, the D7100 is endowed with a 24 megapixel sensor, but with a twist: the D7100‘s sensor is not veiled by anti-aliasing (AA) filter.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, an AA filter is a layer on the image sensor that traditionally has been used to slightly blur the image as it reaches to the receptors in order to combat “moire”, a type of interference artifact that emerges when photographing fine patterns. However, photographers who place a high value on sharpness and resolution often prefer the crisper images that are produced by sensors lacking AA filters, and Nikon’s first digital SLR to be produced without an AA filter (the D800e) has been tremendously successful. Modern software (and perhaps camera firmware) has made the removal of moire in post-production much more reliable.
Beyond the lack of AA filter, the D7100 carries the modest upgrades over its predecessor (and the D5200). Its new autofocus system contains 51 autofocus points including 15 cross-type points, a slightly larger rear LCD (3.2 inches rather than 3), an EXPEED 3 processor, built-in-HDR processing, and compatibility with the WU-1a wireless adapter. The D7100 also now offers a 1.3x crop mode (this is an additional crop on the already 1.5x cropped sensor) which will allow sports and wildlife photographers to get a little extra reach from their lenses, and faster performance from the camera (7 frames per second).
Much else remains the same, however, including the ISO range (up to 6400), the frame rate (full resolution, 6 fps), dual SD card slots, and 100% viewfinder coverage.
Nikon’s press information explicitly states that the D7100 is built to the same standards of durability as the D300s, suggesting that that venerable camera was probably the last of its line and that the D400 should no longer be expected on the horizon.
The D7100 will be available in March at a cost of $1199.
- It is currently available for pre-order at B&H Photo, HERE, or with the Nikkor 18-105mm VR lens for $1599.
- Or at Amazon.com, for $569.95, and Amazon Prime members will receive free 2-day shipping, as usual.
