Nikon camera for enthusiasts or: Farewell to "Semi-Pro"?

What has before Nikon? When the D90 was available a few years ago, the experts stopped short due to the perfectly balanced and coordinated photo services, the inferior of a D300 in nothing. Nevertheless, at a more affordable price. Here and there has been spared on the processing bit and the then new kit lens 18-105mm delivered (like today) versatility at a good price-performance ratio.
Now the D7100. Neither the successor D7000, nor a substitute that. Nikon D7000 produces the time being and provides the D7100 as a camera for the "upscale enthusiast" on. In the same train but it is also known as the new DX-marketed flagship (and it is also ... see below). This Nikon is actually managed a major coup, because by shifting the DX-format "down" benefits of this same technology from the luxury class, and the best part: The price-performance ratio. For 1000 Euro for the body you not only get the 51 AF-points system from the D4, but also protected against weather and dust outer shell (a combination of plastic and magnesium, which even vs. a weight loss. The D7000 performs ). Likewise, one of the currently best TFT screens with 3.2 inches. Without further specifications rather write off a few arguments for the above:

The processing and handling is matched appealing, elegant and highly functional. The housing is ergonomically perfectly matched addition to the aforementioned dust (even larger) hands, thanks to a slight improvement on the handle and the general feel. Through the additional "i" button can be accessed immediately to important functions. The rest is the Nikon users familiar that unified interface makes here again for joy when operating (new is a 100% view for pressing the OK button during playback. In practice!). Each button is just within reach of the finger. That's still not to be found in the vicinity of the release of the ISO button - how often criticized - plays only a minor role, because there is the possibility of an ISO display in the viewfinder with change over the main command dial, nice! The viewfinder provides virtually 100% coverage and a pleasantly cool blue-gray in the display of information (OLED). Just a great feeling for the enthusiast, after years of plastic suddenly to feel cool metal
---> Professionally!

Performance and image quality are of the highest standard. The autofocus is to -2LV quickly and accurately. The AF points are spread effectively throughout the viewfinder. The camera also offers the option of entering individual lens data for older caliber and to correct any focus deviation. When the 1.3-Crop (quickly adjust over the "i" button or one of the programmable buttons) provides the D7100 7 frames / sec. Only the RAW buffer is somewhat low, no wonder with the resolution. Those located on the new standard level of 24.1MP. Since large amounts of data have to be overcome, especially with a 14-bit color depth the RAWs. What is new? Of course, the lack of AA-filter (low-pass filter to the formation of moiré patterns). At this resolution, such patterns are anyway only marginally and then easy to correct. The extra picture detail, it is definitely worth what I could see at different HDR images also (not the built-in. That is indeed a nice Gimick, but only that. A Gimick). The white balance is always necessary, quickly adapt to the safe side and sub-items of the Autobots. Honorable mention is also the spot white balance on the Live View. Practical! The video mode has also been improved and offers brilliant quality up 30p at 1080p, but of course not comparable to the FX-format full. You can save individual pictures as JPEGs and films with different effect settings. Despite everything, there are absolutely no delays thanks to the latest processor chip. Neither the image reproduction, even at power functions. Never is a "lagging" to feel ... there's very different examples in this price range. Another sign that the D7100 is something deemed not
---> Professionally!

The noise performance ... here the D7100 really explodes the price class. Until ISO 1600 virtually no visible effect. It was not until 3200, the color reproduction and detail resolution suffers slightly. But with adequate light conditions, too, is hardly noticeable, at most 100% image enlargement. 6400 is also passable and 25600 not as bad as feared, of course only in very specific situations require. Actually a worse outcome would have been expected, considering the high resolution. The higher those is, the more difficult the noise reduction. Accordingly, some laboratory test values ​​from magazines cut probably something worse than it would describe the subjective impression. And as I said, this is phenomenal for a DX camera below 1000
---> Professionally!

I would like to highlight even the dynamic range of the camera. What is there in the shadows get even. And that. Without great losses of details, on the contrary, Here is really worth the shooting in RAW 14-bit format. Those who like to dispense with things like Active D-Lighting and prefer the PC that aims to improve shadows for example with Capture NX2, will certainly voted happy with the D7100.

My Vorrezensenten have been pounding other points, there is not much to say. The D7100 is in my eyes a new price-performance king of the DX format and it is exciting to see how the further development of Nikon will be. Especially if the D400 can meet the high expectations and the D7100 surpasses. Or Nikon adopted the professional segment over time completely from the DX format? Anyway, this is here, in fact, a DSLR for enthusiasts.

Not Semi-Pro ----> PRO!