icemncmth Loc: Oklahoma

I have been using Nikon equipment since I was a kid. My first digital Nikon was a D-90. I really like the camera and still have it. I stepped up to a D-7200 a short while ago and thought I would tell you what I think about the new camera. Now to put things in perspective I am not a professional photographer I do this for my own joy.
I love the hand feel of the D-90 so when I picked up the 7200 it felt pretty much the same in the hand. The controls are slightly different but fall pretty much into the same area. The menu system is almost the same but the 7200 has a few different settings. The 7200 had dual card slots and this is a huge upgrade over the D-90. The slots allow for several different configurations and I’m not going to go into great detail on how they can be setup. I use RAW on both with JPEG on one. Don’t know if that is the best way to use them but it is how I set it up.
The one huge difference between the two is buffer speed. 7200 is so far superior over the D90 it just amazes me. Change the cards to JPEG and the 7200 can flat out take pic after pic with no lag (I have identical fast cards in the dual slots). The D90 will sometime just lag and I was use to it so I never really noticed it. Now I do.
The 7200 with the same lens focuses faster and more consistently. The 90 will “hunt” sometimes and again it was what I was use to it. Picture quality is more down to personal preference. To me in RAW the 7200 captures a better pic to post process. The best way to describe my D90 is it takes a picture closer to a film capture than vs the 7200 that captures a better digital pic. Basically put the D90 for me I could pretty much take the pictures and without post processing hand them to friends and family and they loved them. The 7200 gives me greater flexibility in post processing and that is huge because that allows me to process the pic the way I not only see it in my mind but also my artistic side.
I do prefer the button/dials/switch setup on the 7200. Just easier to do on the fly. Hate the battery charger that comes with the 7200. Just a bad design and really poorly designed to take with you. Better get an extra batter because the charger takes up way too much room.
I could break down the ISO differences ..the white balance difference..etc but in day to day shooting the D90 worked perfectly.
The wifi part of the 7200 I have played with but really don’t use it because it is quicker to pull the card and put the pics on my laptop than trying to do so wirelessly. Using the app on my phone to shoot pics…the remote is a far better option.
If any of you are considering the move from the D90 to the 7200 I can say I really do like the 7200. Once using it I can really tell the age of the D90. They both take great pics, but the 7200 gives me more to work with in the end. If you are not into post processing then the D90 is perfect if you like to have a better palette to work with the 7200 is superior.
Just my opinion and the pros can tell you way more than I could every tell you.

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

Very good comments. I recently bought a D7000 to replace my D90 and see the same results. If I had a choice today it would be the D7200 but the D7--- series is really great for us serious amateurs.

icemncmth Loc: Oklahoma

Actually the only reason I purched the 7200 over the 7100 was buffer speed. I'm not sure but I do think that was the main difference between the two cameras. Oh..I also ended up getting a really good deal on my 7200 so the price difference was minimal. Both are excelent cameras.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Interesting comparison. But I guess I don't really understand how the D90, using older technology and a lower pixel count can take better images in JPEG, whereas the D7200 needs more post processing. I would think that the D7200 would just take images that are overall better in every respect. Or have I missed something? FWIW, I had a D90, but gave it to my grandson who does marvelous things with it.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I just jumped in the deep-end, for the first time, and ordered a D7100 refurb body to, not replace, but supplement my FE2 film body. Never had a digital that wasn’t a pocket point-and-shoot, so I’ve got a learning curve ahead. Example: I know nothing about “white balance”.

I went for the D7100 as the deal I got on Amazon (through Adorama) was about the same as a D90 body would have been, and about $600 less than a D7200. Would have loved the better buffer on the D7200, but I didn’t think that it was worth that much more to me to have, considering my previous “buffer” on the FE2 was my right thumb. 3 fps, tops! So, the D7100 will be like stepping out of a Sopwith Camel and into an F15E.

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

I think the buffer speed on my D7000 is pretty well related to the speed of the cards. As long as you have a number higher than 10, you should be able to keep up with the best of them. Anything faster with the Ch setting and a big fast card and you should shoot movies. I am just getting into shooting 10 exposures with one push of the button in a sports setting. Pretty thrilling to hear that shutter click at that speed. IMHO.

icemncmth Loc: Oklahoma

More pixels doesn't equate to better picture quality. All it does is add more information in the digital image. It gives you more information to process. Does a 8x10 film camera take better pics than a 35mm or is there just more information on the negative?

I read a lot of reviews online before I purchased the 7200 and several of the reviews stated that the D90 took more eye pleasing pics. I was more interested in what I can do in post processing.

The 7200 won't make me a better photographer.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

No, the camera doesn't make the photographer, to be sure. I am currently debating whether to get a D7200 or go mirrorless. But like you, I like the feel of the D7200 and the placement of the controls. Perhaps that comes from having had the D90 before. I guess I would have a hard time discerning the IQ between the D90 and the D7200. I appreciate your review and comparison, though. Good info

icemncmth Loc: Oklahoma

I agree..I have an FE2 sitting on my desk and love that camera. The cost difference between the 7200 vs 7100 would have pushed me more to the 7100. Most probably should get the 7100 and use the extra cash for a prime lense.

Bill_de Loc: US

If you ever used 'indoor' film and 'outdoor' film, you already know something about white balance. In digital you either let the camera determine which film it wants to be, or you choose for yourself based on the light you are shooting under.

Like ISO, you no longer have to change white balance, and you have many, many, choices.

Shooting RAW you can even change it after the shot.

Welcome to the world of digital.

icemncmth Loc: Oklahoma

Quote" Buffer depth 7200 * 18 Raw, 100 JPEG 7100 6 Raw, 50 JPEG"

I buddy of mine has the 7100 and we compared buffer with identical cards and lenses. If you are shooting action shots a lot then the 7200 wins hands down. Now you have to have fast cards.

icemncmth Loc: Oklahoma

I almost went mirrorless but I have XL large hands. I picked several up and really like them but they felt small and I had a hard time working them. They felt cramped to me. I would have gone full frame but honeslty this is a hobby for me and really can't justify the cost of a FF.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Liked your comparison. As for me went from a D70s to a D3300. Was looking at the D5200 with older version of 18-55 lens and and 3100 with two kit lenses. The 5200 cost the same as the 3300 while the 3100 was $50 less. Was going to get the 5200 until I had the chance to hold and play with all three. Wow - what a difference. The 3300 felt so much more comfortable in my hands than the other two. This was my biggest complaint about my 70s. Before I bought the 70s had a N80 and it was and still is the best feeling camera to hold that I have ever owned. That is until I held the 3300. All of this is to say that how a camera feels in you hands can't be underestimated. I still wonder how many people would buy something different if they had a chance to hold the cameras before making the purchase.

icemncmth Loc: Oklahoma

I agree 100%. I have large hands so the 7200 fits me perfectly. I wouldn't suggest the camera if you have smaller hands. Weight is another factor. Some just can't handle the weight of a larger camera.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

It's a hobby for me, too, so I can't justify the extra cost of a FF camera and system, either. It's expensive enough as it is.