Nikon D7000 or D5100/5200? I have an old Fujifilm S3 Pro and would like to upgrade to a Nikon d7000 or D5100/5200. I would consider myself an early intermediate-level enthusiast. I...

garydharris

I have an old Fujifilm S3 Pro and would like to upgrade to a Nikon d7000 or D5100/5200. I would consider myself an early intermediate-level enthusiast. I have some legacy Nikon lenses that would work with the D7000 but not the D5100/5200.

I have read some reports that the D7000 tends to overexpose photos in daylight, but the D5100 or D5200 does not. Which would you consider the better camera for me?

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

garydharris wrote:

I have an old Fujifilm S3 Pro and would like to upgrade to a Nikon d7000 or D5100/5200. I would consider myself an early intermediate-level enthusiast. I have some legacy Nikon lenses that would work with the D7000 but not the D5100/5200.

I have read some reports that the D7000 tends to overexpose photos in daylight, but the D5100 or D5200 does not. Which would you consider the better camera for me?

I would go for the 7000 if it is affordable mainly because of the internal focus motor, so your legacy lenses would focus assuming they are AF-D.

You can deal with any over/under exposure issues easily, but you can't auto focus a lens without a built in focusing motor on a 5000 series camera.

I went from a D5100 to a D7100 and love the 7100.

You might even shop around for deals on a D7100 - new or refurbed. I have gotten refurbed cameras at Cameta Camera and would have no qualms about one.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I am a Canon shooter but I say go with the D7000 for the focusing motor. You will have a wider choice of lenses. If the exposure problem really exists then take care of it in custom settings on the body or PP. If you don't think you will ever use anything but modern lenses then the D5100/5200 will work fine and save a few dollars for more accessories.

garydharris wrote:

I have an old Fujifilm S3 Pro and would like to upgrade to a Nikon d7000 or D5100/5200. I would consider myself an early intermediate-level enthusiast. I have some legacy Nikon lenses that would work with the D7000 but not the D5100/5200.

I have read some reports that the D7000 tends to overexpose photos in daylight, but the D5100 or D5200 does not. Which would you consider the better camera for me?

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

I have a D7000 and have never had a problem with it overexposing in daylight. It's a great camera, and since you have some legacy glass, it's the obvious choice in my book.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The D7000 offers a whole alphabet of user features over any of the D5X00 series bodies, all of which you would find beneficial as you grow your photographic abilities. The D7000 and the D5100 share the same sensor, but with a different processor, and the end image is quite similar.
As to inherent over-exposure? Over 250,000 shots on my D7000 and never an issue. Problems like that are almost always user induced. Learn the camera you are using and things like that are not an issue for you.
Good luck.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Dngallagher wrote:

I would go for the 7000 if it is affordable mainly... (show quote)

I second this one for exactly the same reasons. Refurbed 7100 from Cameta = a happy camper AND it will probably be a bit cheaper than mine was.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Gary,

I have both cameras using the D7000 as my field camera and the D5100 for my permanent, tripod-mounted macro camera (with a very old manual focus macro lens). They are both great but the D7000 in MHO is awesome. I find the 16 megapixel sensors on both cameras to be more than enough resolution for the magazine work I do (up to double page 11 x 14). If I were making BIG enlargements I'd probably go for a D7100 or a D750 but the D7000/d5100 combo serves my needs well. What ever you decide let us know. Merry Christmas! Take care & ...

MtnMan Loc: ID

garydharris wrote:

I have an old Fujifilm S3 Pro and would like to upgrade to a Nikon d7000 or D5100/5200. I would consider myself an early intermediate-level enthusiast. I have some legacy Nikon lenses that would work with the D7000 but not the D5100/5200.

I have read some reports that the D7000 tends to overexpose photos in daylight, but the D5100 or D5200 does not. Which would you consider the better camera for me?

None of the above. D5300 because it loses the low pass filter and has internal GPS.

The exception is if you have legacy lenses that need an in-camera focus motor.

I'm in the minority but having had both the D7000 and D5100 I'd take any D5xxx over any D7xxx for the lighter weight, articulated screen, and active info screen for settings (doesn't require reading glasses like the unreadable little green screen and doesn't require button hunting).

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

It's a no brainer, the D7000. Wonderful camera at give away prices these days. Over 90,000 captures on mine and still going strong. As mentioned No exposure problems, just user problems. Not to mention you need the internal focusing motor, gives you many more options for lens..

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

I'd go for the D7000/7100. Had the same decisin and went for the D71000.
Awesome.

Dana C Loc: Buhl, Idaho

I would go for the D7000. It has become affordable and can be bought new for a tad over $600.
I have one and haven't been bothered by over exposure. I use Light Room and Photo Shop to adjust almost all my pictures to what I think looks best anyway. The D7000 is a great value and you can't go wrong with it. I would not buy a camera without an internal focus motor. The 5000 series are great camera but for me have the fatal flaw of no motor. There are a ton of great used or refurbished lenses that will work on the D7000 but not on any of the D3000-D5000 series.

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

Dana C wrote:

I would go for the D7000. It has become affordabl... (show quote)

Also for me no internal focus motor is a major flaw.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Dana C wrote:

I would go for the D7000. It has become affordabl... (show quote)

10-4 to all!

:thumbup:

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

garydharris wrote:

I have an old Fujifilm S3 Pro and would like to upgrade to a Nikon d7000 or D5100/5200. I would consider myself an early intermediate-level enthusiast. I have some legacy Nikon lenses that would work with the D7000 but not the D5100/5200.

I have read some reports that the D7000 tends to overexpose photos in daylight, but the D5100 or D5200 does not. Which would you consider the better camera for me?

When I was looking to upgrade and looking at the same options as you, many on this site suggested the D7000 over the D5200. I am glad I listened to them. You won't regret the D7000 with it's internal lens focusing motor and it's weather sealed body. Nikon has a sale right now on refurbished bodies with 10% off their regular prices. Check them out.

2nefoto

the D7000 is clearly a better constructed camera. I use it as a backup to my D700. I have several magazine covers shot with the D7000. If you ask Nikon, I think they will tell you the same thing. The D7000 body is constructed with same materials as the professional level cameras.