D800 or D7100: I currently have a D7000 and am considering upgrading to the Nikon D800 or the D7100. I mostly like taking wildlife pictures and some outdoor landscape. The only...

MtnMan Loc: ID

I currently have a D7000 and am considering upgrading to the Nikon D800 or the D7100. I mostly like taking wildlife pictures and some outdoor landscape. The only portraits I do are of dogs and flowers.

I bought my last two, and most expensive, lenses with the potential upgrade to full frame in mind so either will work.

I'm mostly interested in getting better low light/high ISO performance on highly cropped shots.

Price is a consideration but performance outweighs price. I'd buy the D800 refurbished so it would be about $2,400 vs. $1,200 for a D7100.

KEH is at our local computer store today so I'm going to see what they'd give for my D7000. I'm guessing about $500.

Which would you recommend and why?

country Loc: back woods

MtnMan wrote:

I currently have a D7000 and am considering upgrad... (show quote)

they still have that little screen that you cant see, and dont have articulated screen... stick with your 5100.......

Robeng Loc: California

MtnMan wrote:

I currently have a D7000 and am considering upgrad... (show quote)

My man,

Have you considered the Nikon D600, Adorama has some refurbished ones with factory warranty for $1599.00. No tax and free shipping.

MtnMan Loc: ID

country wrote:

they still have that little screen that you cant see, and dont have articulated screen... stick with your 5100.......

Probably should have included the D5200! But I think both the D7100 and D800's high ISO performance are markedly better and the reason I got the D7000 (weather protection) applies to the two alterntives I am now considering.

My wife won't give the D5100 back and doesn't want the D7000 for those reasons and others so the D7000 is the one to go. I'm not fond of the D7000 for those reasons and others; e.g. compared to the D5100 it lacks HDR, has less video capability, and the LCD info layout sucks compared to the D5100. Sigh.

I continue to hate the unreadable little green screen and really miss the articulated screen. Thanks for the reminder.

I do like the viewfinder on the D7000 over the D5100...and the D800 has an even better one.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Robeng wrote:

My man,

Have you considered the Nikon D600, Adorama has some refurbished ones with factory warranty for $1599.00. No tax and free shipping.

Yes, thank you.

Because I shoot mostly wildlife and have to crop even with the smaller sensor I want more pixels on the APS-C area. The D600 presents significantly less pixels on the APS-C area (a little over 10) than the D7000 (16). The D800 comes close and the D7100 provides 24. That is why they currently top my list.

I just checked snapsort and saw that the D800 provides signficantly better high ISO performance and dynamic range. Unless someone comes up with a good reason to not I am now inclining that way.

Robeng Loc: California

MtnMan wrote:

Yes, thank you. br br Because I shoot mostly wil... (show quote)

Mtnman,

Sounds like you did your homework and know what you want. Enjoy your D800 when you get it. I love mine. If you have time check out my animal shots, most were shot with a D800 using a Nikor 200mm-400mm.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I have both and recently posted a test of the D7100 at high ISO in low light here:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-115334-1.html

It rivals the D800 for low light, but I find the Toshiba sensor does not quite give the resolution quality that the D800 has.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Thanks all!

KEH offered 445 for the D7000. I got them up to 500. I know I could have done better on ebay but this was hassle free...they gave me a check.

Adorama had the refurb D800 for $2350. It will ship on Monday. I went for premium shipping because I really need it on Saturday. My 40 year old son is getting his Taekwando black belt and really wants pics.

The high ISO performance won me over.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Robeng wrote:

Mtnman,

Sounds like you did your homework and know what you want. Enjoy your D800 when you get it. I love mine. If you have time check out my animal shots, most were shot with a D800 using a Nikor 200mm-400mm.

Love your otters!

Robeng Loc: California

MtnMan wrote:

Love your otters!

Thanks for the compliment on the otters. Most were shot with a D800. Enjoy your new toy when you get it, you probably can't wait. Congrats on your son"s Black Belt. May he kick high & fast!

perpoto

go for 800.you can do crop and still get good frames

MtnMan wrote:

I currently have a D7000 and am considering upgrad... (show quote)

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I believe the D7100 has a bit faster focus than the D800. But, the 800 has greater resolution. They complement each other.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Keep your D7000 as a second camera. Use it for your wide angle lens...10-24mm...so you won't have to change lenses while on vacation. With the 28-300mm on the D800 you'll be covered for every eventuality without having to change lenses and risk dirt on the sensors. Keep the two.

cockney greg Loc: London E17

The rockynook Darrell Young book mastering the Nikon is a real bonus buy too.

MtnMan Loc: ID

SteveR wrote:

Keep your D7000 as a second camera. Use it for your wide angle lens...10-24mm...so you won't have to change lenses while on vacation. With the 28-300mm on the D800 you'll be covered for every eventuality without having to change lenses and risk dirt on the sensors. Keep the two.

Alas too late for that. But I might take my check and buy another D5100.