Wendy Mogul Photography Loc: Charleston SC

Hey all I have been saving for the new Nikon 7100 which is a DX format camera..but was wondering what the difference is between FX and DX formats..is the FX format a full frame camera and DX still a crop camera..any feedback would be appreciated!.. thank you! :)

Don Schaeffer Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

Yes. DX is cropped. The sensor is 2/3 the size of the FX sensor.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

In digital cameras, the camera's format refers to the size of its image sensor. Nikon makes a DX-format sensor and an FX-format sensor. The DX-format is the smaller sensor at 24x16mm; the larger FX-format sensor measures 36x24mm which is approximately the same size as 35mm film.

Different NIKKOR lenses are designed to accommodate the different camera sensor sizes. In the case of DX cameras with their smaller sensors, corresponding DX lenses have been designed. The DX designation can be found in the lens name, i.e. AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED. These lenses are smaller and lighter in weight and address the market's need for affordable, high-performance lenses with a variety of focal lengths and zoom options.

The DX sensor makes possible the production of lighter, smaller cameras, but because it covers a smaller portion of the image projected by the lens, a 1.5x crop factor (so called because the smaller sensor crops the image compared to an image from a 35mm film frame) is introduced. This means, for example, a 24mm lens on a DX sensor camera will provide an approximate 36mm view.

The FX sensor, with more "light gathering" area, offers higher sensitivity and, generally, lower noise. There is, of course, no crop factor present with the FX sensor
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/g588ouey/The-DX-and-FX-Formats.html

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Previous post says it all. I have a D7000 and try to buy FX lenses which work just fine on a dx camera body. (Can't always go the other way, though) so that if I ever go to FX body, I don't have to buy all new lenses. Costs more to get the lenses; but they last a long time. Good luck with the new camera. BTW you can get really good deals on the d7000 since the new camera came out. Just sayin'.

Wendy Mogul Photography Loc: Charleston SC

Thank you but I think the 7100 sounds like a good solid camera for a none full frame..has a lot of great features comparable to the D4 so think I will wait for that one.. thank you for the info always appreciated!..so excited to get my Nikon D7100!...

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

You're gonna love it. I think I've spent at least some time shooting just about every day since I got it. Darrell Young has a really good book on all the menu items and features of the 7000. I'll bet he has one for the 7100 too. If not, he will soon. I highly recommend his books. I think the camera handles really well, but there is a lot to learn. Hey, not a problem. Learning is fun.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

For a week's worth of reading, Google DX vs FX.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I have a D7000 (DX) and the D800 (FX). The photos I get from my D7000 were awesome right out of the box but the D7100 will have a 1/2 again better resolution.

Wendy Mogul Photography Loc: Charleston SC

Yes I have been watching and reading all the reviews on this camera and I am pretty impressed..they have really thought about what was important and unnecessary for this one over previous models..looking forward to purchasing!..

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Angel...what lenses do you have, or will you going with the kit lens? Do you have a budget for lenses?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Actually the Nikon DX sensor is just under HALF the size of an FX sensor.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

MT is right. The D7000 and D800 have the same sensor. The 7000 is 16mb and the 800 is 36mb. Let's you know the size difference.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Not the same sensor!
The D7000 is the smaller DX sensor. (23.6mm x 15.6mm)
The D800 is a full-frame sensor. (35.9mm x 24mm )
The pixel density is almost the same. 4% higher in the D7000 according to this site:

http://www.digicamdb.com/compare/nikon_d7000-vs-nikon_d800/

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Goofy....Obviously the size is different. However, I did think that the D800 was basically the same sensor as the D700 but supersized, so to speak, and would give a good idea of the relative size diferential of a DX and an FX sensor. Thanks for the link. Is there really a very great difference??

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

It's a site I just found.
Looks pretty interesting.
I'm sure you'll agree, pictures speak better:

Sensor size comparison