Former D90 owners who now use D7100/D7000

Mike D90

Senior Member
Thinking of the D7100 as my next camera I wanted to ask those who are former D90 users to give me a good comprehensive review of the exact differences between the two. I mean as much as possible. How do the button controls differ? What menu changes are different? How many different functions are included over all?

The reason I ask is I spoke with a local friend, who is a Nikonites member here named @Rocketdoc , and he said the D7100 was extremely complicated and much different from the D90.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
Not a former D90 owner, but rather D3100, and I'll say this...

Much different? YES. Extremely complicated? Hardly.

Coming from a camera with LESS control than the D90, I'm comfortable enough with it already to use it on commissioned shoots without any worries at all, and that's with less than a full month in the books and (sadly) very little time going through the D7100 guide that I purchases. I read through a few pages of Grandpaw's D7000 tips and found a couple things I needed in the manual, and the rest has been hands on ease. Coming from the D90, you'll have the advantage of a already knowing how to work with a front/back command dial, top LCD, bracketing etc., right? Your learning curve should be on a much quicker pace than mine, I'd think. Just my .02, but I'd say nab it and don't look back!
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Much different? YES. Extremely complicated? Hardly.
Agreed. I started with a D40, myself...

It's beyond the scope of a forum post to spec' out every single different button configuration and menu layout but if you can learn to drive on Car A, you should be able to jump into the drivers seat of Car B and get from one place to another, right? Same thing here. Sure, there's a learning curve but this ain't rocket surgery.

....
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
Hi Mike,
I have upgraded from the D3100 just like @Pretzel, and what he says is exactly what I found too.

It is intuitive enough to pick up and start using easily - You can then start to experiment and learn the advanced stuff as you go.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
My photography gear progression:

Point-n-Shoot years: before a real interest in photography
1) Sony CyberShot Series

DSLRs - "Prosumer" models
2) 1st DSLR - Sony Alpha a30 (seemed like a logical progression at the time). I outgrew that camera in 3 months.
3) Nikon D90 - Decided to go with the Nikon platform.

Goodbye Auto Modes!
4) Nikon D300s - Shot with this camera for the last 3 years.

Switch to full-frame
5) Nikon D800 - Purchased yesterday.​

The biggest leap was from the D90 to the D300s. I loved my D90 and probably would've shot with it until it wore out. Unfortunately, mine was ruined after only using it for less than a year. When I got the insurance check (all my gear was ruined by basement water damage), I decided to start all over and go with a better camera.

I mention this because it begs to ask: why would you want to go from a D90 to a D7000/D7100? It's a lateral move, unless you plan to shoot video. The controls aren't that different because essentially, the D7000/D7100 is just an updated version of the D90. If that's what you're going for, then great. But if you're looking to upgrade and take things to the next level, you might consider the D300s or D610. The game doesn't really change until you get into those models.
 

Deezey

Senior Member
Mike. I moved to the D610, which is roughly the same thing but FX. My transition was fairly smooth. You will fit right in on the D7100. You shouldn't have much...if any...learning curve. U1 and U2 will be a huge blessing for you. And basically you only gain in specs. No radical changes. Everything in the D90 is the same, but the D7100 just raises the entire bar several notches.

For me the D610 behaves just like a bigger faster D90. The D7100 should do the same for you.
 

John P

Senior Member
I came from a D90.
Pretty much the same camera.
Just more powerful. The buttons are the same for the most part. The i button is GREAT for quick in menu changes.
 

Pretzel

Senior Member
I mention this because it begs to ask: why would you want to go from a D90 to a D7000/D7100? It's a lateral move, unless you plan to shoot video. The controls aren't that different because essentially, the D7000/D7100 is just an updated version of the D90. If that's what you're going for, then great. But if you're looking to upgrade and take things to the next level, you might consider the D300s or D610. The game doesn't really change until you get into those models.

I don't really see it as a lateral, but that's just my opinion. Compared to the D300s or D90, the D7100 has.

Lower noise at higher ISO (about 1/2 a stop)
Better overall image quality (citing quite a few different tests, although only about 10%)
Tying in with the above, better color depth and dynamic range
TWICE AS MANY MP!!! Easier crop and go without losing quality. Easier to produce prints over 8x10.
5x the focus points! 15x more cross-type focus points!
Better auto-focus and processing speed in general.
Weather Sealed
4x higher max ISO
Double memory slots
Shoots faster
U1 and U2 - wow, how did I ever get along without these!!?
(didn't matter to me, but improved video options PLUS an external mic jack)

Or, perhaps this says it a bit better: comparison

The D7100 is a nice midpoint between the D90 and the D610, and what made my decision (personally) over slaving away for another year and hoping nothing stole the funds for a D610 - All of this in a package I could afford at the moment while still making a bit of sense.

$1100 vs $1900

Granted, I came from the D3100, but a lot of people moving up the chain just don't have the pocket cash to dive into the FX cameras. If I did, I would have, but thinking on the side-business end of things, the D7100 was my starting point goal for a main camera with the eventual plans to move it to backup once I can move into the FX world.

Obviously, different people have different motivations and goals, but that's my angle. ;)
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I went from the D90 to the D600. If you use Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and/or Manual, I highly doubt there will be a huge learning curve if you step up to the D7100/D7000. One thing I learned early on was to carry the user manual with me. While I thought I had everything set, I missed one thing and couldn't figure out how to change it. Turned out the D600 had a button on the front that the D90 lacked, and that's where the setting was changed.

Whether the upgrade is considered a lateral move or not is not important. It is an improvement over the D90. My low light (drama) photos are sooo much better with the performance of the D610's sensor (as was the performance of my D600) that there isn't any comparison with low light image quality. I'm sure the images from a D7100/D7000 are improved over the D90, too. That said, I still love AND use my D90 but mostly for landscape photography. And it's a trusty back-up! :) Good luck with whatever you decide! :D
 

Bill16

Senior Member
As others have already stated. The direction you upgrade depends on your needs, along with how high or how often. I don't print my photos and so higher MPs aren't a big need, and since I rarely do lowlight shots without a flash, the D300 works perfectly for me. The only thing I'm thinking of doing is adding a D700 to go with my D300! :)
Plus with my current post processing tools, smaller files seem like the best way to go for me! :)
So getting what works best for your needs is all that counts in my opinion! :)
 

Geoffc

Senior Member
My photography gear progression:
Point-n-Shoot years: before a real interest in photography
1) Sony CyberShot Series

DSLRs - "Prosumer" models
2) 1st DSLR - Sony Alpha a30 (seemed like a logical progression at the time). I outgrew that camera in 3 months.
3) Nikon D90 - Decided to go with the Nikon platform.

Goodbye Auto Modes!
4) Nikon D300s - Shot with this camera for the last 3 years.

Switch to full-frame
5) Nikon D800 - Purchased yesterday.​

The biggest leap was from the D90 to the D300s. I loved my D90 and probably would've shot with it until it wore out. Unfortunately, mine was ruined after only using it for less than a year. When I got the insurance check (all my gear was ruined by basement water damage), I decided to start all over and go with a better camera.

I mention this because it begs to ask: why would you want to go from a D90 to a D7000/D7100? It's a lateral move, unless you plan to shoot video. The controls aren't that different because essentially, the D7000/D7100 is just an updated version of the D90. If that's what you're going for, then great. But if you're looking to upgrade and take things to the next level, you might consider the D300s or D610. The game doesn't really change until you get into those models.

Having gone D70, D300, D300s, D7100 + D800 I would have to disagree. The sensor in the 7100 is in a different league in both ISO performance and resolution. My wife swapped her D300 for a 7100 and hasn't looked back even though she loved the 300 as a semi pro body. Also the 7100 has a much better AF system than the D90. For a lot of applications my D7100 returns similar results to the D800 with maybe a 1 stop disadvantage which you will probably dispute given your latest purchase:p The other thing with all these cameras they have P modes which can make them into a point and shoot so they can be simple or complicated.
 

Mike D90

Senior Member
I would prefer a DSLR without video mode. I wish that was an option. I don't shoot video at all and have no plans to start. I do use A, S, and M modes only. I never use P modes or any of the presets.

However, I am not sure my needs call for a full frame camera just yet. I love the performance they offer as to quality, particularly in low light, and the fantastic use of high ISO numbers, but I really do not use a camera in low light very often. I sure do not need the FPS they offer.

The biggest thing about FX is the initial cost of the body. For now at least, way out of my budget. But, any camera is out of my budget at the moment.

I am simply thinking way ahead in terms of next camera.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I would prefer a DSLR without video mode. I wish that was an option.


It is an option, although an expensive one. It's called a Nikon Df. :) I think it's the only one that doesn't have video possibilities. And some people complain it doesn't. Go figure.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
I've a lady friend in San Diego who just received a used D90 and judging from her emails and posts you would think she just won the lottery. It's a funny thing, theses DSLR's and how each individual values their camera. I've come to the conclusion that as long as it makes you happy and allows you to share your particular view of this world then it's the perfect camera for you.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
 
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