Review Nikon D7000: measurements

Resolution

With a good lens like the Nikon 35 mm f/1.4 set at f/5.6, the Nikon D7000 delivers a jpg file with a resolution in the center (averaged over ISO 100 to ISO 6400) of 1900 LW/PH. That is almost as high as the resolution of a JPG file taken with the Nikon D3X, but lower than the resolution of a Nikon D3200 jpg file (2650 LW / PH). The resolution of the Nikon D7000 is the highest at 100 ISO and slowly decreases at higher ISO values.

With a standard processing of RAW files in Lightroom, a slightly greater sharpness impression is obtained, which translates into an average resolution in the center of slightly more than 2500 LW/PH. This is between the Canon 5D MK2 (3000 LW / PH) and the Nikon D5100 (2500 LW / PH). By tuning the parameters in Lightroom or using Capture NX, perhaps even higher values might be obtained.

Dynamic range

The total dynamic range of a RAW file without noise reduction on ISO 100 to ISO 6400 averaged 9.3 stops for a RAW file, with a maximum of 11 stops at ISO 100. By applying noise reduction and sharpening, a total dynamic range of 12.5 stops can be achieved. The total dynamic range of a jpg file averages 9.4 stops on the ISO range of 100 to 6400 ISO. This is comparable to the measurements of the Canon 7D and slightly lower than the total dynamic range of the Nikon D3200 . For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ

A poor signal / noise ratio in the shadow reduces the dynamic range of jpg files to a usable dynamic range of 7.5 stops at ISO 100 and 1 stop at ISO 25,600. Because of in-camera noise reduction, the jpg files seem to perform slightly better than the RAW files at all ISO settings. Yet that is not the case. We are testing the RAW files without using noise reduction. Therefore you maintain the highest possible detail of the shooting, while the noise, although measurable, is not visible in print. If you carefully optimize contrast, sharpening and noise reduction at RAW files, it is possible for RAW files to achieve a usable dynamic range, better or equal to that of the jpg files. Quite simply we managed to see a RAW file in Lightroom convert a TIFF with a useful dynamic range of 9.1 stops with a noise of 0.22%.

Noise

Comparison of the noise in jpg files with the measured noise in RAW files without noise reduction shows that from about 400 ISO noise reduction occurs when the jpg files. That is the explanation for the higher usable dynamic range of jpg files in the graph for the usable dynamic range.

We know from experience that if the noise is less than 2.5%, a photo on A3 + size prints can be without the noise is as disturbing. An ISO 3200 file is thus RAW without further processing, to print, without disturbing the noise that is present. With some extra noise does that work for an ISO 6400 file.

Color accuracy at daylight

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In our Imatest measurements, the Nikon D7000 delivers RAW and JPG files with an even more accurate color reproduction than the Nikon D3x, which so far had the best scores in terms of color put down. The differences are small and perhaps not significant. The illustration shows the errors of an ISO 200 color jpg image shot in daylight. The further the ideal color (square) is removed from the color of the camera (round), the greater the color difference. For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ

Color accuracy @ tungsten light

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For both jpg and RAW files, you cannot blindly rely on the auto white balance in tungsten light as is clearly seen from the results shown in the image above, for a 200 ISO jpg file. Yet, the Nikon D7000 is one of the cameras with the most accurate color in tungsten light. The color reproduction of the jpg file is about as good as the Nikon D800E or Nikon D3200 , but the RAW files from the Nikon D7000 are slightly better. Only the Panasonic GX1 and the Panasonic G3 scored better on this part.