Nikon D7200 review: Discontinued but still a great camera

IMAGE QUALITY

The D7100 is still one of the best-performing cropped-sensor cameras for image quality, so we didn’t expect a huge jump in quality this time around. We had the opportunity to test a D7100 and D7200 side by side, and the two cameras were level pegging for detail levels and dynamic range, both for JPEG and RAW output. As we raised the ISO speed, it was hard to separate them for noise levels in RAW files. However, the D7200 showed a substantial improvement in the appearance of its JPEGs at high ISO speeds. The D7200 even outperformed the full-frame Nikon D610 for noise in JPEGs, although it couldn’t match it for RAW output.

^ Comparing details of the same shot taken with the D7100, there’s no contest.

This improvement should be taken in context. Anyone who spends the best part of £1,000 on a camera and who really cares about image quality will almost definitely be shooting RAW. Even so, should they need to switch to JPEGs – perhaps for more sustained continuous performance or for sharing photos via Wi-Fi – it’s reassuring that quality won’t suffer much.^ Natural, balanced colours, precise autofocus and pristine fine details. (1/200s, f/7.1, ISO 100, 52mm equivalent)^ The high-resolution metering sensor hasn’t been fooled by the dominant white subject. Highlights are just shy of being clipped and there’s plenty of shadow detail. (1/800s, f/5.6, ISO 100, 105mm equivalent)^ The autofocus sensor did a fine job of picking out these birds against the complex background. (1/640s, f/6.3, ISO 100, 158mm equivalent)^ Another fine example of precise handling of fine details. The automatic exposure level is spot on, too. (1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 100, 93mm equivalent)^ Limited light has pushed the ISO speed up a little but there’s no hint of noise or noise reduction. (1/60s, f/4.8, ISO 360, 63mm equivalent)^ There’s a slight grain at ISO 1600 but this is still within the realms of print quality. (1/200s, f/1.4, ISO 1600, 52mm equivalent)^ What looks like a daylight shot was actually taken handheld at dusk at ISO 7200. There’s some detail smearing but it’s remarkably presentable for a cropped-sensor SLR at such a fast ISO speed. (1/50s, f/4.2, ISO 7200, 48mm equivalent)^ Skin tones at ISO 12800 are looking pretty vague but it’s far from disastrous. (1/100s, f/4.5, ISO 12800, 52mm equivalent)

CONCLUSION

The D7200 may lack headline-grabbing new features but it takes an extremely solid foundation in the shape of the D7100 and improves in areas that make a genuine difference. We’re particularly delighted to see more responsive autofocus in very low light and more sustained continuous shooting. 4K video and an articulated screen would have raised the stakes for videography but photographers are unlikely to miss these features.

Currently priced at £920 body only, it’s a little more expensive than the Canon EOS 70D, which sells for around £740 body only, and considerably cheaper than the Canon EOS 7D Mk II which costs around £1,430. These prices are arguably a fair reflection on their features, with the D7200’s autofocus being closer to the 7D Mk II but with continuous performance that’s slower than both Canon models. The Nikon takes the edge for image quality, though, with slightly sharper details at low ISO speeds and a more marked advantage at high ISO speeds where the Canons’ noise reduction takes a heavier toll on fine details. We prefer its layout of controls, too. There are few bells and whistles but it’s superbly designed to let keen photographers get the photos they want.

If the D7200 doesn’t quite suit your needs then check out our regularly-updated Best Cameras and Buying Guide.