Nikon
D3
 vs
Nikon
D7000

Updated (January, 2012): Compare the Nikon D4 vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D3

86
Winner

Nikon D3

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
2,290 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
81.0
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.70x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
9 fps
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Nikon D7000

69
Runner-up

Nikon D7000
"The D7000's Live View is certainly quite functional as a basic means of framing for stills and video shooting, as long as you understand its limitations"
dpreview.com | talking about the D7000's video-quality
"The 'feel' of the new camera is far closer to the D300S though, thanks to its heavy-duty magnesium alloy construction."
dpreview.com | talking about the D7000's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Nikon D7000

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.9 EV
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Lens availability
 Slightly more lenses available
169 lenses

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 2,290 ISO vs 1,167 ISO
Help
 The D3 has a slight edge (1 f-stop) in low noise, high ISO performance
Battery life Much longer battery life 4300 shots vs 1050 shots
Help
 More than 4x more shots per battery charge
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.6mm
Help
 Around 2.5x larger sensor
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 88 ms vs 238 ms
Help
 2.7x less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.70x vs 0.62x
Help
 Around 30% larger viewfinder
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 9 fps vs 6 fps
Help
 50% faster continuous shooting
Focus points More focus points 51 vs 39
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 15 vs 9
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 81.0 vs 80.0
Help
 Almost the same
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Nikon D3 Learn more about
the Nikon D3

Advantages of the Nikon D7000
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 24fps vs None
Help
 Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.9 EV vs 12.2 EV
Help
 1.7 f-stops more dynamic range
Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
 Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Size Much smaller 132x105x77 mm vs 160x157x88 mm
Help
 2.1x smaller
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 121 lenses
Help
 Around 40% more lenses available
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
True resolution Higher true resolution 16.1 MP vs 12.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Weight Significantly lighter 780 g vs 1,300 g
Help
 40% lighter
Thickness Significantly thinner 3" vs 3.5"
Help
 More than 10% thinner
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Nikon D7000 Learn more about
the Nikon D7000
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3 Nikon D3
86 vs 69
Explain scores
Nikon D7000 Nikon D7000
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D3. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

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0
votes
by Vgill25 this month
Nikon D3X vs Nikon D7000

I love taking photos, all kind of photos. I love it when it is sharp and stunning.
1
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by Elisabeth-Williams last month
Nikon D60 vs Nikon D7000

i have had the d60 for a couple of years and i am looking to transfer or upgrade to the d7000. s...

One person recommends the Nikon D7000:

" The D7000 is better than the D60 in every way (except being bigger and heavier). With respect t..."
One person recommends the Nikon D60:

" If budget is a concern, you should also consider the possibility of buying a faster lens for you..."
1
votes
by John-Dettinger last month
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7000

I began photography around 11 months ago. I currently have the entry level Nikon D3100. It has d...

2 people recommend the Nikon D7000:

" I've got the d7000 and im really happy with it. 39 focuspoints are more than enough! The low lig..."

" I don't have experience with either camera... but the stats show that the D7000 is better in eve..."
0
votes
by Katie-Renee-Roloson last week
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7000

I am looking to upgrade to start a wedding photography business ...

2 people recommend the Nikon D7000:

" surely the D7000 is more up to date and seems to be at least as relyable as the d300s (both shut..."

"I shoot weddings with the D7000 and love it.. use the money saved and put it toward a great lens. ..."
0
votes
by Marcos-Panayiotou last month
Nikon D300S vs Nikon D7000

I would like a camera that shoots sharp both during day and night(both raw and bright light) A c...

One person recommends the Nikon D7000:

" noise reduction at high iso. more true resolution .bigger sensor than other semipro camera"

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
D3:81.0
D7000:80.0
Color depth Good color depth Help
23.5 bits
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Focus points Many focus points Help
D3:51
D7000:39
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
Storage slots Multiple storage slots Help
2
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Compare the D5100 vs the D3
Compare the D5100 vs the D7000
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,620 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens
Thickness Is thinner
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D3
Compare the EOS 7D vs the D7000
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Compare the D90 vs the D3
Compare the D90 vs the D7000
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,649 body only
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D700 vs the D3
Compare the D700 vs the D7000
Nikon D300S

Nikon D300S

Pro DSLR

$1,690 - $1,700 body only

$2,547 - $4,295 with 18-200mm lens
Thickness Is thinner
Weight Is slightly heavier
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Compare the D300S vs the D3
Compare the D300S vs the D7000
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the D3
Compare the D800 vs the D7000
Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5

Entry-level DSLR

$888 - $1,129 body only

$1,033 - $1,283 with 18-55mm lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Lens availability Slightly fewer lenses available
Compare the K-5 vs the D3
Compare the K-5 vs the D7000

Nikon D3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S

Pro DSLR

$5,197 body only
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO
Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor
Shutter lag Significantly more shutter lag
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the D3S vs the D3

Nikon D7000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D7000

appearance

Nikon D3 Nikon D7000
Nikon D3 Nikon D7000
Nikon D3 Nikon D7000

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