Nikon D700 and Nikon D7000 comparison shots: part two | London Portrait Photographer

Disclaimer: When a camera body 2.5 years older than another body which has newer technology is still double the price, I have to be convinced that the older and more expensive one is better. I know so many things need to be taken into consideration not least the sensors, but I’m no tecchie and having trained as an artist, I have to see visual results. So these tests shots between the Nikon D700 and Nikon D7000 are for myself. I’m saying that because the process and settings I chose are not right for everybody or perhaps even anyone else. Other photographers would do a test completely differently. My purpose is to find out if this new body suits the way I work and shoot. If you missed the previous comparison shots taken indoors in the evening, click here. It might be good to read it first.

All images are SOOC.

Daytime test

Distance from the subject 1.5m
Settings: 1/160, f3.2, ISO 400

Nikon 35mm 1.4 G

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

Nikon 50mm 1.4 G

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

Nikon 105mm 2.8 G

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

Distance from the subject 0.7m
Settings: 1/160, f2.8, ISO 400

Nikon 35mm 1.4 G

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

Nikon 50mm 1.4 G

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

Nikon 105mm 2.8 G {this lens is also a micro/macro lens and forces the aperture to stop down when too close to the subject}

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

Non-still subject, distance 1.5 meters

Nikon 35mm 1.4 G

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

Nikon 50mm 1.4 G

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

Nikon 105mm 2.8 G

Nikon D700

Nikon D7000

My verdict:

On the camera’s LCD screen the images look way better on the D7000 than the D700. Not surprising as the D7000 being only over 1 year old, has newer technology. Compared to the D700 screen, the D7000 screen looks like it’s HD. But don’t be fooled, on closer inspection on my computer screen, images from both cameras are very similar and I’ve had to look long and hard to see which is better. I thought the 35mm and D700 is a fantastic combination but less so with the 50mm 1.4 G. In my opinion, the images taken at closer range gave the D700 the edge despite older technology, albeit only by a touch. Although the D7000 is meant to have more dynamic range, from the images above, it looks like the D700 images have slightly more dynamic range.

From the sensor point of view, the D700’s huge sensor compared to the D7000 is, needless to say far superior, despite the 95% viewer coverage. But a professional body with a sensor so much more sensitive to light and over the double the price, one expects it to be so. This less than 100% viewer coverage however does have an impact on the way I normally shoot; I compose in camera for 90% of my shoots so I have to take this into consideration when composing. Focusing is also faster and more accurate on the D700 and the D700 has less shutter lag – this I noticed straight away. This meant I am happy with 2 out of 3 of my photos compared to 3 out of 5 on the D7000 or lesser on the other crop bodies I’ve had {the D90 and D40}. The 51 focus points on the D700 compared to D7000’s 39 make precise focusing in difficult situations a lot easier.

While the D700 is proving to be as expected an amazing camera, I am very impressed at how well the D7000 fares compared to it at half the price. Having used the D7000 extensively for 9 months and knowing it performs so well, I still feel the need to be 100% convinced that the D700 is worth the money – and I think I’m getting there – so I’m going to be doing more test shots. Had I not tried the D7000, this would not be an issue at all. There is more to come and I’m hoping I’d be able to write a summary of my review after a week of putting the D700 to the test.

In part three I will be showing the images I took using both cameras and the the 105vr macro lens. Stay tuned! If you found his helpful, please share it. Thank you!

You can find my first impressions review of my Nikon D7000 when I got it nearly a year ago on this link.

In case you are looking to get any of the equipment I use and mention on this review series, you can find them here Nikon D700 and Nikon D7000 Nikon 50mm 1.4 G Lens Nikon 105mm VR 2.8 G Lens Nikon 35 mm 1.4 G LensNikon D90 Nikon D800