The D7100 features an updated 'i' button that gives quick access to settings on the back screen of the camera, and spot white balance has been introduced so that WB can be quickly set without the need of a grey card. The camera body features magnesium alloy and is weather sealed to the same standard as the Nikon D800. A virtual electronic horizon is available for shooting in portrait or landscape view, and the shutter mechanism has also been tested for 150,000 cycles.

Key Features

24.1-megapixel DX format CMOS sensor
APS-C with no OLPF (Optical Low Pass Filter)
EXPEED 3 image processor
ISO sensitivity of 100-6400, extendable to 25600
AF system: 51 focus points, 15 cross-type, up to f/8, -2EV
6 fps continuous shooting, 7 fps with 1.3x crop function
2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor with Scene Recognition
Full HD Movie: 1080p up to 60i/50i and 30p/25p/24p, Stereo mics built into body
Microphone / Headphone sockets
High performance viewfinder: with approximately 100% frame coverage and 0.94x magnification
3.2inch 1229k-dot RGBW screen
Durable body with magnesium alloy covers: sealed for dust, weather and drop resistance
Dual SD memory card slots
Improved ‘i’ button and Spot White Balance for quick and precise white balance setting in Live View
Active D-Lighting (ADL): retains details in highlights and shadows for well-balanced images
High Dynamic Range (HDR): combines two shots within a single shutter release to create detailed images of high contrast scenes
Effects Mode: allows selected effects to be applied to both stills and movies in Live View

The Nikon D7100 feels comfortable to hold, and surprisingly compact for a top of the range APS-C sensor weather sealed Digital SLR. It has a redesigned front and rear rubberised hand grip, and these feel good in the hand, giving the thumb more to grip onto on the back. There are ample buttons on the rear, top and front to give direct access to a number of settings, and there is a front and rear control dial to quickly set or adjust aperture and shutter speeds in manual shooting modes. The camera weighs 690g body only, a slight increase over the D7000.

Battery life - The D7100 uses the EN-EL15 1900mAh battery, as used in a number of other Nikon cameras, including the Nikon D7000, D800, D800E and Nikon 1 V1. Battery life is rated at 950 shots, which is 100 less than the Nikon D7000's rating of 1050 shots.

Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.