Field Review: Nikon D7000 and Nauticam NA-D7000 
Alex Mustard tests this brand new system
Last Update: 05 December 2010 11:19 PM
18 comment(s) | discuss in forums
Author: Alex Mustard ( Alex_Mustard )
FIELD REVIEW: NIKON D7000 & NAUTICAM NA-D7000
Alex Mustard
INTRODUCTION
Down the years, I have tried to review the important digital Nikon SLRs – the ones that have introduced new technology with the promise of taking our images further. Typically these tend to be flagship models, which showcase the new features before they filter down through the Nikon range.
The D7000 breaks this pattern. This time Nikon is introducing a lot of new tech lower in the range. The D7000 is built and priced for the serious amateur, yet introduces most Nikon users to a significant resolution increase from 10-12MP to 16MP, a new EXPEED 2 processor, a new 2000 pixel RGB metering system, a new 39 point Multi-CAM 4800 auto focus system and full 1080p HD-video. All Nikon users need to pay attention to this camera!
Equally surprising (and impressive) is that Nauticam already have a fully functioning NA-D7000 housing ready so soon after the release of the camera. This is the housing that was shown at DEMA and by the Tuesday after the show, Wetpixel had whisked it from Las Vegas to the marginally less glamorous setting of Stoney Cove in England to begin testing before going on to the Red Sea. Nauticam deserves a lot of respect for not only having a housing to show at DEMA, but that the show-housing was dive ready. Customer deliveries are expected to start within the next few days.
The aim of this review is to give you an overview and evaluation of the D7000 and the Nauticam housing, facing the typical everyday challenges of underwater photography around both coral reefs and in cold water. Last time I reviewed a Nauticam housing, they were new to the market and I concluded they delivered excellent engineering, build quality and innovative ergonomic solutions at a very competitive price. Since then, the Nauticam brand has grown and grown and now commands an impressive market share. The fast appearance and high quality of this latest housing are further evidence that this company is shifting expectations in the underwater equipment market.
The D7000 is first and foremost a stills camera and this review will concentrate more on this side of its split personality. After all, the majority of its features and settings relate to still photography. However, the D7000 is also capable of high quality video and since I am not a videoist I have enlisted the help of UWP Magazine’s Peter Rowlands to cast his experienced eye on the video performance.
And as always with Wetpixel reviews, we encourage your views etc in the comments section or on the forums.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It was an ambitious plan to hope to have an underwater review of the Nikon D7000 before quite a few websites and magazines had not even evaluated this important camera on land. So to make this happen took quite a team effort! I am very grateful to Edward and Jacqueline Lai of Nauticam, Ryan Canon of Reef Photo Video, Chris Parsons of Nauticam USA, Alex Tattersall of Nauticam UK, Eleonora Manca, Adam Hanlon, Peter Rowlands, Rob Bailey, Rob White, Cath Bates, Charlotte Boan and Erich Reboucas. I would also like to thanks Camel Dive and the CDWS in Egypt and Blue Magazine for their help in filling a long weekend in the Red Sea with so many highlights.
Continued…
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Comment(s):Great review Alex… Good enough to make me wish to switch from my not so old D90 to a D7000 !
Posted by Bigeye Bubblefish on 12/02 at 01:14 PMExciting camera for sure!
Posted by Alsky72 on 12/02 at 01:16 PMExcellent review Alex as always. Many thanks. We have ordered one!
Posted by PeteAtkinson on 12/02 at 05:52 PMAlex,
As always, thank you for the rigorous and thorough review. The D7000 surely looks impressive, and will undoubtedly be one of the most popular Nikon cameras for 2011. Well done on your excellent testing.
All the very best,
Sterling
Posted by Sterling Zumbrunn on 12/02 at 07:12 PMGreat read! I hope in the near future there will be some comparitive review between at least Nauticam and Aquatic’s housings for this camera. Both seem like great solutions.
Posted by Aqua_soul on 12/02 at 11:19 PMThanks Alex, very helpful.
Posted by Scubysnaps on 12/03 at 07:10 AMThanks All.
@ Aqua_Soul - we’d love to. Adam H is hoping to put something together early next year. Having reviewed the camera we’ll be able to focus solely on comparing the housings. Although the difficulty is always in getting enough housings together.
Posted by Alex Mustard on 12/03 at 08:09 AMThanks Alex, your work and opinions are appreciated by all. I have had issues with macro focusing. The auto focus tends to wander about, and may not lock on the intended target, so to speak. Any comments on this?
Posted by vazuw on 12/03 at 02:33 PMHi Vaz
It is all about using the right AF mode with the D7000.
I found 9 point AF best. Also 3D tracking is good once you are used to it. It doesnt have an equivalent on the d2x.
AlexPosted by Alex Mustard on 12/04 at 12:18 AMGreat review Alex, again!
Sounds like an exciting camera/housing indeed. I know you’re a Nikon man but you mentioned you’ve tried the Nauticam 7D housing as well. What would you say the main design improvements over that housing are?
Posted by jddive on 12/04 at 03:53 AMVery interesting review Alex. Can’t wait to receive my NA7000.
Posted by blueglass on 12/04 at 12:16 PMExcellent review Alex! Looking forward to getting my hands on the D7000/NA-D7000 by xmas hopefully..
It’s certainly a considerable investment for a decent sDLR setup though, certainly when moving up from a compact setup even with wet lens, etc..
Cheers,
LeePosted by leema on 12/04 at 04:37 PMBright Spots that occur with D7000 Movie Recording
Posted by Sebastian on 12/05 at 12:39 PMExcellent review, Alex. I like that you include underwater photography tips (equipment related and otherwise) with each sample image.
Posted by Eric Cheng on 12/05 at 11:21 PMSorry for slow replies. Struggling for internet access at the moment.
@ jddive - I tend to leave Canon vs Nikon out of reviews for several reasons. Partly because I don’t shoot Canon cameras enough to ever feel comfortable with them. Partly because most people are invested into one system or the other. But mainly because it leads to ultimate flame wars!@ Eric - thank you, Sir!
Posted by Alex Mustard on 12/06 at 08:04 AM@ Carlos - I look forward to seeing your pictures from this camera!
Posted by Alex Mustard on 12/06 at 08:05 AM@ Alex: sorry, didn’t mean to try and get another Nikon vs. Canon debate started. I was mainly wondering what major technical advances Nauticam has made since then (like the port locking system), seeing as to how innovative they are with their housing designs.
Posted by jddive on 12/06 at 08:20 AMExcellent review. I particulary like your descriptions of why separate, easily operable controls are importent. I have trouble explaining this to the unexperienced
Posted by TomR1 on 12/08 at 11:27 AM
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