• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Canon 7D advantages over Nikon D7100

  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 158 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.25 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 5.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    22 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D7100 advantages over Canon 7D

  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $1499
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    24.2 vs 22.0 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,256 vs 854 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.7 vs 11.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More pixels
    24.1 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 19
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 45 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7100

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 18-megapixel sensor with impressively low noise and superb detail; Very good high ISO performance, especially for 18-megapixel subframe sensor; Rugged construction with magnesium body and weather sealing; Fast autofocus and fast burst rate of 8 fps; Full HD (1920x1080) movies at 30/25/24p, 60/50p at 1280x720.

  • No dedicated AF-assist lamp (flash is used), and AF-assist adjustment is buried in the Flash Settings menu; Kit lens (28-135mm) isn't quite up to the resolving power of the 18-megapixel sensor, odd focal length for subframe DSLR; No continuous autofocus in Movie mode.

  • Solid, ergonomic body design; Stunning, highly detailed photos, thanks to 24.1MP sensor upgrade and removal of optical low-pass filter; Cool 1.3x crop mode extends reach to nearly 2x the full-frame equivalent; Records Full 1080p HD video at up to 30fps with full-time AF; Many pro-level features packed into a consumer-friendly body at reasonable price.

  • Shallow buffer that hampers continuous burst shooting; AF slightly slower than average for its class; No real-time aperture control while in Movie mode (among other quirks); More noticeable moire patterns and aliasing artifacts (but only found when shooting fabrics with strong, distinct patterns).

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon 7D
Canon 70D
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7100
Canon 70D
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
Nikon D7100
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Canon 60D

Canon 7D
Canon 60D
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7100
Canon 60D
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon D7000

Canon 7D
Nikon D7000
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D7100
Nikon D7000
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Sony A77

Canon 7D
Sony A77
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D7100
Sony A77
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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