• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Comparison Review

Nikon's D7XXX series serves as their "prosumer" line of Nikon APS-C cameras, intended for use by enthusiasts as a step up from the smaller D5XXX series, yet not as advanced or as pricey as the D500 or their full-frame DSLR offerings. The camera series features dual control dials (for adjusting aperture and shutter speed) and has more advanced features than any of the company's consumer models.

The D7200 was released in 2015, as an upgrade from the previous D7100 model; the D7500, introduced in 2017, serves as the D7200's replacement and shares technology with the Nikon D500.

Design

The design differences between the two cameras appear minor, but under the hood, the D7500 has been totally redesigned, with a monocoque body and a much deeper finger cutout for the grip. The D7500 has also shaved off a few grams of weight, and is probably around 1% smaller overall. Whether it was because of user feedback or internal review, Nikon designers decided to move around some of the control features -- swapping the position of the "i" and info buttons, as well as the position of the live view controller, for example.

Perhaps the most noteworthy change in the D7500 is the rear LCD screen, which can now be tilted and also offers touchscreen functionality. Both cameras offer a resolution of 307,200 pixels, but the D7500 uses 3 colors per pixel (RGB), instead of the 4 colors per pixel on the D7200 (RGBW).

Both cameras use the same pop-up flash: offering a guide number of 12 and a standard flash sync speed of 1/250s, as well as built-in commander support for wireless remote flash. For image storage, both models use SD cards, supporting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards (up to UHS-I). However, the D7500, sadly, gives up the secondary card slot of the D7200.

Shooting performance

Both the D7200 and the D7500 use an APS-C format sensor, however as a rarity in the industry, the D7500 actually uses a sensor with less megapixels than the D7200. In an industry which has been consumed with bigger / faster / better iterations, it's refreshing to see design choices being made that actually respond to the actual needs of the consumer (rather than the perceived needs). While a 24-megapixel sensor will allow you to make a 2-foot by 3-foot right out of the camera, it's a relatively rare need.

The result of using less pixels to make up the sensor is that each individual pixel is slightly larger (4.22 microns rather than 3.92 microns), which makes a noticeable difference when it comes to shooting in low-light conditions; larger photosites are more efficient when it comes to turning light into data. Also, the sensor of the D7500 is the same that's used in the D500, meaning that Nikon can use the same sensor across multiple bodies for manufacturing efficiency. The D7500 offers a native ISO range of 100 - 51,200 which is expandable to a whopping 50 - 1,638,400 while the D7200 offers an ISO range of 100 - 25,600 which could be boosted to 102,400 only when shooting black and white JPEGs.

The D7500 is unquestionably a much more advanced camera: it shoots faster, for longer, and produces better images. In terms of raw numbers, the D7500 has a shooting speed of just over 8 frames per second; the D7200 has a shooting speed of just under 6 frames per second when shooting JPEG, and around 5 frames per second when shooting 14-bit RAW. The D7500 has no such limitations. The D7200 has a buffer depth of 18 RAW images or 56 JPEG images until its buffer must clear; for the D7500, that depth is 47 RAW images or 100 JPEG images. These figures represent shooting with 14-bit, lossless-compressed RAW images; numbers are slightly higher if you use lossy compressed or 12-bit RAW.

The autofocus module has not changed, however: both cameras sport the Multi-CAM 3500II DX, which offers 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors; center point is f/8 compatible). Multiple focusing modes are possible, including Single-point autofocus, 9, 21, or 51-point dynamic area autofocus, 3D-tracking, and auto-area autofocus, but the D7500 adds group-area mode. One major design note of change: the D7500 abandons the support for AI (automatic indexing) lenses, meaning the camera will no longer provide metering or support aperture priority mode for older lenses that don’t have a chip inside them.

Both cameras offer a very good number of shots per full battery, although the D7200 provides slightly more. The D7200 offers 1,100 shots, while the D7500 offers 950 shots. It’s also worth noting that no connections exist on the D7500 for a battery grip attachment to employ a second battery, while the D7200 has the MB-D15 available for this purpose.

Image Quality

Nikon has elected to go without an Optical Low-Pass Filter in both cameras, which has been used traditionally to soften the image slightly and reduce the incidence of moiré. The tradeoff is to produce sharper images, especially when the camera is used at its lower ISO settings. As ISO is increased, this sharpness is hampered by increased noise, so generally, this advantage is only present when you use an ISO speed less than ISO 1,600.

Otherwise, both cameras offer excellent images with excellent options for fine-tuning sharpening, clarity, contrast, saturation, brightness and hue, with the D7500 adding an Auto Picture Control option. Neither the D7200 nor the D7500 offer a fully uncompressed RAW mode.

Because the D7500 has slightly fewer megapixels than the D7200, its image files are slightly smaller. Here's a summary of the file sizes produced by the cameras:

    Nikon D7200   Nikon D7500
Lossless compressed 14-bit RAW   28.0 MB   25.5 MB
Lossless compressed 12-bit RAW   22.2 MB   20.5 MB
Compressed 14-bit RAW   25.4 MB   21.5 MB
Compressed 12-bit RAW   20.6 MB   17.5 MB
JPEG Fine/Large   12.7 MB   10.4 MB

Features

Both cameras offer a variety of connectivity options for transferring data, video and audio. Both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi; the D7500 uses Nikon's SnapBridge technology that adds Bluetooth Low Energy for an always-on connection. The D7200, however, does not have SnapBridge / Bluetooth, but offers NFC connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi. For wired connections, both offer USB 2.0 and both have HDMI video out in the form of a Type C mini-HDMI port (of great interest to movie makers will be that the HDMI output is clean and uncompressed from both cameras).

Neither offer a built-in GPS, but you can add GPS support: Both cameras are compatible with Nikon's GP-1/GP-1A GPS unit, as well as WR-1 and WR-R10 wireless remote controllers. The D7500 drops the rear-facing infrared sensor for use with the ML-L3 infrared remote control.

Both cameras can shoot Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second, and both are limited to a maximum shooting time of 29 minutes and 59 seconds, though the D7200 is limited to 10 or 20 minutes at higher frame rates or quality. The Nikon D7500 adds 4K video recording to its bag of tricks, with the ability to shoot at up to 30 frames per second. As well, the camera is able to record 4K video to both its own internal memory card as well as send out the uncompressed video stream through the HDMI port. To shoot 1080p60 or 1080p50 HD video on the D7200, you were presented with a 1.3x crop factor; to get a full-width image, you were limited to 30p or slower. This is no longer the case with the D7500, but a 1.3x crop option exists. To shoot 4K video on the D7500, you are presented with a 1.5x crop factor.

Both cameras use the PCM codec to encode audio during movie capture, can accept external microphones, and offer a headphone jack to monitor audio.

Other enhancements over the D7200 include a more sophisticated 180k-pixel metering sensor which allows for face detection and better object recognition/tracking when using the optical viewfinder, and Auto AF Fine Tune to make calibrating autofocus to your lenses easier.

Conclusion

As it is being replaced by the D7500, the D7200 is slightly less expensive at just under $1,000 body-only, while the list price for a new D7500 is around $1,250.

The D7500 is the fourth iteration in the D7XXX series, holding the line as Nikon's top model for the enthusiast photographer -- the only step up after this camera in the DX-sensor category is the pro-oriented D500, which is significantly more expensive ($1,900-2,000); or, you can venture into an FX-sensor body, where the entry camera for that category is the Nikon D610 ($1,500).

The D7200 is still a very capable camera, and some would argue that the additional features available in the D7500 are overshadowed by the features that have been abandoned by the D7500. The loss of support for AI/AIS lenses, the loss of a second SD card slot and the reduction from 24 megapixels to 21 megapixels might be too much of a compromise for some, in exchange for the addition of the tilting LCD screen and 4K video. As well, the lack of a battery grip could also be a deal-breaker.

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Differences

Nikon D7200 advantages over Nikon D7500

  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    210 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Nikon D7500 advantages over Nikon D7200

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,483 vs 1,333 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.2 fps vs 5.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 56 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.2 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    47 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 25600 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Canon 70D

Nikon D7200
Canon 70D
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7500
Canon 70D
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200
Pentax K-3
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D7500
Pentax K-3
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A77 II

Nikon D7200
Sony A77 II
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D7500
Sony A77 II
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon 80D

Nikon D7200
Canon 80D
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7500
Canon 80D
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-70

Nikon D7200
Pentax K-70
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7500
Pentax K-70
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged, weather-sealed body; Great ergonomics and loads of controls; Accurate optical viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent burst speed; Swift autofocus; Generous buffer depths; Superb battery life

  • Mixes plastic and magnesium-alloy panels on exterior; LCD monitor can't be tilted or swiveled; Presents a steep learning curve; No focus peaking in live view; Video mode feels a bit of an afterthought; New Wi-Fi features are rough around the edges

  • New carbon fiber body is light, compact and very comfortable; Same excellent image quality as the flagship D500; Quick 8.2 frames per second burst shooting with generous buffer; Very fast, accurate autofocus; Tilting touch-screen display; Very good battery life; Records ultra high-def 4K and 60fps Full HD too.

  • Only a single flash card slot; Doesn't support portrait / battery grip accessories; No rear infrared receiver any more; non-CPU AI lenses will be manual only; 4K video comes with a heavy crop; Movie AF is prone to hunting, Extended ISO sensitivities are a gimmick.

Nikon D7200 vs Nikon D7500 Discussion

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