Nikon D7000 vs Df

The Nikon D7000 and the Nikon Df are two enthusiast cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2010 and November 2013. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (D7000) and a full frame (Df) sensor. The D7000 has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Df provides 16.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Nikon D7000		Nikon Df
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses		Nikon F mount lenses
16.1 MP – APS-C sensor		16.2 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/24p Video		no Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 25,600)		ISO 100-12,800 (50 - 204,800)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 921k dots		3.2" LCD – 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
6 shutter flaps per second		5.5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
1050 shots per battery charge		1400 shots per battery charge
132 x 105 x 77 mm, 780 g		144 x 110 x 67 mm, 760 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D7000 and the Nikon Df? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Nikon D7000 and the Nikon Df. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The Df can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D7000 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Df is notably larger (14 percent) than the Nikon D7000. However, the Df is slightly lighter (3 percent) than the D7000. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor (as in the Df) will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, while more compact options are available for the smaller-sensor camera (D7000). You can compare the optics available in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the D7000 gets 1050 shots out of its EN-EL15 battery, while the Df can take 1400 images on a single charge of its EN-EL14 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon D7000	132 mm	105 mm	77 mm	780 g	1050	Y	Sep 2010	1,499	ebay.com
2.		Nikon Df	144 mm	110 mm	67 mm	760 g	1400	Y	Nov 2013	2,749	ebay.com
3.		Canon 60D	145 mm	106 mm	79 mm	755 g	1100	Y	Aug 2010	1,399	ebay.com
4.		Canon 7D	148 mm	111 mm	74 mm	860 g	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699	ebay.com
5.		Nikon D7500	136 mm	104 mm	73 mm	720 g	950	Y	Apr 2017	1,299	amazon.com
6.		Nikon D850	146 mm	124 mm	79 mm	1005 g	1840	Y	Jul 2017	3,299	amazon.com
7.		Nikon D750	141 mm	113 mm	78 mm	750 g	1230	Y	Sep 2014	2,299	ebay.com
8.		Nikon D810	146 mm	123 mm	82 mm	980 g	1200	Y	Jun 2014	3,299	ebay.com
9.		Nikon D7100	136 mm	107 mm	76 mm	765 g	950	Y	Feb 2013	1,199	ebay.com
10.		Nikon D610	141 mm	113 mm	82 mm	850 g	900	Y	Oct 2013	1,999	ebay.com
11.		Nikon D4	160 mm	157 mm	91 mm	1340 g	2600	Y	Jan 2012	5,999	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D5100	128 mm	97 mm	79 mm	560 g	660	n	Apr 2011	749	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D3100	124 mm	96 mm	75 mm	505 g	550	n	Aug 2010	599	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D300S	147 mm	115 mm	81 mm	938 g	950	Y	Jul 2009	1,799	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D90	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	703 g	850	n	Aug 2008	1,299	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D300	147 mm	114 mm	74 mm	925 g	1000	Y	Aug 2007	1,799	ebay.com
17.		Nikon D200	147 mm	113 mm	74 mm	920 g	400	Y	Nov 2005	1,699	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The D7000 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 45 percent) than the Df, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D7000 features an APS-C sensor and the Nikon Df a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the Df is 132 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Technology-wise, the Df uses a more advanced image processing engine (EXPEED 3) than the D7000 (EXPEED 2), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

With 16.2MP, the Df offers a higher resolution than the D7000 (16.1MP), but the Df nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 7.29μm versus 4.80μm for the D7000) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Df is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 1 month) than the D7000, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The Nikon D7000 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Df are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-204800.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the Df has a markedly higher DXO score than the D7000 (overall score 9 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 1.1 bits higher color depth, 0.8 EV of lower dynamic range, and 1.5 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Nikon D7000	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/24p	23.5	13.9	1167	80
2.		Nikon Df	Full Frame	16.2	4928	3280	none	24.6	13.1	3279	89
3.		Canon 60D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.2	11.5	813	66
4.		Canon 7D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.0	11.7	854	66
5.		Nikon D7500	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.3	14.0	1483	86
6.		Nikon D850	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/30p	26.4	14.8	2660	100
7.		Nikon D750	Full Frame	24.2	6016	4016	1080/60p	24.8	14.5	2956	93
8.		Nikon D810	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/60p	25.7	14.8	2853	97
9.		Nikon D7100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.2	13.7	1256	83
10.		Nikon D610	Full Frame	24.2	6016	4016	1080/30p	25.1	14.4	2925	94
11.		Nikon D4	Full Frame	16.2	4928	3280	1080/30p	24.7	13.1	2965	89
12.		Nikon D5100	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.5	13.6	1183	80
13.		Nikon D3100	APS-C	14.2	4608	3072	1080/24p	22.5	11.3	919	67
14.		Nikon D300S	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.5	12.2	787	70
15.		Nikon D90	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.7	12.5	977	73
16.		Nikon D300	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.1	12.0	679	67
17.		Nikon D200	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.5	583	64

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The D7000 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the Df does not. The highest resolution format that the D7000 can use is 1080/24p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D7000 and the Df are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the Df has a higher magnification than the one of the D7000 (0.70x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D7000, the Nikon Df, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Nikon D7000	optical	Y	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0/s	Y	n
2.		Nikon Df	optical	Y	3.2 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.5/s	n	n
3.		Canon 60D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.3/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 7D	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	Y	n
5.		Nikon D7500	optical	Y	3.2 / 922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0/s	Y	n
6.		Nikon D850	optical	Y	3.2 / 2359	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	n	n
7.		Nikon D750	optical	Y	3.2 / 1229	tilting	n	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
8.		Nikon D810	optical	Y	3.2 / 1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
9.		Nikon D7100	optical	Y	3.2 / 1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0/s	Y	n
10.		Nikon D610	optical	Y	3.2 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
11.		Nikon D4	optical	Y	3.2 / 921	fixed	n	1/8000s	11.0/s	n	n
12.		Nikon D5100	optical	n	3.0 / 921	swivel	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
13.		Nikon D3100	optical	n	3.0 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
14.		Nikon D300S	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	7.0/s	Y	n
15.		Nikon D90	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.5/s	Y	n
16.		Nikon D300	optical	Y	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0/s	Y	n
17.		Nikon D200	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D7000 has one, while the Df does not. While the built-in flash of the D7000 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The Nikon D7000 and the Nikon Df both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D7000 and the Df write their files to SDXC cards. The D7000 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the Df only has one slot. The Df supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the D7000 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D7000 and Nikon Df and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Nikon D7000	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Nikon Df	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 60D	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon 7D	Y	mono / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Nikon D7500	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
6.		Nikon D850	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	Y	Y
7.		Nikon D750	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Nikon D810	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
9.		Nikon D7100	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Nikon D610	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Nikon D4	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Nikon D5100	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Nikon D3100	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon D300S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Nikon D90	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Nikon D300	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Nikon D200	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon Df (unlike the D7000) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D7000 and the Df have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D7000 was replaced by the Nikon D7100, while the Df does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the D7000 and Df can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D7000 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon Df Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Nikon D7000 and the Nikon Df? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D7000:

• More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (0.8 EV of extra DR).
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/24p movies.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• More compact: Is smaller (132x105mm vs 144x110mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (45 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2010).

Reasons to prefer the Nikon Df:

• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (9 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.1 bits more color depth).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.5 stops ISO advantage).
• Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (EXPEED 3 vs EXPEED 2).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.63x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1400 versus 1050) out of a single battery charge.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 1 month of technical progress since the D7000 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the Df emerges as the winner of the match-up (10 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D7000 and the Nikon Df place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D7000 and the Df in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon D7000	4/5	..	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	1,499	ebay.com
2.		Nikon Df	4/5	..	..	81/100	4/5	4/5	Nov 2013	2,749	ebay.com
3.		Canon 60D	5/5	+	..	79/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	1,399	ebay.com
4.		Canon 7D	5/5	+ +	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699	ebay.com
5.		Nikon D7500	4.5/5	+ +	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2017	1,299	amazon.com
6.		Nikon D850	4.5/5	+ +	5/5	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2017	3,299	amazon.com
7.		Nikon D750	5/5	+ +	4/5	90/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	2,299	ebay.com
8.		Nikon D810	5/5	..	5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2014	3,299	ebay.com
9.		Nikon D7100	5/5	+ +	..	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2013	1,199	ebay.com
10.		Nikon D610	4/5	+ +	..	87/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	1,999	ebay.com
11.		Nikon D4	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	5,999	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D5100	5/5	+ +	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2011	749	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D3100	5/5	+ +	..	72/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	599	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D300S	5/5	+ +	..	82/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2009	1,799	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D90	..	+ +	..	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D300	..	+ +	..	+ +	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,799	ebay.com
17.		Nikon D200	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	..	Nov 2005	1,699	ebay.com
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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