Nikon Launches New Prosumer DSLR

2017.04.12

Yesterday Nikon unveiled a new APS-C DSLR to replace the D7200 reviewed here with a revised design featuring the same class-leading sensor as the very recent Nikon D500. The Nikon D7500 has all capabilities expected of a professional digital camera. Its weatherproof body features a large 100% coverage viewfinder and dual control-dials, plus a high number of external controls including traditional mode-dial, drive-mode dial and a top-plate status display.

The big news is certainly that the D500 sensor has already been passed one camera down. Nikon is solidifying its lineup by have two parallel high-end APS-DSLRs, the D500 and D7500 now, just like it does among entry-level DSLRs with the D5600 and D3400. The main difference is that the D500 is faster and more durable. The sensor now used in the D7500 is remarkable as the most sensitive APS-C CMOS sensor to date. Its native sensitivity range is an impressive ISO 100-51200 yet expands to a stellar ISO 1.6 millions! Its resolution of 20 MP is slightly lower than the 24 MP of the D7200 it replaces. Note that this is not the first time a newer camera reduces the megapixels count compared to its predecessor.

This sensor is capable of 4K Ultra-HD video at 30 FPS vcapture thanks to the same EXPEED 5 processor also found in the D500. For maximum sharpness, the Nikon D7500 does not use an Anti-Alias filter. The processor is energy efficient, allowing the D7500 to capture 950 images on a single charge.

Despite not being top in the lineup, the D7500 is decidedly fast. It can shoot continuously at 8 FPS with a buffer for 50 RAW files or 100 JPEG images. The 51-Point Phase-Detect AF system covers a large portion of the frame and is capable of continuous autofocus during burst shooting.

New to this model is a slim tilting 3.2" touchscreen LCD with 920K pixels. Its double hinge is flexible while keeping the screen aligned with the camera. The front has been redesigned slightly with a deeper grip.

The Nikon D7500 is scheduled to ship around the middle of Summer 2017 for a suggested retail price of $1249 USD or $1699 CAD.

• Digital Camera