Nikon D7200 vs Canon 70D

Introduction

For this article, I’ve chosen two similarly priced DSLRs, which also share similar specs and performance: The Nikon D7200 and the Canon 70D.

They are both great DSLR to start with, however, just as the name of this article suggests, we are going to try to compare them and mention even their slightest differences and details.

For those of you that have been reading my articles, you already know what a DSLR is, since I’ve made pretty much hundreds of reviews on DSLR cameras, nonetheless, for those of you that are new to the fandom, well, a DSLR is a digital single-lens reflex camera which as the name suggests, it uses a single-lens reflex mechanism.

Thus, these types of cameras are known as most high-end cameras out there, they are widely being used by professionals, photography enthusiasts, hobbyists, studios, commercial applications, and so on.

There are lots of models available in the mass market, ranging from low-cost to high-cost, however, before purchasing a DSLR, or even wanting to change from a specific type of camera to DSLR, make sure you know what type of features are you after more, for example, still photography, landscape, portrait photography, or videography, sports, action, wildlife, etc.

Knowing these details will make your “searching for a good DSLR camera” process way much easier, which is why we are also going to point out what purpose do these cameras serve better, which one outperforms the other in which way, and much more. So, let’s just start with the topic, and see why these cameras can be the perfect addition for you.

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Head To Head Comparison

Nikon D7200

Now, the D7200 is a highly-rated and a well-known DSLR in the camera industry, mostly due to its unique construction, and the fluid performance that it delivers. It packs a plethora of premium features, as well as some common features which can be found in almost any DSLR, and we’re going to make sure to mention everything. For those of you that have been using DX-line cameras before, you’ll be happy to know that the D7200 comes pretty much improved and upgraded in every aspect. So to start, we’ll first point out some interesting facts about the design, while after, we’ll talk more about specifics, performance, and features.

As I mentioned, this camera has a pretty unique construction, which is also why this camera also packs incredible durability, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the camera is heavy, on the contrary, it has a decent weight just like any other DSLR out there. It has well-thought-out button layout and placement, while you’ll find everything easy to reach and use, since there’s a place for your middle finger, which fits neatly underneath the protrusion for the shutter release button, and a place for your forefinger and thumb, more precisely, there’s a natural spot on the shutter release and rear scrolling dial.

Since I mention this in almost every camera review, I also like the textured spots on the body, which are there for added comfort, but also for extra points to the overall aesthetics of the camera. Now, when it comes to the screen, it has a 3.2-inches size with a 1229k-dot LCD screen, but if you’re hoping for a tilting design or flip-out design, you won’t have that here since the LCD is fixed, while it doesn’t have any touchscreen capabilities as well. This may be a problem for some users who are used to having these two essential features, but nonetheless, for the price you pay, it’s ok.

But what about performance? Is it similar to other previous DX-line cameras, or is it better?

First of all, it has a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, which delivers stunning image quality, with impressive details, sharpness, and vibrancy. But this is not the only thing that has been improved compared to its previous models, the camera also has a better image processor, the EXPEED 4.

Although there’s not really any improvement made in terms of continuous shooting performance, it still boasts the same 6 frames per second at full resolution, while you can get an extra 1fps in 1.3x crop mode. Regarding the autofocus, well, for the price you pay, it’s more than impressive, while it outmatches most other DSLRs at this price range and some of the above. To be more specific, this particular camera boasts a 51-point AF system and has a native ISO range of 100-25600, but that’s not all, it can also be expanded to 102,400 in B&W.

In terms of video performance, the camera can shoot full HD 1080p at 30/25p, but if you are looking for higher-resolution such as 4K, the D7200 doesn’t include that. To get back to the topic, there’s also another option to record videos, such as the 1.3x crop mode which allows you to shoot 60p/50p, and as an extension to your recordings, you can also attach a wireless mic, in this case, the Nikon ME-W1, and after you’re done, you can either save your work in one of the dual slots, or you can transfer them via an HDMI connection, but either way, you’ll still be good to go.

What’s really impressive when it comes to connections is that the camera has a built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, so in terms of versatility, you’ll be perfectly set. You can share or transfer your files anytime you want, but of course, using a compatible smartphone device or tablet, so all and all, you can choose which method suits you the most, and get the job done.

The guideline is, I think that this camera delivers great value for the price, while my only remark regarding its design is the lack of features when it comes to the screen, since you can’t tilt it in any way, while the screen also lacks touchscreen capabilities. If you can ignore not having these two features, then this camera would be your ideal choice.

Nikon D7200 Sample Footage:

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Canon 70D

Now, this camera comes at a relatively higher price than our first listed camera, the Nikon D7200. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Canon 70D is better than the Nikon D7200, it all depends on what you’ll use the camera, the purpose, is it still photography, is it portrait photography, landscape, commercial applications, videography, and so on.

Nonetheless, the Canon 70D is a high-end DSLR which is one of the most popular models to date, it has an impressive AF performance, while this is a camera which can accommodate all photography enthusiasts, hobbyists, professionals, and more.

To start off the right way, we will first point out some interesting facts about the design.

This particular model boasts a construct combination of conductive fiber and polycarbonate resin, while it has a solid feel to it, but nonetheless, if you compare it to its predecessors, this model comes at a more substantially larger size with a substantial handgrip. The most noticeable changes take all place on the rear of the camera, more precisely, at the control layout. For your information, if you’ve used other cameras of this line, the menu and info buttons have been moved from where they were previously, towards the top left of the camera’s rear much like the 700D, while live view activation and video control can now be accessed using the live view switch with start-stop button in the center.

Now, when it comes to the screen, if you didn’t know, Canon was the first company to implement touchscreen technology to its range of DSLRs, so here, in this case, touchscreen performance is very high-end. In addition, this 3-inch articulating touch panel LCD screen comes with 1,040,000-dots, while for shooting from different angles and viewing positions, the screen has a flip-out design which can be very useful in some specific situations.

Okay, let’s now get more into the specifics and reveal what is this camera truly capable of.

For starters, it has a 20.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor which runs the DIGIC 5+ image processor, while with the combination of these specs, it can shoot continuously at an impressive rate of 7 frames per second.

But that’s not all since the autofocus system is also something that needs to be acknowledged. To be more precise, this particular model has a 19-point AF system, while all 19 are cross-type AF points, while you will be provided with exceptional tracking even with fast-moving subjects.

Regarding the ISO range, the Canon 70D has a native ISO that stretches from 100-12800, while it can also be expanded to 25,600.

What I really like about this camera is the benefits of the groundbreaking Dual Pixel CMOS AF. Basically, they are all evident in video shooting, while the focus is maintained naturally and precisely even when switching between subjects. In addition, this combines with Movie Servo AF, which means that subjects that are in motion will be smoothly and consistently tracked, so basically, once focus is obtained, the camera won’t let go of it. Other than that, the shallow depth-of-field which is implemented by EOS optics will give your video a cinematic ambiance above all.

In terms of connections, the 70D has in-camera Wi-Fi technology which as the name suggests, allows for wireless transfer of images between the camera and a compatible smartphone device or tablet running the Canon EOS app. Apart from that, there’s also a built-in flash which boasts a guide number of 12, but it also doubles up as an IWT(Integrated Wireless Transmitter).

All and all, I really like this camera and I would suggest it to anyone who is looking for a second camera to go with, or to anyone who is trying to replace his/her current camera with a DSLR. It’s the perfect choice due to the plethora of premium features, and with its fast and decent performance, you’re unlikely to have any problems with it. If you decide to go with this one, i also recommend you take a look at our article about the best canon 70D tripods, because it makes everything much better and easier!

Canon 70D Sample Footage:

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Nikon D7200 vs Canon 70D Feature Comparison

	Nikon D7200	Canon 70D
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Megapixels	24.2	20.2
ISO Range	100-25600(102,400)	100-12800(25,600)
Flip-Out Screen	No	Yes
AF Points	51 AF points	19 AF Points
Viewfinder	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	No	Yes
Video Recording	Yes	Yes
Sensor Size	APS-C	APS-C

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Conclusion

By now, I believe you have enough arguments to supper your decision on which camera is most suited for you.

As for our first camera, the Nikon D7200, I think that it delivers great value for money, whereas it is also pretty similar to Canon 70D in both, performance and specs.

But at the end, the choice is yours, while the Nikon D7200 is a tad ahead with performance and specs, the Canon 70D comes with more features.

I would recommend the Nikon D7200 to people that are looking for an all-rounder DSLR which performs great in all aspects, whether it is photography or videography, and as for the Canon 70D, well, you can’t call it bad, but for the price, I think that the manufacturer could’ve done better. Nonetheless, it is still a great camera to go with, especially for those people that seek a feature-rich camera, and it would be a great camera for sports, wildlife, and events.

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