The D7000 is a great upgrade for the every day enthusiast
Great, quality build. I started with a Nikon D40 and later upgraded to a D80. The D7000 is leaps and bounds better than the D80. It is a great camera that can be a little overpriced compared to Canon. The sensor is a major upgrade from the D80, and includes video. It is a great camera for the enthusiast who actually enjoys taking pictures and wants to learn about the camera a bit more than putting it on Auto mode. If you want ease of use, just stick to the D5000 or its equivalent. Auto mode is not going to make the pictures look any better than the D5000. If you do photography as a hobby or consider yourself an enthusiast, this is a better camera for you. It is a great stepping stone instead of buying the very expensive full frame cameras. It does great in low light settings, but not as great as a full frame camera would (but thats a given). The actual quality of the camera is great. It is sturdy and I have dropped mine once or twice. Luckily nothing has falling apart and it is working great. As always, Nikons lenses are always more expensive than Canon equivalent lenses. If cost is a factor, Canon is usually the cheaper option. I have been using Nikon and I built up a collection of lenses so I don't plan on switching anytime soon. I like the ergonomics of the body, especially with the extra battery grip attached.
djarrid
USA