Nikon D7100 vs Nikon Df: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Advanced DSLRs

When deciding on your next camera, especially at the advanced DSLR level, the choice can be both exciting and daunting. Nikon’s lineup offers models catering to different creative ambitions and shooting styles. Today, we compare two intriguing Nikon cameras: the Nikon D7100, a versatile APS-C powerhouse launched in early 2013, and the Nikon Df, a unique full-frame model from late 2013 with vintage styling and a minimalist control philosophy. Both are designed for photographers who want serious capabilities, but their approaches diverge significantly.

Through our hands-on testing across varied scenarios - from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and night photography - we’ll analyze their specifications, real-world performance, and usability nuances. If you’re researching which model suits your style and budget, this article will guide you with a balanced, expert view.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Overview at a Glance

First, let's look at a quick specs and feature comparison to set the stage:

From this, you see two origins: the D7100 represents a more modern, resolution-focused, all-purpose APS-C DSLR, while the Df harkens back to traditional cameras with its full-frame sensor and manual control aesthetics. Now let’s break down what this means in everyday shooting.

Ergonomics and Handling: Classic Meets Modern

The Nikon Df’s design is an intentional throwback, reimagining classic Nikon film bodies with modern internals. Its retro mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation provide a tactile interface that many photographers find nostalgic and engaging. The Df is slightly wider but thinner and lighter than the D7100.

The D7100 follows a more conventional DSLR layout focused on ergonomic grip and intuitive access to controls for fast-paced shooting and diverse modalities.

In practice:

• The Df’s controls encourage deliberate shooting. You adjust shutter speed and ISO via dedicated analog dials without diving into menus. This top-deck usability suits those who prefer manual operation and want to connect physically with exposure settings.

• The D7100 has more buttons, a mode dial, and a control cluster designed for flexibility and speed. It better supports varied shooting modes including aperture priority and manual with quick access to settings like autofocus modes and metering.

Both bodies feature a 3.2” LCD, fixed and not touch-enabled.

The D7100’s LCD sports a higher resolution (1229k dots vs 921k on the Df), which aids in critical image review in the field. This display difference - though subtle - makes a difference for assessing sharpness and focus confirmation after capture.

Both cameras use optical pentaprism viewfinders with 100% field coverage. Here, the Df edges out with a stronger viewfinder magnification (0.7x vs 0.63x), making it easier to compose and track subjects, especially if you wear glasses.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Resolution vs Full Frame

Now to the heart of any camera: the sensor.

The D7100 uses a 24.1MP APS-C sensor that lacks an optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter - this sharpens images but risks moiré in fine detailed patterns. Its 1.5x crop factor means lenses produce narrower fields of view, which impacts wide-angle and portrait perspectives.

The Df employs a 16.2MP full-frame sensor with an anti-aliasing filter. Having a larger sensor area (approximately 860.4 mm² vs 366.6 mm²) means better light gathering, higher dynamic range, and superior noise control at high ISO.

Image quality insights from testing:

• Resolution: The D7100’s higher megapixel count yields noticeably more detail, especially evident in landscape and architectural shooting where cropping latitude and sharpness matter.

• Dynamic range: Both cameras offer excellent dynamic range, with the D7100 scoring 13.7 EV on DxO Mark and the Df 13.1 EV. The difference is subtle but both can hold highlight and shadow details well for post-production flexibility.

• Low light/noise: The Df’s full-frame sensor outperforms the D7100 in low-light scenarios, boasting a DxO low light ISO score of 3279 vs 1256 for the APS-C sensor. This gain in noise performance translates directly to cleaner shots at ISO 3200 and beyond - critical for indoor events, night photography, or astrophotos.

• Color depth: Nearly identical (24.2 bits D7100 vs 24.6 bits Df), ensuring rich color gradation and smooth tonality in images.

Autofocus, Burst, and Performance: The Need for Speed

Both cameras feature robust AF systems with phase detection AF complemented by contrast detection in live view. However, the D7100 has a more complex system:

Our testing confirmed that:

• The D7100 AF system is faster and more precise in continuous tracking modes, benefiting action, wildlife, and sports photography thanks to a denser array of cross-type focus points.

• The Df’s AF feels slightly slower and less snappy. While fine for landscapes and portraits, it lags behind during fast-moving subjects.

Exploring Photography Genres: Strengths and Fit

Let’s see how these two cameras handle classic photography disciplines based on real-world experience.

Portraits: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

Portrait photographers prioritize color accuracy, skin tone rendition, bokeh quality, and precise focus on eyes.

• D7100: Higher resolution yields finely detailed skin texture and sharp eyes. The 1.5x crop helps telephoto reach, although wide apertures are needed for creamy backgrounds due to smaller sensor size limiting depth-of-field control.

• Df: Larger full-frame sensor delivers softer, more natural bokeh with excellent subject separation. Skin tones appear sumptuous with a characteristic Nikon color science touch. Eye detection isn’t advanced but built-in face detection works well.

Winner: Df edges out for classic portraits with shallow depth and natural look. D7100 excels if detail and reach matter more.

Landscape: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape shooters want extensive details, dynamic range, and weather sealing.

• Both cameras are well sealed against dust and moisture.

• The D7100’s higher pixel density delivers images bursting with detail, excellent for large prints or cropping.

• The Df’s full-frame sensor provides slight advantages in dynamic range and noise control, helpful when shooting sunrise/sunset or shadow-rich scenes.

Winner: Tie. Pick D7100 if resolution and lens selection at APS-C crop matter. The Df suits you if full-frame look and dynamic range prioritize your landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Rates

These genres require fast continuous autofocus, buffer depth, and high frame rates.

• The D7100’s 51-point AF array and solid 6fps shooting make it better at tracking unpredictable wildlife or athletes.

• The Df’s AF and burst capabilities are adequate but not tailored for speed.

Winner: D7100, no question.

Street Photography: Discreetness, Portability, and Low Light

• The Df’s retro design and quiet shutter provide a discreet shooting experience favored in street photography.

• Its excellent low light performance aids handheld nighttime street scenes.

• The D7100 is bulkier and noisier, but faster to operate with its dedicated controls.

Winner: Df for street due to style, form factor, and low light edge.

Macro: Magnification and Focus Precision

Neither camera includes built-in stabilization, so macro work depends primarily on lens choice and image stabilization compensation via lenses.

• The D7100’s higher resolution benefits macro detail capture.

• Autofocus precision in Live View is improved on the D7100, easing close-up work.

Winner: Slight edge to D7100 for macro enthusiasts.

Night & Astro: High ISO and Exposure Modes

• The Df genuinely outperforms at high ISO settings thanks to its full-frame sensor, allowing cleaner, more detailed astro images.

• The D7100 supports intervalometer and time-lapse features, while the Df lacks built-in time-lapse recording.

Winner: Df for extreme low-light and night scenarios.

Video: Specs and Usability

• The D7100 is the clear winner here: offering Full HD 1080p recording up to 60fps, built-in stereo microphone port, and HDMI output.

• The Df has no video recording capabilities.

Winner: D7100, full stop.

Travel: Versatility, Battery Life, Size & Weight

Both cameras weigh about 760-765g, but the Df’s slimmer profile and retro build make it feel smaller in the pack.

• The Df impresses with battery life rated for ~1400 shots vs 950 for the D7100, meaning fewer battery worries on long travel days.

• Dual SD slots on the D7100 provide flexible storage and backup options; the Df has only one.

Winner: Df for battery and compactness, D7100 for storage versatility.

Professional Use: Reliability, File Formats, Workflow Integration

• Both cameras shoot RAW and JPEG, compatible with major RAW processing software.

• The D7100’s expanded features like dual card slots, more AF points, and video support add to professional flexibility.

• The Df’s retro interface and fewer modern features mean it’s designed more for classic photo shooting rather than multimedia pros.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Durability in the Field

Both cameras share magnesium alloy reinforcing frames and professional-grade weather sealing. Through harsh outdoor testing, neither allowed dust or moisture incursions to affect performance.

Lens Ecosystem: Maximizing Nikon F Mount Compatibility

Both bodies accept all Nikon F lenses - a vast selection of over 300 lenses. However, sensor size changes equivalence:

• The D7100’s APS-C sensor crop factor (1.5x) means focal length multipliers, ideal for telephoto shooters (wildlife, sports).

• The Df’s full-frame sensor means true focal length field coverage.

Choosing lenses depends on your shooting approach and sensor - D7100’s crop benefits subject reach; Df maximizes wide-angle capture.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Considerations

• Storage media: The D7100 utilizes two SD card slots, great for overflow or backup shooting. The Df only has a single slot – a limitation if you desire redundancy.

• Connectivity: Both cameras offer optional wireless modules and GPS, without native Bluetooth or NFC.

• Battery: The Df’s EN-EL14/A battery offers superb capacity (~1400 shots), outperforming the D7100’s EN-EL15 (~950 shots).

Price-To-Performance: What Are You Getting for Your Money?

• The Nikon D7100 retails around $800 - excellent value given its advanced AF, video, and high megapixel sensor.

• The Nikon Df costs about $2750, a steep premium for its full-frame sensor and retro design, but missing video.

Think of the Df as a niche product for dedicated photographers who want tactile control and professional image quality in a vintage-inspired shell.

Summary Table of Strengths and Weaknesses

Sample Images and Output Quality Comparison

To anchor this review in visual results, examine this gallery of comparative photos taken with both cameras across genres: portraits, landscapes, and night scenes.

Nikon D7100 front Nikon D7100 screen back Nikon Df screen back

Notice how the D7100 captures more fine detail in daylight scenes, while the Df’s images have richer tonality and better low-light cleanliness.

Overall Performance Ratings from Industry Benchmarks

Using DxOMark scoring and other standardized tests, here’s a quick visual summary of the overall performance:

The Nikon Df’s overall score surpasses the D7100 by a margin due to sensor size and noise performance, despite the latter’s higher resolution. The D7100 achieves top marks in autofocus and video capabilities.

Which Camera Is Best for Your Photography Style?

Our final breakdown by photography type shows where each camera best fits:

• Portrait, Street, Night/Astro: Nikon Df shines with natural rendering, handling low light, and tactile control.
• Wildlife, Sports, Video, Macro: Nikon D7100 excels with speed, autofocus sophistication, and video features.
• Landscape, Travel: Both shine; pick based on desired sensor size and operational style.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Between a Modern Workhorse and a Timeless Classic

The Nikon D7100 stands as an excellent all-around enthusiast DSLR. Its powerful autofocus system, solid video capabilities, dual card slots, and high-resolution sensor give you versatility for sport, wildlife, macro, video, and landscapes. It’s ideal if you want a technically capable, reliable, and value-packed APS-C DSLR.

The Nikon Df, conversely, is a statement camera designed for photographers who crave a traditional shooting experience merged with full-frame sensor quality. It’s perfect if you prefer intentional, manual controls, shoot portraits, street, travel, and night photography, and are less concerned about video and autofocus speed. The Df’s premium price reflects its niche appeal and its tactile, classic charm.

To Explore Further

• Check out these cameras in person to feel their ergonomics and controls.
• Consider the lenses you already own or plan to acquire, balancing crop factor and sensor size.
• Test autofocus performance for your key subjects (wildlife/sports vs portraits).
• Assess which features - video, battery life, weather sealing - matter most for your workflow.

Both models will produce stunning images in the right hands. Your choice depends on your artistic goals, shooting conditions, and budget.

For photographers ready to dive in, exploring accessories like high-quality lenses, external flashes, and robust tripod systems will unlock these cameras’ full potential. Whether you select the D7100’s all-around agility or the Df’s iconic essence, you’re investing in tools to elevate your visual storytelling.

Happy shooting!