Nikon D7000 vs Canon SL2

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Nikon D7000 vs Canon SL2

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APS-C 368.2mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D7000.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL2 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.
Compare Canon SL2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL2 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D7100
Compare D7000 vs D7100

Succeeded by the Canon SL3
Compare SL2 vs SL3

Compare NIKON D7100 vs CANON SL3

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Differences

Nikon D7000 advantages over Canon SL2

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D7000 test data on DxO Mark SL2 test data on DxO Mark

1,167 vs 1,041 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1050 vs 650 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
158 mm vs 88 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
39 vs 9
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.9 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
10 vs 5 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SL2 advantages over Nikon D7000

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
7 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
668g vs 1234g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.24 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D7000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon SL2

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)

All SL2 Deals

Review Excerpt

Very good image quality; Better than average noise vs. detail handling at high ISOs; Very good dynamic range in JPEGs, excellent in RAW files; Lots of high-end features in a relatively compact body; 6 fps burst mode.
Viewfinder not as accurate as specified; Viewfinder doesn't show ISO unless adjusting; No live histogram in Live View mode; No phase-detect Live View AF mode.
Read our Nikon D7000 Full Review

Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.
Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.
Read our Canon SL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 60D

Nikon D7000

Canon 60D

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$889
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Canon 60D

Canon SL2

Canon 60D

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$889
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon 60D

Compared to Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000

Pentax K-30

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-30

Canon SL2

Pentax K-30

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-5 II

Canon SL2

Pentax K-5 II

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Nikon D3500

Nikon D7000

Nikon D3500

$699
APS-C

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$623
APS-C

Built-in Bluetooth
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Nikon D7000

Canon SL3

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Canon SL3

Canon SL2

Canon SL3

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$632
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

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