Nikon D7100 sample videos : Up until a few years ago, it was unthinkable that you could also shoot respectable videos with your expensive DSLR camera. That is what camcorders were for, after all. These days, we expect more and more from the video function on an SLR camera. It is not surprising that the Nikon D7100 has a Full HD video function, which shoots 1080p recordings up to 60i/50i (in 1.3x crop mode) and 30p/25p/24p. The built-in stereo microphone equips videos with the right quality of audio. Additionally, it is possible to connect an external microphone and headphones. We performed an extensive practical test with the Nikon D7100’s video function.
Shooting Full HD videos with the Nikon D7100
To shoot Full HD videos, the Nikon D7100 has a large, 3.2-inch LCD screen with a mere 1.229.000 pixels. The video record button has changed, compared with the D7000. Next to the regular recording button, the one on top of the camera has moved and you have to move the Live View switch to ‘Video’ in order to start the video recording. This assures that your video recording will not start spontaneously. It takes a bit of searching to figure out which photographic functions are available while in video mode. For example, it is not possible to adjust the aperture. It is also not possible to adjust the ISO in the P, S, and A modes. You can, however, play with the lighting compensation, to get somewhat comparable results. The Nikon D7100 uses AF with contrast detection, and we would have liked to see this react a bit faster. When the camera has to switch focus from a close subject to one further away, you notice a definite transition, and vice versa as well. Still, we are extremely satisfied with the D7100’s general video quality. The lighting, colors, and white balance are shown well, and the audio quality is more than sufficient.
Shooting uncompressed videos with the D7100
Uncompressed videos can be easily streamed to an external recorder via the HDMI port, which offers more possibilities of editing the video afterwards. This form of shooting video is gaining in popularity. The uncompressed video files cannot be saved directly to the memory card, due to the large size of the files. It is possible to save a compressed copy to the memory card, but then the quality decreases to a maximum of 720p HD, instead of 1080p Full HD.
Nikon D7100 test videos
Below are a number of video test shots made with the Nikon D7100 SLR camera, in combination with the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR zoom lens. The Nikon D7100 test videos were shot during the annual tractor pulling event in Meerkerk, the Netherlands. The video quality is normally set to 360p by YouTube, but you can change the quality to 1080p for optimal viewing.
Nikon D7100 test videos
Nikon D7100 test video : Tractor pulling Meerkerk 2013, the Netherlands
Nikon D7100 video : Tractor breaks down during the race
Nikon D7100 video review : Pulling team Simply Green achieves success in Meerkerk
Nikon D7100 test video : Scania truck pulls pulling sled successfully over 100m
Nikon D7100 video : Volvo truck pulls a Full Pull with ease
Nikon D7100 video review : Children enjoy the carousel
Nikon D7100 sample videos : Up until a few years ago, it was unthinkable that you could also shoot respectable videos with your expensive DSLR camera. That is what camcorders were for, after all. These days, we expect more and more from the video function on an SLR camera. It is not surprising that the Nikon D7100 has a Full HD video function, which shoots 1080p recordings up to 60i/50i (in 1.3x crop mode) and 30p/25p/24p. The built-in stereo microphone equips videos with the right quality of audio. Additionally, it is possible to connect an external microphone and headphones. We performed an extensive practical test with the Nikon D7100’s video function. 
