Thoughts on the Nikon D7000.and which lens to buy as a Wildlife Photographer?

I'm looking at the D7000. I do alot of wildlife photography, upgrading my camera is a necessary requirement not just a lens upgrade I'm currently using a Sony a200 with a Tamron 70 - 300mm tele macro zoom lens. Would like to know peoples thoughts on this camera and which lenses would be best for wildlife photography.

The Nikon D7000 is a fine camera and when the 70-300 mm lens is added to it, you will be able to shoot wildlife. However, your current lens will not fit the Nikon. You will have to buy a lens that will.

Here is how the sensors of the A200 and D7000 compare

http://www.dxomark.com/...and2)/Sony

Your current setup is excellent - the Nikon uses the same sensor as the A200 (as does the Pentax K-30).

Changing systems will affect only your wallet, not the quality of your work.

A 70-300mm is a good lens for general wildlife, but for birding, you will likely want something a little longer. One favorite lens for birders is the Sigma 150-500mm f/5.6~6.3.It is a rather slow lens and will require the use of a tripod in most cases, but even then, at $1, 200 for a lens, it is probably the best lens most amateurs on a budget can afford.

For me, for birding use, I use a Nikon V1 with FT-1 adapter and a 70-300mm lens. With the smaller CX sensor, this lens is equivalent to a 196~810mm lens. While the smaller sensor of the V1 carries some limitation vs.a DSLR like the D7000, it is an effective setup for birding.

Of course, the Nikon V1/FT1 adapter solution is only cost effective if you already have lenses. Otherwise, you will end up spending more than you need to.

As can be seen at the DXOMark comparison, the D7000 sensor is far superior to the Sony a200. Combined with a 70-300mm lens you effectively have a 105-450mm lens which is greta for wildlife.

personally, when I'm going into one of the local game lodges I use a Sigma 50-500mm lens (with it on a window mount when in car, monopod or tripod when outside- it is much too heavy for handheld shooting). For more portable shooting I generally use the NIkkor 70-300mm vr2 lens when hiking or banging through bushes. In safer surrounds I mount the 200-400mm lens, very costly but an amazing lens! (yes, I'm a coward, I don't risk my 200-400 on hikes through game parks lol)

AJust sommethign to consider: The Nikon D7100 has been released. One very ood thing on ot for wildlife photography is that the resolution has been increased to 24 megapixels. While you generally don't need that many for most pictures, where it comes in very handy with birding/wildlife is that it lets you crop in very close on the picture and still retain high resolution for those pictures you want to pront out. This is often very useful when things are more distant than you would like and you want to be able to crop in and essentially expand those elements you are interested in