I'm trying to get my arms around how the D7000 might benefit me and my shooting style as compared to my D90. I shoot landscapes and nature 75% of the time followed by macro and occasionally portraits and indoor.

The U1,U2 controls, low light, more rugged body, and dual card slots are nice but I'm especially interested in how the resolution, metering system, and AF system in the D7000 will benefit me in the real world and would appreciate any suggestions or advice.

With macro and landscapes the greater resolution can provide more detailed sharper images (especially if you have to crop the image) if you use proper technique. There are a few threads detailing the fact that the pixel density of the d7k is less forgiving than the d90 in the sense that things such as camera shake will be more evident. It is important that you use proper technique and keep your shutter speeds up when hand holding. Good tripod technique produces great results, as usual.

The ISO performance of the d7k is outstanding. It is much better than the d90 or the 300/300s. It is simply amazing that Nikon can achieve this type of noise reduction in a sensor with such a high pixel density. The performance is more on par with the d700. This performance is quite an advantage when shooting indoors and in low light.

The metering system is very accurate in my experience. Some have found it shoots a little hot and requires -.3 to -.7 to even out. Standard Nikon metering system, works fine for some, others find it needs some compensation.

The AF system is much better than the d90 and more on par with the d300/300s. The low light AF is quite good. Check out this guys blog entries:

http://wildlifeacrossthewater.blogspot.com/2010/11/nikon-d7000-af-speed-test.html

http://wildlifeacrossthewater.blogspot.com/2010/11/nikon-d7000-af-impressions.html

Jason

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Your biggest benefit with landscape is extremely low read noise at low ISO allowing a lot more latitude in post adjustments, shooting to capture the bright areas without clipping and having a lot of room to bring up the shadows without increasing noise. That is different from what we have been used to. The base ISO DR is incredible, which is where you shoot with landscape and what is needed for such dynamic scenes.
The DR is in the range of the D3x.

Stan
St Petersburg Russia

Visit my Nikonians gallery.