Nikon announces the D7100 DSLR: $1,200, 24MP DX sensor, improved speed and focusing (update: hands-on!)

Not eager to fork over two grand for Nikon's full-frame D600? You might take interest with the company's new D7100, a lightweight DSLR with a brand new DX-format (APS-C) sensor and a handful of other goodies to boot. The 24.1-megapixel cam's imaging technology follows a now-commonplace industry trend by dropping the optical low-pass filter in favor of enhanced resolution. Naturally, the D7000 successor includes a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 25,600 (Hi 2), along with improved noise reduction for better results in low-light. There's a D4-like EXPEED 3 processor with support for 6 frames-per-second shooting in any mode, even when capturing 12- or 14-bit RAW images. A unique 1.3x DX crop function boost that rate to 7 fps, however, while capturing a maximum of 15.4-megapixel stills and 1080/60i or 50i video, compared to 1080 30/25/24p in the regular mode. There's a 3.2-inch 1.229M-dot LCD, an OLED display inside the viewfinder for crisper data readout, and plenty more if you read on!

Gallery: Nikon D7100