Originally Posted by
jacknyoc
I bailed on the D5100 a couple of months ago. Got a good deal on a D7000 and have never looked back. It's got a great feel; great IQ (granted the insides are virtually identical to the D5100); great features which I like a lot. It's a bit heavier but not as bad as I thought it would be...and certainly nothing like the D200 kit.
Glad to hear you like the D7000! I have one too and really like it.
I moved up from a D80, which was kind of like the lesser-priced version of your old D200. The D7000 is superior to the D80 in terms of much better high-ISO and very-long exposure performance, has a faster "motor drive" and a bigger buffer, and has some neat features like the rear-mounted IR target, "U" presets and built-in "virtual horizon". I use all those features all the time.
The D7000 is heavier because its more sturdily built. I added to all that weight with a vertical grip, second battery and an L-bracket for easy vertical shooting on a tripod. Its a beefy little camera!