Nikon has released the D7000 mid-level digital SLR.

The new D7000 is an upgrade option for D90 and D5000 users, which occupies a new position in Nikon’s DSLR lineup, between the D90 and D300S.

Housed in a magnesium alloy body, the feature-rich camera incorporates a 16.2Mp CMOS sensor, faster ‘Expeed 2’-branded processor, 921k dot 3.0″ LCD and can record 1080p24 full HD movies. It features Nikon’s latest 39-point AF system with 3D tracking and 2,016 pixel RGB metering sensor.

For the full Digital Photography Review preview read here.

For the Nikon press-release about the D7000 read here.

In addition to the announcement of the D7000 Nikon also announced a new flashlight, the Speedlight SB-700, and two fast, fixed focal length lenses compatible with the Nikon FX format, the AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G and AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II. They also informed the press that the total production of NIKKOR lenses for Nikon SLR cameras reached fifty-five million in August 2010.