Nikon D200 10.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body Only

Nikon D200

Strengths: Professional build quality, outstanding results. Magnesium body with water resistant seals.

Weakness: None

I purchased my D200 about 9 months ago, along with a Nikkor 18-200 VR lens. Once you've read the 222 page manual and have some idea how to work this tecnological wonder, the quality of the photographs rival those I used to get with a high end film SLR. The menus and their many submenus have built in guidance if you need help while you're setting the camera up. Customizing these menus really...
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I purchased my D200 about 9 months ago, along with a Nikkor 18-200 VR lens. Once you've read the 222 page manual and have some idea how to work this tecnological wonder, the quality of the photographs rival those I used to get with a high end film SLR. The menus and their many submenus have built in guidance if you need help while you're setting the camera up.
Customizing these menus really brings out the best in the D200.I chose an Extreme IV 2 gig Compact Flash card which is so fast the D200, shooting at 5 frames per second, cannot overrun its internal buffer.
Battery life has been fine but I carry an extra just in case. The popup flash unit works well for short indoor shots. For outdoor work or for shooting in large halls like a church, I'd recommend a quality external flash unit.
If you're going to get a polarizer, be sure it's a CIRCULAR polarizer. Linear polarizers don't work correctly with DSLR light metering hardware.
This is a really superb piece of equipment with almost all the best features of the professional D2X which costs 3 times as much. It will satisfy even the most critical photographer with its outstanding photos.

By steel520 - Nov 23, 2007

Nikon has done it again!

Strengths: Build quality is pro-level, 2/3 technology and capability of the D2X at 1/3 the price, 2.5" LCD Screen

Weakness: Low battery life (compared to D70 and D2X)

I love the way this cameras feels in my hands especially the build quality and weight.

Add a MB-D200 grip to the camera and not only do you have an extra battery and vertical shutter, but the balance just got that much better.

The Nikon D200 has lived up to and exceeded all my expectations!

By jamesjahn - Jan 6, 2006

Nikon D200

Strengths: Build quality, handy ISO-WB-QUAL buttons, large viewing area

Weakness: Nikon Capture costs extra, and it's a slow software. Custom naming for file a good feature, but still limited to 3 letters. Flash sync is a step backwards from D70's 1/500.

I have received this camera and have been loving it, even though it's only been a short time. The extra resolution compared to my d70 is not important in most repects, but in my case I anticipate a lot of cropping, and the extra resolution will come in handy. It's a highly recommendable camera for any pro-sumer. Update after 1 month of use (1000 frames later): This camera truly is great. focusing...
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I have received this camera and have been loving it, even though it's only been a short time. The extra resolution compared to my d70 is not important in most repects, but in my case I anticipate a lot of cropping, and the extra resolution will come in handy.
It's a highly recommendable camera for any pro-sumer.

Update after 1 month of use (1000 frames later):
This camera truly is great. focusing is much improved vs. D70, where a lot of searching and inability to auto-focus occurred. The feel is very professional, with a solid grip and weight to it. Noise level is much reduced compared to before as well. The custom functions are very handy. I have set them such that I can use one custom function for each of Portrait, landscape, normal, and B&W shooting to optimize images differently. Flash photography is as accurate as ever, with exposure as accuarate as I have experienced with Nikon's film cameras. Banding has not been an issue for this camera with serial 3032xxx. I managed to reduce the cost of the camera by close to $100 with a combination of rebates from Pricegrabber, Fatwallet, and AmericanExpress. It's a great deal, and I think I have finally found what I have always wanted in a DSLR, or very close to it anyway.

By cowfunone - Mar 9, 2006

If you know what you're doing, you'll love it

Strengths: Massive viewfinder, massive LCD, super fast, incredible metering/AF

Weakness: Limited add-on availability

I had been seeking a good solid DSLR for a few months when the D200 was announced in early November. A quick download of the brochure showed that this camera was far superior than the D70s for not much more in price ($1,699 for the D200 vs. $999 for the D70s). The camera. You have to hold it to believe it. It feels solid, well constructed and just amazing. Nikon has pulled out all the stops on...
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I had been seeking a good solid DSLR for a few months when the D200 was announced in early November. A quick download of the brochure showed that this camera was far superior than the D70s for not much more in price ($1,699 for the D200 vs. $999 for the D70s).

The camera. You have to hold it to believe it. It feels solid, well constructed and just amazing. Nikon has pulled out all the stops on making this beast. Sure, it's no D2x/D2Hs, but it's about as close as you can get without skipping a mortgage payment.

The camera's features are just amazing all around. The AF system is all-new and has 7 or 11 AF areas (you choose). The super short blackout time (just 15ms more than the D2Hs) allows you to do high-speed photography without risking losing the subject. The viewfinder is BRIGHT and BIG! The on-demand grid is super convenient and is a great help when shooting landscapes etc.

The 2.5" LCD is HUGE and the viewing angles (170° up/down/left/right) and the richness in the image makes it a pure pleasure to see.

Ergonomically, the camera is perfect. Everything just fits into the right spot- controls are where they should be, using buttons feels natural, and the camera is very well balanced.

All said, this is one amazing piece of engineering, and if you know what you're doing, this will really allow you to push your skills as a photographer.

Ok, now go get it!

By pramit - Dec 21, 2005

About time Nikon users have a competetor to the 20D

Strengths: Fantastic price, awesome image quality, fast focusing, super large LCD, wireless flash system, enviromental seals and solid Magnesium alloy (Mg) body. Professional quality camera for under 2 grand!

Weakness: Made in Thialand, not Japan.

For over a year Nikon users like me have been wondering if we bought into the right camera system when Canon seems to be ahead of them with every introduction. Well Nikon not only hit a home run with this camera, but they hit the ball completely out of the park with this introduction! When Nikon announced this camera I sold my D70 and pre-ordered the D200. This camera is going to quickly become a...
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For over a year Nikon users like me have been wondering if we bought into the right camera system when Canon seems to be ahead of them with every introduction. Well Nikon not only hit a home run with this camera, but they hit the ball completely out of the park with this introduction! When Nikon announced this camera I sold my D70 and pre-ordered the D200.
This camera is going to quickly become a working pros workhorse as it is built like a pro camera, has most of the features of the $5000 D2X for less than 1/2 the price. I have been using the D2x for 6 months, and while I have only had my D200 for a week, I can already tell that it is a better value for the money. I love the new focusing grid layout. Hey Nikon, how about an upgrade to the D2x to give it the same focus layout, perhaps as a firmware upgrade? A couple of the focus points in the D2X are too close to the edge of the frame, but they have them in the perfect place for the D200.
Focusing is quick, and the 2.5 inch LCD is sharp, clear, and bright. It seems to be slightly larger than what is on my D2X. It took Nikon a while, but when they came out with this camera, they easily beat the 20D hands down! I wonder what Canon is going to do next to top this?
Summary: The D70 & D70s are great cameras, but are not built rugged enough to take the abuse and demands of a professional photographer. The D50 seems to be great for a low priced D-SLR with great image quality for your beginning shooter, but it won't take compact flash cards. The D2X is built like a tank, and can take the battles of everyday use with superior image quality, but it is pricy at $5000. You give up only 2 megapixels of the D2x and you get a camera that has 90% of the features, built almost as sturdy & strong for a fraction of the price. This camera is truly a baby D2x, and the best value for the money today. Nikon has a real winner here. Look for a lot of pros to be using it.

By Whitty1 - Dec 25, 2005