Nikon’s D200 is the follow-up to the D100, which was introduced in the summer of 2002 and has been in production ever since. When it was first released, the D100 competed against Canon’s EOS-D60, which has since been updated twice, with a third replacement likely to be revealed by March. After what seems like an eternity, Nikon finally releases its newest digital SLR, and the company has gone all out to make it a standout model.
The Nikon D200 is positioned between the D70s and the D2X and is intended for photographers ranging from serious amateurs to professional photographers. It has a 10.2-megapixel resolution, excellent build quality, a large number of functions, and is extremely quick to operate. Many of the D200’s features are derived directly from the D2X, which is the top-of-the-line model.
Nikon D200 digital SLR camera from the front.
In this review, we’ll take a close look at the Nikon D200, which is available in the UK as a stand-alone camera or as a kit with either the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 G IF-ED or the Nikkor AF-S DX 17-55mm f2.8 G ED lenses, all of which are excellent options.
For the majority of our tests, we used a 17-55mm f2.8 lens, which proved to be an excellent fit for this higher-end camera body. Our studio resolution tests were conducted with the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 lens, which was provided by Nikon.
It is our belief that the D200 will appeal to two separate types of photographers: serious amateurs who are seeking for a step up from bodies such as the D70s, and professionals who either want a backup body for their D2X or who cannot afford the cost of Nikon’s high-end model.
As a result, in this review, we’ll compare the D200 against Nikon models that are both above and below it in the Nikon lineup. We’ll also compare it to two of Canon’s key competitors, the EOS-20D and the 5D Mark II.
Is the Nikon D200 only an update for D100 and D70s users, or is it a real professional-spec workhorse that can compete with the D2X in terms of image quality? Continue reading to find out. Please keep in mind that the unit under test was running firmware version 1.01.
Nikon D200 Specs
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
| Max resolution | 3872 x 2592 |
| Other resolutions | 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 10 megapixels |
| Sensor photodetectors | 11 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) |
| Sensor type | CCD |
| ISO | 100 – 1600 in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps (up to 3200 as boost) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| White balance presets | 6 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal, Basic |
| Autofocus | Phase DetectMulti-area selective single-pointSingleContinuous |
| Digital zoom | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Articulated LCD | No |
| Screen size | 2.5″ |
| Screen dots | 230,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Live view | No |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.94× (0.63× 35mm Equiv.) |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Built-in flash | Yes (pop-up) |
| Flash range | 12.00 m |
| External flash | Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless plus sync connector) |
| Flash modes | Front curtain, Rear-curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| Microphone | None |
| Speaker | None |
| Storage types | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
| Storage included | None |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | No |
| Remote control | Yes (Optional) |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes (Water and dust resistant) |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 920 g (2.03 lb / 32.45 oz) |
| Dimensions | 147 x 113 x 74 mm (5.79 x 4.45 x 2.91″) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | Optional |
| GPS notes | GP-1 |
