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Researched this class of Digital SLR's for over two months before deciding on the Nikon D200, and I'm glad I did. Is as close to the professional grade cameras as you can get for the money, while totally outclassing the consumer offerings. The build quality and overall capability makes this the perfect camera for the advanced amateur, and will serve to make you a more accomplished photographer. I combined the D200 with the equally extraordinary Nikor 18 - 200 VR zoom lens; a great combination for all around great photos.[...]
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
I own the Nikon D70s, D100 & use the D2x, but this is my favorite camera by far. The controls are very conviently laid out, easy to make quick adjustments. I use the 70-200VR and 17-55 most of the time on this body and have been very pleased with the results. I prefer this to my D2x, 99% of the time this is in my hands! If your looking for a top performer without having to spend [$] this is the easy choice!
I've had my D200 for about 6 months and I can't put it down. As I get more familiar with its features, I continue to be amazed by its results. Definitely need good lenses for outstanding photos. If I could make a change, it would be to improve it's low light sensitivity.
One D200 was not enougth. I went online and purchased a second one from our friends of Adorama. If you are serrious about your photography, and want to be effective and vesitile, it pays to have two cameras that are the same. You obviously have one for back up. In my case I have wide angle lens one d200 and 70-200mm on the other. Set this way you pretty much can shoot what ever you want, and get comparable results. Also you wont get confused with camera set ups.
I have read many blithering complaints about the d200 not holding a charge on one battery very long. Well I would say get the MB-d200 duel battery attachment and not worry about it. You cant run a Cadalac with a VW engine. I also have six total batteries. 2 of them are allways ready and charged. So if you are going to live in modern times you will need extra batteries.
I recently covered a sports event with the d200 and determined that it is a work horse. I shot 3 frames a second. As long as I had charge, I shot like there was no tomorrow. Unfortunately at that time I had a sub-pro level camera for back up. It was no match for the d200. I decided then it was time to get real and get another d200.
Image quality can be set for exactly how you want your images to look. To me the images are amazing. I like to go into the menu / Custom settings/ optimize image/ and set for color saturate. I love lots of color and the d200 will give you what you ask of it. If you dont know much about the d200, I would reccomend a tutorial DVD by "Blue Crane" Called simply Nikon D200. This will have you up and running in very little time.
So How do I rank the D200? I like it so well I bought a second one. Anyone that would consider shooting an important event needs to think about having a back up. Dont leave home with out it. If you are buying the first d200, get the DVD and save time. You will be so glad you did.
Great camera, I upgraded to this from the D70 which was also a wonderful camera, I strongly recommened the battery grip if youre doing any type of portrait photography as the grip gives you the second shutter release.
Have used it to shoot sports, birds, weddings, portraits, etc. Based on the reviews I've read I don't think there is a DSLR out right now that represents a better value. The controls are right where you need them to be. I have used one for about a year, quite often in extremes ofheat, moisture, etc. It works so well, bought one to replace ourD 70 S. We nver use our D 100 or D70 S anymore. If you're a Nikon shooter buy one, you won't regret it.
Solid well built and top quality. This camera is built like the old film cameras. Capable of large prints! This is a pro camera in every respect.
from Lake Tahoe, CA on 3/28/2007
Having upgraded from a D100, the D200 is substantially faster all around with better controls and body. I shoot a lot of raw images in continuous mode - not a problem except I need a 4GB memory card.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Pennsylvania on 3/27/2007
You can really see things close up in your photos. Just Powerful.
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from Miami, Florida on 3/26/2007
It has become my primary body. I'm a web designer and need it the quality of a professional SLR without the high price tag and the D200 has given me all I need.
from Arlington, VA on 3/26/2007
Takes a little bit time to get used to the huge range of features, but an amazing camera.
from South Jersey on 3/26/2007
The D200 is an easy to use camera that has lots of extra features. I especially like the ablility to interface with and command my SB-600 and 800s right form the camera's menu.
from Pittsburgh, Pa on 3/26/2007
I just did a wedding last week and the prints are fantastic. I've only had the camera for about a month, moving up from a D70, which is now my backup. There's a lot more "stuff" in the D200 compared to the D70, but so far I absolutely love the camera. Can't wait to take it on the next backpacking trip.
Buy one, it's worth the price.
from Sterling, IL on 3/26/2007
I love having all of the options available with this camera. Upgraded from a D70S (which I still love for some purposes). Very useful to me, is the 4 user banks - so I can have pre-programmed settings for varying photo-tasks. I've shot over 10,000 images this year so far, and will probably never use everything the D200 has to offer... but its nice having the features available. I would give 5 stars, but I haven't used every camera out there...
from Canton, OH on 3/26/2007
I love it
from Hollywood Florida on 3/18/2007
It is well worth the price and the weight. I carry the D200 with a long zoom on a wrist strap all day long. It is great for butterfly, bird, and flower photography.
Very well made, excellent controls, sounds and feels like a real camera. It's the best there is at the moment, but I'm now waiting for the full frame D300.
Went to Washington, DC, middle of Feb. 07 and used it both indoors and outdoors with excellent results. Indoors low light situations and outdoors in a blizzard below freezing temps. Performance never lacked as well as the battery lasted all day. I came over from the Olympus E1 which is as rugged as they come, and am happy I did. Going to Jamaica next to take some travel photo's so this little gem will get another eco workout.
from Lower Alabama on 2/13/2007
Nikon is the standard. I wish they would put products out as quickly as Canon. This camera was due out long before Nikon shipped it.
from Plymouth MA on 2/13/2007
I has been a learning curve for me, but I have truly enjoyed using the camera so far. We took a lot of senic Photo's in New Hampshire. It was great to be able to shot many shoots in a row and then get back in the warm car.
from Albuquerque, NM on 2/13/2007
As a hobbyist I had to think long and hard about the expense of upgrading to the D200 from the D70, but I'm glad I made the plunge. The controls you can get to directly, without going through the menus, makes changing the setup much quicker and easier for me. The camera feels very sturdy and well-balanced, like you are holding something substantial and professional in your hands. The jump from 6 to 10 megapixels is not all that significant for most pictures up to 8x12, but it helps a lot for those shots of birds or animals where you can't get as close as you like, and you end up cropping a lot.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Hamilton, OH on 2/12/2007
Having been an owner of several Nikon film cameras, it was a distinct advantage to be able to utilize existing lenses that I own with both my film and digital camera bodies. Nikon has made dependable products with which I am familiar and when considering a digital camera, there wasn't a question as to what i would be purchasing for my use.
The Nikon D200 has proven itself to be a very dependable camera and was easy to incorporate into my daily use along with existing film cameras.
from Corona, CA on 2/12/2007
I sure do love my camera! It takes great pictures.
from Southern California on 2/12/2007
I upgraded from D100 and am very satisfied with the D200. It is a very versatile, great in low light conditions and has better auto focusing capabilities. Looking forward to using with the Nikon R1 Wireless Close-up Speedlight System.
from South San Francisco on 2/12/2007
Great camera and good price.
from Cypress,Texas on 2/12/2007
Upgraded from D-70,I could see the difference in color rendition, and better white balance. immediately. Controls are intuitive and needed little adjustment to take pictures.Recommend getting the MB-D200 for Events.
from California on 2/12/2007
Fine production available. Go for it.
from Toronto, Ohio on 2/12/2007
I had a D100 Nikon that I thought was disappointingly slow at writing pictures to the memory card. Traded it in on the D200 and have no regrets. Even with the larger file sizes at 10.2 megapixels, it shoots circles around the D100.
from OJAI CA. on 2/12/2007
You will enjoy a camera made to last a long time. 10.2 megs is good.
from Colorado on 2/12/2007
Good combination - rugged, frequently used controls are easy to access, good resolution. No special exposure modes to complicate the controls. Seems like it's priced at a premium to support Nikon R&D efforts (for pro and consumer cameras) relative to price of similar resolution consumer cameras (D80). I still like it a lot.
from Saint Petersburg, FL on 2/12/2007
I find that this camera to be the best camera I have ever owned. I would recommend the Nikon D200 to anyone who is serious our wants to become a serious photographer. This camera is by all means a professional camera, with a few more more features.
Get one and enjoy your photography better then you can imagine.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Houston, Texas on 2/12/2007
Great camera, I used 35 mm N90S cameras and the D200 is the digital upgrade of the N 90S. Great handling, ease of use and outstanding pictures.
from Massachusetts on 2/12/2007
A solid camera to start with, add the dual-battery pack and 70-300 VR telephoto lens, and it's quite a handful. Not something you would want to leave hanging around your neck for very long - but a great high-end camera for the serious hobbyist.
Battery life is only fair - carry spares. The camera's multiple options, menus, and other controls will require study to take maximum advantage of its features.
Under some situations I was not pleased with the JPG treatment of scenic shots, and now shoot in RAW, using PhotoShop to provide maximum picture workflow control.
from Woodbury, NY on 2/12/2007
Solid built, with a lot less weight than a DX2s yet similar performance.
from Provo, UT on 2/12/2007
I've owned a D100 and two D70's and debated upgrading to the D200. I finally broke down and did it. I was not disappointed. It is just as easy to use but has many more hidden features. I've also bee impressed with the good color representation. I have much less color corrections to do in post. I use it all the time. I've been especially happy with the 5 FPS which allows me to really capturegreat images. The price has recently dropped so it's an even better deal now.
from Arlington, TX on 2/12/2007
This is my favorite camera. I use it for everything and the others now stay at home.
from Montreal, CANADA. on 2/12/2007
For the best performance and the good quality use Nikon D200.
from Ponte Nova, Minas State, Brazil on 2/12/2007
It is just perfect!!!
from brady,tx on 2/12/2007
feels like my F5. easy to handle and use.
from Medford, NJ on 2/12/2007
Pricey but well worth it! I think I'll be taking my best pictures ever.
from Miami Fla on 2/12/2007
I love this camera
from BRADFORD, ON CANADA on 2/12/2007
The Nikon D200 offers the best compatibilty in the market-place to any older Nikon camera system equipment, with a professional quality, yet in an affordable price.
from Pittsburgh, PA on 2/12/2007
I have two D200's.......and I wouldn't switch to another brand. ......(sorry Canon)
from Hartsville S.C. on 2/12/2007
Used the camera right out of the box. This camera was more than I expected;and that's a good thing!
from Laguna Niguel, CA on 2/12/2007
One thing I have to stress about this camera: you must get a high quality lens for it to shine.
from Los Angeles, CA on 2/12/2007
Even though it's better than film (something most seem to forget), it's hard to ignore the superior low-light noise of the full-frame Canons. Still, if you learn to always use the built-in flash, very few shots will disappoint. I also wish the maximum sharpness was, well, sharper - but this is not a real issue as far as actual prints go, merely a side effect of my geekiness; after all, not even I print out 2x3 foot enlargements :c)
from San Francisco, CA on 2/12/2007
The only DSLR you will ever need. Buy your last camera first! Nikon will never disappoint you.
from Walnut Creek, CA on 2/12/2007
Love the depth of field from 'program' and the excelent color saturation. Camera does the thinking allowing me to work on geting the shot.
from Houston, TX on 2/12/2007
It not only met my expectations, but went far beyond!
from REISTERSTOWN,MD on 2/12/2007
INITIALLY COMPLICATED, BUT WITH PRACTICE YOU ONLY GET BETTER WITH THIS CAMERA!
from Downers Grove, Illinos on 2/9/2007
Excellent product that accomodates and exceeds my skills to utilize it and challenges me to improve. One criticism: main command dial is sloppily loose and in the hustle of hurried action and handling, gets bumped off my shutter speed selection by several stops. Needs to be "stiffer". This is a young camera.
Buy one, you will not be disapointed
from Myrtle Beach,SC on 2/9/2007
Very happy.I wish using integrated flash in commander mode was simpler.Results are great.
from San jose,CA on 2/9/2007
I got my D200 last month,upgrade from D70s,love it,mainly I like D200 can meter on MF lens,I collect a large number of AI and AIs Nikon MF lens,in A mode camera set the shutter speed for you,in M or S mode camera will tell you either under or overexpose by show the - or + of expose comp meter,one thing if you don't want to learn and hate do setting,don't buy this camera,I rate the battery life not so good,because I had the D70s for year and love the battery life of it,well,overall a nice camera,get couple more back up bettery.
from Long Island New York on 2/8/2007
I love this camera, 5 pics per second is great for sports. I'm going to buy a second one.
from Newport RI on 2/6/2007
Works as expected. Customize the controls to avoid drilling through the menues. Compatible with legacy (non-CPU) Nikkor lens. The body is heavy, but solid. The dynamic range of the sensor is not as broad as hoped for.
from Kalamazoo, Michigan on 2/6/2007
This D200 has lived up to the super reviews I read prior to purchase. The performance is great-now I need to figure out what coverage range with what lense when used between the D200 & my F5.{due to the1.5 factor}.
from El Paso, Texas on 2/6/2007
My only criticism of the camera is that when you get dust on any sensors it affects the quality of the shot particularly with light, monotone backgrounds. My mother's Canon camera has a better software program for removing dust spots from the images.
from Nashville, TN on 2/5/2007
So far, this is the best digital camera I have bought/used! The menu and features are simple to use... I've even compared it to a very high priced competitor, and you know what? The Nikon D-200 still won me over... durable body, interchangable Nikon lenses, simple menu, and 10MP to top it off. All that for a great, affordable price! I'm so glad I didn't choose anything else! Thanks, Nikon... keep the greatness, and quality (at reasonable prices) coming!
from Bethel,CT on 2/5/2007
Above expectations, a long way to get familiar with all the possibilities.
from Davis, CA on 2/5/2007
The D200 is well constructed, very balanced, and thoughtfully engineered. I have a D100 and a D2X, and the camera’s output compares favorably to the D2X with the footprint of the D100. I received the camera on a Friday and was on the road to Mexico with it the following Tuesday. It worked flawlessly and enabled me to capture the full spectra of photographic possibilities; it’s quick to focus (except in very dim light), the built in flash is excellent for short range and fill applications, the controls are well placed, and I didn’t have to read the manual to work the camera effectively. The only thing I missed from the D2X was the vertical release! Coupled with the 18-200DX VR lens it screams to be taken along everywhere.
from Nashville, TN on 2/5/2007
So far, this is the best digital camera I have bought/used! The menu and features are simple to use... I've even compared it to a very high priced competitor, and you know what? The Nikon D-200 still won me over... durable body, interchangable Nikon lenses, simple menu, and 12MP to top it off. All that for a great, affordable price! I'm so glad I didn't choose anything else! Thanks, Nikon... keep the greatness, and quality (at reasonable prices) coming!
from San Diego on 2/5/2007
As my first digital SLR, I needed this camera to be easy to learn. As a professional boat photographer, I needed fast action results that were razor sharp and suitable for advertising reproduction and as an avid shutterbug hobbyist and travel photographer, I wanted amazing color results and beautiful large enlargements. The speed of this camera has produced perfection in action photography that I was totally unable to get with a digital camera before. As the only camera of this ruggedness that is not a gigantic beast with a built-in portrait grip (the Eos 5D is a plastic body and not enviromentally sealed: my gear does get salt water spray on it at times), I can also carry it around the San Diego Zoo or New Zealand without it being too cumbersome. Excellent!
from Waxahachie, Texas on 2/5/2007
I've been out of Serious Photography for 30 years. Once I touched the Nikon D200 pulling it from the box, I flashed back 35 years and felt like a kid again along with the passion I had back then. In the last 3 weeks I have shot over 3K pictures and have signed up for 16 classes in Digital Photography. I can't wait to learn ALL the funtions of this camera and get back into more Pro-Photography. If you are serious about Photography, I would highly recommend the Nikon D200. A Pro-Camera at an afforable price.
from Hanover, PA on 2/5/2007
When I switched from the 35mm Nikon N80 to the digital D70 I thought I'd died and went to heaven! The D70 gave me more confidence and the ability to tinker with other controls that I would have never done with my N80.
After that I decided to start my own photography business on the side and needed a ne digital back-up camera. Well, the more I read about the D200 the more I felt I would get that and use it for my primary camera. I WAS RIGHT!!! The Nikon D200 was even better then what I thought it would be. You definitely can tell the difference between the D70 and the D200 in clarity and features. For the price the D200 is a GREAT deal for all you get with it.