Nikon D200 great camera, which was released back in 2005, but can still please you with a wonderful picture. The camera has a nice clone: Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro, which differs from the Nikon D200 only in software and better matrix.
It is very funny that now on the official website of Nikon there are only two sections for modern SLR cameras - this is a professional section and amateur. So, on the same site, the camera is positioned as semi-professional. Just after dividing only into two classes, D200 was not transferred to the “professional” section. Why am I? And to the fact that Nikon D200 is really a professional camera with which it’s not a shame to shoot any type of picture. Can here see the evolution of all Nikon cameras.
Nikon D200, view of the camera Nikon D200
In general, I am delighted with the Nikon D200, and after a day of working with it, I don’t feel like shooting anything else. The camera is quite weighty, sits perfectly in my hand, behaves perfectly with heavy lenses.
Sample photo on Nikon D200 without processing
When working with a Nikon D200 camera, I highly recommend paying attention to such important parameters as:
- Great ergonomics. This is expressed in everything from a rubberized handle and discs to a shooting mode lock. Using well-thought-out ergonomics, the camera is very convenient to control; all the most necessary settings are always available and always at hand. By the way, even the bottom of the camera (where the tripod socket is) is also rubberized.
- Optional monochrome display. Just an indispensable thing for a professional. The display shows all the most important settings - ISO, aperture values, excerptsamendments exposure, the amount of free space on the card, white balance, picture quality, flash mode, battery charge, focus point and all that is possible. When the camera is turned off, the number of frames that can be taken to the remaining space on the memory card remains on the display. The monochrome display is larger than in younger models Nikon D90, D80, D70(s) D50, D7000.
An example of a photograph on a Nikon D200 without processing. Poplar fluff
- Dust and moisture protection. Of course, it is worth mentioning that the protection will be complete only if there are dust and moisture protective lenses, but in nature I have not seen such, because I will say that the camera perfectly tolerates light rain, dust, dirt and slight frosts.
- Using the card CF. Big card CF can reach enormous read/write speeds, which is very important for continuous shooting, and indeed for copying files to a computer. Although, my CF 32GB 400x during operation showed itself to be only 5MB/sec better than SD 32 GB class 10. As you understand, the Nikon D200 can handle even 32 GB normally.
- Huge continuous shooting buffer. Buffer can store 21 RAW files. Given that the maximum shooting speed 5 frames per second, the camera can click as long as 4 seconds in quick mode. 4 seconds is already a normal indicator. For example, my Nikon D90 starts to slow down after three seconds of filming at a speed of 4.5 frames per second. Also, keep in mind that when shooting in JPEG, the buffer becomes almost dimensionless.
- Whole 10.2 megapixels. Chasing megapixels is not worth it at all, but still 10.2 MP is enough for shooting in almost any genre. Of course, more is better, but I do not see any difference between the 10.2 megapixels of my Nikon D200, D80 and 12.3 megapixels of mine Nikon D90. Anyway, baby Nikon D40 with its 6.1 MP it can sometimes do with sharpness Nikon D90 with the same lens - look at the section Battle of Megapixels.
An example of a photograph on a Nikon D200 without processing. High ISO 1600
- The matrix on ISO 100 allows you to get just a very good picture, everything above ISO 400 is already a very bad result. About it a little lower. Having experience working with processing images from different cameras, I can say that at low ISOs, at some points, a CCD image is simpler and easier to “bring to mind”. The matrix of the Nikon D200, although in some respects similar to the sensors used in the models Nikon D80, D40x, D60, D3000but still different. Details here.
- The camera has focus motor, this will allow you to use any optics that can focus on Nikon, for example, the camera works great with non-motorized lenses Nikon 50mm F1.8D, Nikon 70-210 F4, etc. The motor buzzes when focusing, but nothing can be done, in order to save money on non-motorized lenses, you can be patient.
An example of a photograph on a Nikon D200 without processing. High ISO 1600
- The camera can measure exposure with any lens (and without a lens at all). This means that it will be possible to work in semi-automatic aperture priority mode with any manual lens. Even if you wear instead of a lens tin can, the camera will still measure exposure meter correctly. Also, for older lenses, a menu for setting the focal length and maximum aperture is provided. It is very, very convenient. Personally, I put on the programmable button the choice of focal length and aperture for manual optics. When I use my Helios-81N AI-s type, the Nikon D200 camera correctly displays 50mm focal length and maximum aperture F / 2.0, and if I twist the aperture ring on the lens, the camera also understands this and shows the following values F / 2.8, F / 4.0, etc. Important set manual lens parametersfor matrix metering to work, otherwise only spot and center-weighted will work.
- At the camera 11 focus points and just one cross-shaped sensor. Now 11 focus points put on the simplest Nikon D3000You won’t be surprised. But the camera has 4 focus modes and a special switch for them.
Sample photo on Nikon D200 without processing
- Nikon D200 has a minimum 1/8000 short shutter speed, sometimes a very useful thing, especially when you need to shoot at aperture of 1.4 (or higher) on a sunny day. And still, Nikon D200 can fulfill non-standard excerpts type 1 \ 750, 1 \ 3000, 1 \ 90s, etc., which cannot be selected in priority mode excerpts or in manual mode. Intermediate values shutter speed allow adjust exposure more precisely. For example, with such shutter speeds, younger cameras, like Nikon D80, D90.
- The camera can control flashes in command mode. That is, if you have a Nikon D200 and any flash like Nikon SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910 or third-party manufacturers, you can put it in a radius of 10 meters and shoot using Nikon's creative lighting system NIKON-CLS.
Sample photo on Nikon D200
- And of course, fast flash sync. You can shoot with an external flash that supports FP mode, with any shutter speedup to 1/8000. Very important and necessary parameter.
- A bunch of all sorts of connectors that you rarely use, it's just too lazy to write about them, who cares, download the instructions and read for yourself.
Example photo on Nikon D200
- Limit ISO 100-1600 (100-3200). At the moment, this is not the best indicator, but I would say very low.
- The camera has 1.005-pixel RGB matrix metering sensor exposureinherited from the flagship camera D2X. Measurement works very accurately.
Example photo on Nikon D200. Portert
- Those who have read up to this seventeenth paragraph have probably already grown tired. There are many more important points that should be written about, but this is already necessary for a very narrow circle of people, therefore we will limit ourselves to this list of important aspects of the camera.
Nikon D200 and Nikon D40 Camera Size Comparison
Disadvantages. Since I took the camera to a professional type, you can demand a lot from it. because I consider serious shortcomings:
- The delay when you turn on the menu or view pictures. Delay does not always occur, depending on whether you watched or took a picture on the camera. Usually, after turning on the camera and pressing the menu button or viewing the image, the camera “thinks” for 3-5 seconds, which is a disastrously long period of time. The card activity indicator is on. Actually the “communication" of the camera with the card takes this time. On my two cards, 2GB and 32GB 400x, the delay time is the same. This is not a very important point, but sometimes waiting for 3-5 seconds is still not a hunt. But the camera turns on instantly.
Example photo on Nikon D200. The light meter easily copes with non-standard tasks
- The battery runs out very quickly. Really I have enough battery for 400 shots. You can still take a small photo shoot on one charge. But, for example, at a wedding without 2-3 batteries just can not do (checked more than once). This disease is treated by buying a special booster. The booster adds convenience when shooting, but it takes extra space in the case and adds extra weight.
Example photo on Nikon D200
- The viewfinder does not give 100% frame coverage, but only the usual 95%. It's really annoying when after the picture you find an extra piece in the photo that fits in these 5%, which were not visible behind the scenes.
Example photo on Nikon D200.
- 2.5 inch display. Yes after Nikon D90, D300 look at 230.000 points after 900.000 points at D90 not that anymore. Of course, offending the old D200 is bad, but the display is not the same as before. Many say that the D200 gives a bad picture, from personal experience I will say that professionals will not distinguish a picture from Nikon D200 and Nikon D7000 with the same lens and the same settings at low ISO when printing and / or on a computer monitor (I personally conducted an experiment that confirmed this). But almost everyone will say that the picture looks much worse on the Nikon D200 display than anywhere else. Why is not known.
Example photo on Nikon D200. Landscape
- The standard lack of gum in all Nikon cameras is that they swell and fall off. Let me explain - the rubber, which is so nice to the touch, swells over time and comes off.
Example photo on Nikon D200.
- Very poor results at high ISO. Given the age of the camera, you can come to terms with this.
Example photo on Nikon D200. Portrait. Color rendition.
- It’s bad that when switching the compression level, the RAW buffer still shows 21 frames. For example: compressed RAW weighs about 10 MB, and not compressed about 16 MB, it would not be bad if the camera placed more frames in the buffer with the compressed format.
Example photo on Nikon D200.
- No focus adjustment. Honestly, when I bought a Nikon D200, I was just saddened by this, since for some of my lenses adjustment would not hurt.
Example photo on Nikon D200.
- Nikon D200 is one of the few cameras that does not have a menu for post-processing photos. In general, no processing of the filmed material with the camera is provided. I was very surprised when I discovered this. You can't even convert from RAW to JPEG.
An example of a photograph on a Nikon D200 without processing. Poplar fluff
A couple more moments:
Nikon D200 bribes with its ability to enlarge the image is actually 1 to 1 with one button. This is real, very much accelerates the choice of a sharp picture. Moreover, the camera enlarges the picture at the focus point. The camera is not such a familiar (for all users of the line below) the method of zooming the picture. To enlarge the picture you need to press as many as two buttons and the main control dial. But the multi selector has 8 directions. Impressions are positive.
Sample photo on Nikon D200 without processing
Choose and don’t know what to take?
It is unlikely that someone will say with certainty whether the camera is suitable for you or not. At the moment Nikon D200 is outdatedher descendant Nikon D300 Has matrix cleaning, Live View and less noise at high ISO. Nikon D300s in addition, it also shoots video and clicks the shutter much faster, and even on 2 cards. Well and Nikon D7000 in general can still better. Well, if it’s at all hot to take a camera of a similar level, you can look at Nikon D80, which has similar image quality with the Nikon D200 and the only significant difference is not the ability to work with manual optics. More photos in gallery of autumn photos.
Prices for modern Nikon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.
Hack and predictor Aviator:
Nikon D200 - professional digital SLR camera, which is now not available and which can be taken at a ridiculous price. Able to do almost everything you need. Not suitable for beginners in photography - there is not a single automatic shooting mode, for everything you need to think for yourself. It is also hardly suitable for the pros, since it quickly eats up the battery and has strong noises at high ISO. But in fact, the only drawback of the camera is that now there are much more advanced Nikon D300(s) D7000that make things even better. So who will suit Nikon D200 - I can’t say for sure, but in skillful hands you can squeeze a lot from her.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
and I bought D200 - a thing .. after 3000
Thanks for your review! It was on him that I was guided when choosing a camera. I changed my d3000 to d200. The device is super! Awesome functionality, controls are placed on the body (inappropriate to go to the menu constantly). True, the battery eats incredibly, but this is treated by the firmware (changed to 2.01 - it seems to be better) or add. battery / booster.
Firmware is not treated, or is treated very poorly.
tell me how to configure so that the frame numbers go from 1 and so on
User Setting D6 - Reset On
Hello Arkady. Thanks for your review, very helpful. On August 10th I already wrote that I was going to take Nikon D200. Somewhere a month ago I bought it all the same. The camera is good, I really liked it. However, there was a small problem when using the VM-6 battery pack, the shutter began to jam. A message appears on the monitor - Err- (abnormal camera operation), I took out one battery, left only one - everything worked fine. This appeared when the battery still had 18% of the working resource, i.e. not yet fully discharged. I asked a question on the forum, they said that the contacts should be cleaned, cleaned, but still everything is repeated. I thought that when one battery is discharged (in the battery pack) it should automatically switch to the second battery, but it turns out not. If you can tell me that this device is junk or is there a problem in the battery pack? It works fine without a block. Sincerely, Alexander
This is such a function of the D200 and D1 series cameras, if the battery is poorly charged, the mirror will jam. This often happened to me. It does not jam, but simply there is no energy to return it back.
Arkady, I had two such devices, took on Avito. There was no such problem. I took the second one (it was a present for the lens). It happens to him when turned on after a long break with any battery. Is this a jamb already?
Thanks Arkady.
Hello Arkady. I liked your site. Friendly audience. Hope they help me. I am addressing you as a more competent person. I have a problem with choosing a camera. Climbing in the net on various resources, I got even more confused, my head was swollen. Comrade, for work, offers his kindergarten and school. As if conveys to me. He himself leaves forever. He once worked in my studio (back in the early 90s). I left the photo and he continued. I, of course, stayed in the "Jurassic". But I haven't forgotten the photograph at all. I cannot finally decide on the choice of the camera. The specifics of shooting you know for schools and kindergartens - vignettes, calendars, groups, matinees, etc. I'm not chasing pixels, within the limits of the workers for these filming. Noises are exciting, but not critical, I think I will not shoot at high ISO. Only with tenacious AutoFocus (eyesight got hooked). Not quite inhibited. The weight of the camera is not a question, it is not small itself. It would be simpler in post - processing, Preferably immediately in JPEG, with a slight correction in FS. Well, if in RAW, then with an accessible program. Color rendition and detail are not the last issue. That is why I was inclined to Olympus - with its remarkable colors or Pentax. But here, on your site, Fujifilm was also highlighted. But I do not discard Canon and Nikon. The LCD is not quite tiny, with the LiveView mode (not a decisive factor - on the "film" somehow they did without it). We need an initial version, for a year or two. I even looked closely at Canon 10d and 20d. I will take from Amazon, used. Such that it would not be a pity to leave in the future. Average options do not suit. Better then dig up and buy something specific. The choice for growth fell on the PENTAX K-5 or NIKON D700. In the meantime, something most affordable. Price matters. I would be grateful for your help. This is important to me now. Regards, Alexey.
Thank you for correctly describing your need. I recommend the Fujifilm S5Pro if you find it at the right price. Of nikonov it is possible to take B. at. D90, d300. From Canon 50d, 60d.
Thanks for the answer. I watched the Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro on the AMAZON $ 725 (BODY) .Canon EOS 50D for $ 600 (BODY) .Nikon D300 $ 600 (BODY) Nikon D90 $ 500 (BODY). And it's all used. However, a little expensive + optics. A little more and the Pentax K-5 for $ 750 you can buy almost new. There is a Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro at around $ 350 (BODY). What can you say for him. And there are still options for me. Let it be cut back by something. Thanks again. Alexei.
The Fujifilm FinePix S3 has the same matte as the Fujifilm FinePix S5 but is a bit older. You can take the minimum - Nikon D80, a full set of all functions and 10MP on board, but there is no Live View.
Canon EOS-10D for $ 150 (BODY) can be taken or 20D (BODY) for $ 200. Can they be considered as an option? Regards, Alexey.
You can consider any camera as an option.
Yes, I got an answer for the D80. I will consider it. Thanks.
Thanks for the review, very interesting!
A couple of months ago, after the theft of the D90, I urgently had to take the D200, but I did not regret a bit about the transition! Before that was the D80. But from the 200th I am delighted. Yes, there are drawbacks, but this is due to his age, but in general, I do not shoot on large ISOs, but I try to stretch everything with optics and shutter speeds! All in all VERY good device !!!
After Nikon D50 (there were three with a total mileage of 210 thousand), having tried the D80, D90 (I did not consider the X000 as cameras for work at all), I received satisfaction both in terms of ergonomics and quality only from Nikon D200. The only thing I liked about the D300 was lens alignment, but I didn't have such problems with the Nikon D200. I don’t think about buying D600-800 yet. the price of a photo does not depend on the cost of the camera, for myself I do not print more than 20x30 photos. Nikon D200 with CCD sensor, reliable camera.
Hello! Tell me please ... I want to buy myself a more capacious CF memory card for my Nikon D200 and I wondered if it is worth overpaying for the speed (how much it will be noticeable) if we compare the x400 and x200
what is the difference between them (I mean specifically on this camera) it makes sense to take for example 16GB x400 if at this price you can take 32GB x200
If they have a few milliseconds difference ...
Thank you!
Yours!
The difference will be felt. Also, d200 initiates 32GB memory cards for a very long time, I had two - 150x 32GB and 400x 32GB, both were detected for a long time, but it works fine with them.
In general, I understand that 16GB x400 will do ...
Nikon D3000 camera lens 18-55mm f 3.5-5.6 photographed 3700 - sold for 3000 UAH, still in warranty.
not expensive for him?
how much is new in real life?
Hello, please help ...
Nikon D3000 camera lens 18-55mm f 3.5-5.6 photographed 3700 - sold for 3000 UAH, still in warranty.
not expensive for him?
how much in real life does a new one cost?
I just need a good photo, just to be a family camera! Or it’s better to take a nikon d200 body price of 2750, mileage 55tys, in good condition, gum, box kit, a little to the left, + 1 gig memory card.
I am hope for your help…))))
For amateur shooting, the D3000 is much better. I try not to answer questions about prices; I'm not interested.
thank you!
Good day, please tell me the following: are the photos really less sharp than in the 80th due to a thicker filter. I want to buy one of these cameras. For all the parameters that interest me, I’m more comfortable with the d200. But I read about this one on a couple of forums anti-moire filter?
This question interests me too. Really no one will explain?
have a couple of questions, please dial?
0982427588
have a couple of questions, please dial? 0982427588.
Arkady, there is the opportunity to buy Nikon D200, excellent condition, mileage of about 90.000, give for 8.000 rubles / 2.000 UAH. Is it worth taking?
The battery lasts about 700 frames in my work. When processed in native Capture NX and ISO 800 it turns out to be working at normal exposure (printed in a 30x40 album), the colors are very pleasing in comparison with CMOS, there are no plasticine faces. The camera tries to preserve light, hence the noise in the shadows - ExposeRight + Uncompressed NEF + Capture NX and you will be happy. Of course, you need good optics, not modern soap lenses. Sorry Arkady, the potential of the camera is revealed here very superficially, the camera is capable of more in “skillful hands”, that is, professional. Now it is bought mainly by teapots who want an update from the “first DSLR” because it’s cheap and start whining about the noises, that the camera is worse than the D90, there is no “shydevr” button (green).
I repeat, the potential of the camera has not been revealed by you “it makes more noise than any modern camera…. Above iso400 the result is very bad…” but this does not prevent me from getting a very good result on iso800. You print two 30x40 portraits with D200 and modern CMOS, I think you will be a little surprised.
However, the d200 is morally obsolete. I still have d80 in my work, you can not tell me the delights of ssd, and if something is not disclosed in the review, so add in the comments.
Good evening! Help be-weasel at the camera's vibor! Mayu new Nikon D7000 for family home photography, evening, saint. I want to buy one more excellent device for trips to nature, be it the weather! Vagayusya shodo vibor - used D200 (similar to color transfer), used D300, why is the new D90? Ahead of you for a message!
The main disadvantage is the insufficiently blackened mirror shaft….
Plant thanks to Arkady for his "testing program" - all sides creep out at once ... This is not a marketing site, but a summary of the experience of a professional and it is better to know right away what you can and avoid ...
Thank you also for the useful links and additions.