I have had my D200 for a little more than a week and all I can say is that it is the best camera I have ever used, and that includes the D2x which I found to be way too heavy for longterm use.

The D200 takes amazingly clear pictures and is great at shooting action. I use it mainly to shoot sports, but landscapes and portraits are where this camera really shines! The saturation and color accuracy are amazing. This camera is quick focusing and tracks your subject well.

The only downside to this camera is that it is 10.2MP. In that I mean that if you are going to do any serious shooting you really need a minimum 4GB microdrive with a fast write speed. Other than that, if you really want to see what this camera can do make sure you have nice lenses to use with it. Don't waste your time trying to use cheap lenses because they will not do this camera justice! Go with the good stuff...

Best camera I've ever owned! Images are clear, huge, and saturated. Right now I have a 50mm nikkor 1.4f lens on it and it takes beautifully crisp portraits. Camera is a MUST HAVE!!!

I just had the opportunity to use 2 nikon D200 cameras on a trip to Antarctica. All I can say is "wow"! I have been hesitant to make the move to digital due to the relatively low resolutions of the early amateur digital SLRs. The specs for the D200 caught my eye. Of particular interest were the 10.2 MP resolution, the magnesium body and the enhanced environmental sealing. In fairly adverse conditions the cameras performed flawlessly. Particularly notable were their ability to work in cold conditions, something I was concerned about at the beginning of the trip. While other people's cameras were having battery issues in the cold, the D200 kept shoothing. The camera handles very well and is easy to shoot with. There is a bit of a learning curve to understand all the custom settings and menus. The good news is that most of the controls build off of familiar Nikon concepts so they are not hard to pick up. The output of the camera is amazing and while I have not had the chance to review my shots on anything but a laptop, the early returns are very positive. The new autofocus system is quite good, though one of my few complaints is that it sometimes seemed balky with certain subjects. I am willing to write this off as perhaps my not have a full understanding of the various focusing modes, but time will tell. The monitor on the camera is really good and viewable in bright light. Being able to shoot at 5 fps was nice when trying to shoot diving humpback whales. In this case the DX size sensor comes in handy, extending effective focal length by 1.5 the 35mm equivalent. With wide angle the DX is a little more frustating and I see a new lens in my future. I am very happy with the D200. I think Nikon is feeling some heat from Canon and had to come up with an offering that upped the ante on the price performance curve. The D200 looks like they got a lot of it right.

No matter how you slice it, this is a great camera.

If you're considering this camera you likely to be in one of two camps: A Nikon person trying to determine whether or not to buy the N50, N70 or the D200; or you already know you want something more on the pro end of the pro-amateur spectrum and are trying to choose between a Nikon and a Canon. If you're in the latter camp then you can't go wrong with either the D200 or any of Canon's offerings. They both make excellent cameras. If you're already a Nikon person, get the Nikon; if you're already a Canon person, get the Canon.

That said, I'm a Nikon person, and after 5 years of having fun with my film-based N80 I wanted to make the leap into real digital photography. I say real, because I've had a Canon Sureshot for 4 years and it's great for snapshots, but when it comes to landscapes or dealing with any kind of lighting issues, it just doesn't measure up. Since I'm a Nikon person (all my lenses work with the new digital SLRs) I looked at the N50, N70 and D200. There are plenty of sites out there that compare these three cameras (against each other and the competition) to death, so I won't bother with all the details.

We buy cameras to take a variety of different pictures and my choice was driven by my needs, so my review is going to be colored by the kinds of pictures I tend to take. My favorite pastime is landscape photography. For this, any of the three cameras will take great pictures. The 6 mega pixels on the N50 and N70 are more than enough to take great pictures - I've got a 20x30 poster of Yosemite's Half Dome taken with a friend's N70 that is as crisp as anything I've seen. Having 10mps gives me more room to play with when it comes time for cropping, though, and that's always nice, but hardly a reason to shell out an extra grand.

My next favorite photography subject is my yellow lab, Happy. If he's standing or sitting still, then all three of these cameras take excellent portrait shots. But when he's moving, such as launching himself off the end of a pier to fetch a toy in the lake, the D200 really shines. Its 5fps burst mode takes perfect pictures. It focuses each shot and with its rich 25 picture buffer built into the camera, I've yet to fill it up. What this means is that it doesn't matter what speed your memory card is. The camera takes its pictures and puts them into its buffer. Then a separate set of processors moves the picture from the buffer to your memory card. I would have to hold the button down for over 8 seconds before the burst mode would slow down (it would simply slow down to the speed of your memory card here - it wouldn't stop taking pictures). This clarity of the pictures in burst mode is what made me choose the D200, and with the 18-70mm DX kit lens you'll get some brilliant photos.

While all three cameras let you take great picture, the D200 makes it very easy to change the most often used settings. Picture quality (e.g. resolution and depth), White Balance and ISO can be changed by holding down a single button with your left hand and rotating the command dials with your right. This means you don't have to take your eyes off of what you're looking at through the viewfinder in order to change these settings, and I find myself changing at least one of these on almost every picture I take. To be sure, you can change them on the N50 and N70 as well, but just not as quickly or easily.

Other things I liked about the D200 are:
o Build. It's made of metal and has a very nice heft to it. The D50 and D70, much like my N80, are made of a very good plastic, and I've never had any problems with the N80, but the D200 just feels good
o LCD. The 2.5 inch LCD makes it easy to determine whether or not you're happy with a picture in the field.
o Color. The auto white balance for the D200 is awesome and the colors are brilliant.
o 4 settings banks. You can preprogram four settings (ISO, WB, Picture Quality, etc) so you can get to it quickly.

One last point - the D200 is very difficult to get a hold of these days, but it's slightly easier to get in kit form (which comes with a lens). The 18-55mm lens is nice, but I prefer the 18-70mm (remember, with digitals you have to multiply the focal length by 1.5 to compare it with their film counterparts, so the 18-70 for digital is more like a 28-105 for film). The 18-70mm kit will run you about $300 more than the body itself, and it's worth it.

If you don't already have a big zoom lens then the new 18-200mm Nikon VR lens is awesome (equivalent to 28-300 for film). It takes stunning pictures and has all the zoom you're likely to need. It runs between $700 and $800 and is even harder to get than the D200 (which is why I don't have one yet :-).

In summary, you can't go wrong with any of these Nikons. The D200, however, is definitely the king of the hill. Happy picture takine!

this is my 3rd dslr (fuji s2, Nikon d70s) and it is far away the best and will most likely be my camera of choice for years to come. The fuji took great photos but battery set-up was terrible; it's gone now. I still have the d70s, as a back-up, but it just doesn't feel like a real camera and I'm always knocking the program knob from manual to beach scene or something like that.

The D200 feels and sounds great, very solid; like my old F5. All the controls are well thought-out and well placed. You can change ISO, color balance, mode, exposure comp. all without taking your eye from the viewfinder; a big plus. Battery life could be better but it's not a big deal; I just carry an extra battery.

The excitement over this camera is justified!
We've all heard about the excellent build quality and it is true.
This is in many ways the best camera I have ever owned. The interface is intuitive and really is beyond compare in my experience. Every adjustment is right there at your finger tips making it fast and easy to change settings as different lighting and situations present themselves. This camera fits my hands like a glove!
So far the matrix metering is impressive. The amount of detail captured in the shadow area is exceptional!
Contrary to rumors I have read the D200 does offer capture in black and white mode.
Nikon has done a lot right here!
One other thing the software is another excellent feature. You can import existing pictures, regardless of brand camera used to capture. The upload is quick and offers the ability to tag, export, mail, adjust, resize and more. Very nice and comprehensive user interface there as well.
Packaging and accessories are first class!
One side note, the battery does not last anywhere near the 1800 captures described in the descriptions I have read. One battery does not get me through a day of shooting, particulary when using a VR lens. Plan on getting a couple of hundred shots in between charging possibly more if using manuall focus and shutting off frequently.
Overall I am very happy with the purchase of this camera. It's the best value on the market in my opinion.
*Continued assessment after even more extensive use.
Ok...I am even more impressed than I was when I wrote the above portion of this review.
The amount of well thought out features on this camera expand the photographers capability greatly.
Start with having four custom menu's that can be set and ready to use just a click away. For instance, one set-up for sports, one for flash portraiture, one for night capture and so on.
This camera produces the best life-like as witnessed at the time of capture color I have expereienced since discovering photography almost 30 years ago.
I mean superb color! Pariculary in the greens and blues. Every color really!
The images produced have the least amount of digital noise I have seen. This means better pictures, enlargements and best of all a lot less time spent in the processing. I even jack the ISO(International Standards Organization) up to 800 or a 1000 with excellent results! There is some noise at 1600. About the same as some of the other cameras I've used when set at ISO 200.
The EV(Exposure Variation) adjustments are easy to access and you can set the increment value to 1/3, 1/2 or 1 full stop depending on personal preference.
Oh! You can do picture Overlays in the camera! Yes right in the camera as long as they are captured in RAW and on the same memory card.
Add to that multiple exposure capability as well.
This camera puts a lot of capability in your hands!
**Continuing on after EVEN MORE extensive use.
Ok....this camera continues to impress me as I am sure it will any of you who are not used to the performance of a pro quality Digital SLR.
The build quality is holding up perfectly despite daily usage and variety of weather and situations. I really appreciated the sealed body when it began raining as I was photographing near Golden Gate in San Francisco this last weekend. Nice not to have to panic when your 200 yards away from the car and you neglected to even wear a coat let alone bring rain gear for the camera.
I love how this camera works with the SB80 flash unit! I even appreciate the performance of the on board flash, in particular the fast recycle time.
Boom, boom, boom this thing is ready to go with about a second delay when used in single shot mode.
I am getting exceptional detail when capturing shots with a lot of bright backlight. It's capturing more of what I actually see than any other camera I have owned or used.
I suffer from gear addiction just as many other people do. The D200 certainly has curtailed that problem/pastime because I find it difficult to find a camera under 16 megapixels I consider to be an upgrade. I include the D2X in that opinion because the interface on the D200 is so much better and the cost so reasonable in comparison. Also makes me wonder if there won't be a updated successor to that model somewhere soon up ahead.
Anyways......I would love to add a back to reality comment about what the D200 is lacking or can't do or that Nikon forgot, but I haven't found one yet.
If I could change one thing it would be to either extend the cord that you use for viewing images on a television screen or provide a remote control. I find initial image viewing and even in camera overlays
so convienant when viewed on a large TV screen. The short cord provided is fine when using the slideshow feature but when viewing one image for longer than 5 seconds or zooming in to view detail it sure would be nice to do so from more than a couple of feet away.
Other than that believe every positive you have heard.
I haven't experienced any "banding" problems but have read of some who say they have.
Also for those considering the other manufacturer's 5D let me say that I like Nikon's choice of 10 plus mega-pixels and the way it extends the
telephoto length of my zoom lenses. Even on the 12-24mm DX Nikkor. More on why that is included in my review of that lense. This camera hooked to the 80-400mm VR nikkor is my favorite combination right now.
I continue to be pleased with the included Picture Capture software. Very straightforward and my choice for initial download of jpeg or NEF images.
This is one heck of a digital tool!
Good luck!

I finally got the D200 after being on a waiting list for more than three months. It was worth the wait! I loved my D70, but with 10 megapixels and basically the guts of a much more expensive D2x, the D200 is a dream.

There are a gazillion possible settings, but right out of the box, you can start shooting with the defaults and get great images. The default exposures, color saturation, and contrast are noticeably improved over the D70, although I still have (and expect) to edit the photos in Photoshop. That's no problem - I would rather do it with the powerful Photoshop software than let the camera's firmware do it.

This camera has a really solid feel about it. It's a bit heavier than the D70, but with all the added features, that's acceptable.

With a price tag of $1700, the D200 is a bargain for serious amateurs and professionals.

I have been doing the digital side of photography for some time now. Before that, and still now, I used film. My first digital SLR was the Nikon D70, and I really loved it. It had a lot of options and good resolution for a fair price. Later I bought a Fuji S3 Pro 12.4mp digital SLR. It produces some of the most wonderful images with extreme dynamic range. My only problem with it, is that it is a bit slow in it's burst rate.

It finally came to the point where I needed two fully professional camera bodies. After waiting for the D200 to come out, I finally got down to Penn Camera to see what it felt like in my hand. Unfortunately, nobody had them in stock (At least a non-gray market one) for at least another six to eight weeks. I ordered mine off the internet (Which I'm not a huge fan of, but sometimes it's required.) for a small premium and had it the next day.

What a WONDERFUL camera! This was supposed to be a backup camera, and is now my primary. The way it feels in my hands is awesome. It has all the options I need and it produces wonderful looking images. The white balance options let me cut down post production in a huge way. Combined with my ExpoDisc, it produces perfect WB. Even the auto WB is something else. The metering in this camera is also a huge upgrade from the D70.

I did also purchase the MB-D200 battery pack and vertical shutter release. Over the S3 Pro, I'm happy with this because this actually has command dials on it. One great thing about the MB-D200 is the fact that you can run on either one EL-EN3e batteries, two EL-EN3e batteries or six AA rechargable batteries.

Overall, this camera is a massive step up for Nikon. It produces beautiful images and has all the options a pro could need. It's at a reasonable weight and is easy to handle. This is by far the best producing and best feeling camera I have ever owned.

Bravo, Nikon!

-Brian

This is a Semi-Pro/Professional grade digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera that's capable of taking *exceptional* images by skilled hobbyists and working photographers. But for others who may be foolish enough to think of this as a juiced-up "point and shoot" camera, it is not, not by any stretch of the imagination, and for them this D200 may be a disappointment. It's complexity and capability will require, at the very least, intermediate camera skills to fully benefit from it's proven capacity to deliver the very highest quality images. Contrary to what some people new to digital imaging may believe or wish to think, this camera can be Very Unforgiving of improper shooting technique (vibration, focus), less than optimal exposure (particularly underexposure which seems to cause more image noise than with many other Nikon/Canon cameras) and inferior lens quality, all of which the Sony 10.2mp CCD sensor will reveal as if in a loved one's autopsy. This D200 camera comes with a rather steep learning curve, but it is certainly a camera that you can expect to slowly grow into as opposed to out of. And once you gain further knowledge through use and experience you'll become less intimidated by all the various in camera settings (some of which can interreact with one another, which you must fully understand), so you'll have to know exactly what you are doing beforehand and exactly what results you desire and expect from the camera. It is best that you read the manual from front to back several times before you even pick up the D200, and you'll still have questions that the manual will have most - but not all -of the answers to once you learn where to look. It will take time. Keep the manual in your camera bag and refer to it often.

Be aware that the D200 camera has been shown to have some serious "issues" and it is not known to what degree or extent of the original or ongoing production run is effected. There's been much hyperbole and speculation - and it is only that - as to the exact percentages of malfunctioning units, and these "out of the blue" figures can be found in the myraid of online camera review sites, online Nikon owner's forums, newgroups et al. There has also been a bunch of finger pointing, mostly at Nikon and their Quality Control (or lack thereof) - which all believe to be well deserved - but also at the individual D200 users and their skill levels to the point of questioning some of their motives (if not their ancestry) for posting anything remotely negative against Nikon and their new D200 baby to begin with. It has become an online verbal bloodbath better suited to pulp fiction.

Here are some, but not all, of the "issues" that are being reported with this new Nikon D200 camera. Brew a pot of coffee, throw some salt over your shoulder (be careful of the cat), and be willing to do your own extensive research:

1) "Banding" or "striping" - a series of tight vertical lines extending both above and below bright highlights in an image, sometimes extending the full length of the image into darker and/or underexposed areas though sometimes confined to a limited area such as around lights, morning and evening contrasty sky silhouettes, or in similar situations where the Dynamic Range of the image sensor may be pushed or exceeded. But it has appeared in evenly/well lit office images, particularly under flourescent/mixed lighting. And some people have sworn that their cameras are fine only to discover (a hundred or thousand images later) that under specific and repeatable conditions that they, indeed, do have an issue with "banding". The degree of the problem, and whether or not it is destructive, can be dependant on the lighting/EV ratios and of the final reproduced image size. Also, some people keep quoting the Nikon official FAQ which states that these banding artifacts were only an issue with the early production models (USA serial numbers around 3003000), yet there are still reports coming out of even the latest models (USA serial numbers at/above 3032000 as of March '06) with the problem. So do yourself a favor and do an online search under "D200 banding" so as to better educate yourself and read *everything* you possibly can on the subject. Expect to spend hours of online reading over the course of several days. DO THIS before spending a penny of your $1,700.

NOTE: There are some who say that the "banding" that occurs in D200 images are only the result of "improper" exposure, but correct exposure is an interpretive thing. To the photograper who is a *craftsman*, what is "proper" exposure may, to him or her, be so well defined as if it came in a box and neatly wrapped and ribboned, limited and with absolute bounderies. Exceed those limits and what you produce will be "garbage", period. On the other hand, there are those photographers who consider themselve *artists*, they prefer not to be confined, they want to extend the bounderies, they chaffe at being in a box, they tend to press the limits of their equipment and their skills, sometimes with remarkable results. Go to any gallery displaying the works of both the photographer as a skilled and dedicated craftsman whose images are so refined and spot-on that you could walk right into them, or the photographer who envisions him or herself as an artist who pushes [image contrast] for a desired effect in the context of what he/she is trying to convey - be it an emotion or a statement or blunt force trauma - and you'll walk away understanding that there's No Such Thing as "proper" exposure. It's always allusive to those on the other side of the fence, and always found on your side. It's ephemeral, and it should be allowed to escape definition and land in the eye of the beholder where it belongs. I've seen works and images from both camps, and they all are capable of stealing your breath away.

Besides, be it "proper" exposure or not (and by whosoever's definition), it shouldn't arrive wearing a Nikon pin striped suit.

2) There have been reports of the camera's shutter unexpectedly closing while the owner was in the process of cleaning the image sensor when using the Mirror Lock Up (MLU) function in the menu designated for sensor cleaning (and I'm not speaking of using the mirror lock up along with a time exposure). This has, for some, led to the destruction of the shutter when it suddenly and unexpectedly closed on a cleaning tool. There was absolutely no rhyme nor reason to the camera's behavior, it's just happened with some D200 bodies and with a fully charged battery or AC power supply, either of which is *required* before attempting the sensor cleaning proceedure. These reported incidents with a new camera are downright... frightening.

3) Batteries that fail prematurely, batteries that don't properly report the actual charge ratio to the camera, cameras that lock-up and go into "Err" (error) mode due to miscommunication (?) with the battery causing the camera owner to have to perform a "hard reset", etc.. It should be noted here that on a properly functioning camera that the batteries get much better and with much improved capacity after approx. five or so complete charge/depletion cycles. And don't expect to get as much out of a battery charge as you would with, say, a D70s - this D200 is a power hog. And it rightfully should be considering all its features and large (and absolutely beautiful, the best of any DSLR) LCD display. Expect to factor into your purchase one or two additional $45 batteries, you'll need them right from the start. Check them for proper functioning ASAP - no warranty.

4) This is really strange - there have been reports of images "disappearing" from the Compact Flash (CF) card - or more properly an image was never recorded to begin with. The "image" appears blank... black. This may happen anywhere within a series of shots taken on a Nikon approved CF card. Say, for instance (and just as an example), you shoot 30 images. You go back later to review them on the LCD screen. Images 1 thru 17 are there, but 18 and 19 and 20 are missing, just black as if the lens cap was on *yet it wasn't*. Also image 28 is missing/black. You find that the EXIF data was recorded, the camera showed no outward sign that there was a problem, no errant beeps or error mesages, yet the images that you thought that you were recording simply don't exist. Also frightening, especially if you're recording events that can't be repeated such as a wedding.

5) Other issues include reflex mirrors locking up and not coming back down, lens contacts and/or camera lens mount contacts not working correctly as they should with some lenses, camera body DOF preview aperature mechanical linkage binding or malfunctioning, lens backfocus problems (though this is most often user error), other unexpected and unexplained "Err" (error) messages with inability to resolve even with a "hard" reset, excessive image noise at lowest ISO settings and/or excessive image noise at ISO 400-800 when compared to other cameras costing more, dead pixels and hot pixels and these sometimes occuring in clusters, other faulty camera control buttons/switches, a report of camera internals overheating (?!), LCD screen complete failures, etc.. A potential buyer should read up on all those internet complaints (always taken with a grain of salt), and make their purchase decision only after. However, having said that, should you be so unfortunate as to obtain a D200 camera that doesn't work properly, as I did, remember that you've spent $1,700 plus another $1,600 for a lens for it plus...

That's $3,300 not including state tax or accessories, for those of you counting (sigh). Smile, say "cheese" or "OH MY GOD!", whichever comes to mind first.

6) This final concern is not limited to the D200 but is for most all DSLR's. Some of you may not understand that you will probably need to get some software, such as Adobe Photoshop CS2, to remove unwanted image artifacts such those caused by dust specks on your sensor, or CA/purple fringing brought on by many lenses but especially zooms, or to straighten bowed or pincussioned lines, to name but a few. Many of these photo software packages will require a strong computer with lots of memory and the latest OS. If you're currently happy with your old AMD 450 processor and W98SE and you're doing mostly word processing or going online, be advised that a hidden expense with the purchase of a D200 (or any high end DSLR) just might be the additional outlay of many hundreds of dollars for a new and fast computer with loads of memory and maybe even a new (and larger) monitor. Add to that another $300-$500 for photo processing software since these high-end DSLR's are now capable of recording - and adding on their own - faults and imperfections that would escape a lessor camera. Also, camera manufacturers have become more willing to "offload" a lot of their camera's and lens' problems and shortcomings onto your computer for you to fix after-the-fact. Get used to it, it's the future and the future is here - you are now *expected* to be both the photographer AND the experienced photo lab technician. Consider this a blessing in disguise, as nobody knows what you're looking for in an image better than you. But after you get over the long learning curve of something like PS/CS2, you'll have *much* better images to show for your time and efforts. However, you'll also probably be broke.

Speaking of being broke:

10.2mp cameras are capable of producing very large RAW images, you'll need two or more 2gb Extreme III CompactFlash cards currently $100 a pop just to start. And a MC-30 shutter release, $75. And you'll need an external Nikon flash, the SB-600 is fine at $180 and some prefer it over the $370 SB-800. 10.2mp cameras are also capable of revealing even the slightest camera shake, so your old $50 tripod won't suffice. Nor will that new $100 tripod that you had your eye on. In all probability that $200 tripod won't do the trick, either. Think in terms of Gitzo (to name but one of the best) and $300+ just for the sexxy legs, add the same amount (or much more) for a Swiss-made ball head and maybe you'll also be thinking, "Hey, with all this... I could've had a swimming pool"! You're so close to being right, and I sure hope that you don't have kids. Try killing the thought by moving to Buffalo NY. Think ice fishing, i.e., "It's not just a sport, it's something you eat". Or just go ahead and get the best tripod setup that you can afford right now, because this camera will literally *demand* that you trade up eventually anyway, and (hypnotic/weird music playing in the background) So You Will, And So You Will. So whip out the ol' VISA, the poor shop-a-holic worn thing, and just be done with it. After all, This Is America! Christmas in July! Expensive, you say? Hey - you just waited a month in line to pay $1,700 for the camera body and you'll probably wait another month in line to spend $700 to $1,800 for your first Nikkor lens for it (notice I said "first"), so what did you expect? Welcome to Big League Photography, where the purchase of a High End camera body is only the beginning, and where many divorces have been known to come off much cheaper. Buy the camera and a lens or two, the tripod and ball head, batteries, CF cards, larger camera bag, new computer, software, then be sure to buy some bling bling for the better half. Retain a lawyer with whatever pocket change you have left 'cause the bling bling may not blind blind the wife to the fact that you're a lousy photographer anyway. She's gone a-fishin' for something better in Buffalo.

Futhermore...

Once upon a time camera manufacturers, including Nikon, would send out a few of their latest camera model releases to professional photographers with which they had an established and ongoing relationship with so as to be "beta" tested, any faults or malfunctions were reported back and corrective actions were taken before any mass production was to occur. But Nikon stopped doing this some time ago, and we are left scratching our collective heads and asking, "Why"? Is it now considered to be ethical corporate behavior to have the beta testing done by the masses, and on our time... and our dime?

I own a D200 that has the problem with "banding", and it worries me that some purchasers have had to send their brand spanking new camera in for servicing not once, not twice, but three times to have the issue dealt with correctly, and even then there are limited reports of the camera coming back with the banding gone (or almost gone) but now with odd color shifts or decreased dynamic range. This is extremely worrisome and speaks to the issue of Quality Control, both at the manufacturing facility where it all begins and at the service centers where it should end, and end on a high[er] note the very first trip through. For some owners to have to play a game of musical chairs with their D200 and Nikon is an utter disgrace and unworthy of the name "Nikon". And for those who say that the "banding" image artifacts are as a result of the inherent design of the camera and that some "banding" must be therefore lived with, then why do so many (indeed most?) owners insist - I repeat, absolutely *insist* - that their cameras have no "banding" whatsoever, ZERO, Nada, Not Under ANY Circumstances? D200 ownership should NOT be a $1,700 game of grabbing at a brass ring whereby the happy "winners" with perfectly functioning D200 cameras tell the "losers" who have D200's with banding or excessive hot/cold/stuck pixels or blanks appearing on their CF cards or shutters that self-destruct by slamming into their sensor cleaning tool or cameras that mysteriously go into error mode, etc. that they should (such as in the case of banding) "Just stick to shooting at ISO 100" (!) or "Learn to live with the camera's faults and work around them" and then going on to proffer up various software image "fixes" that will, in the process, degrade other aspects of the image. That attitude on the part of the lucky majority is self-righteous, pompous, arrogant and does little to assuage the sincere and deeply felt worry and disappointment by those seemingly caught in the middle with their less-than-perfect, less-than-*properly*-functioning D200 cameras. It all goes back to Quality Control - and Customer Care.

And speaking of QC - check you new Nikkor lenses well (most people don't even bother) as they can be hit or miss as far as having a glass element de-centered or a rough/too loose focusing and/or zoom ring... or whatever. Expect (in general terms, it varies by lens model) one in ten or so to have faults, so ask to compare with one or more identical lenses found at the same store. The sloppy focusing or zooming ring may be obvious immediately, but a de-centered lens element will only reveal itself through abberations occuring during picture taking, so develope a test regimen while mindful of the store's return policy.

Of further note...

Allow me to say this also: The Nikon D200 is an absolute marvel of modern digital imaging technology, it is a machine born of the best minds and of the best engineering available to date. But having said that, the sheer complexity of its circuit design and componentry will invariably lead to unforseen problems only revealed with extensive use and the passage of time. For buyers, understand that in 2 to 3 years time or so the D200 will be curbside fodder, and as much as we'd like to think that we paid for and behold the best, it will be old news sooner than you'd like to think. Such is life. Buy the camera for *you*, for what you think you can do with it now, for family, for friends, to capture that allusive smile, that sunset like no other, for things that go bump in the night. Don't even think about resale value, it should be none of your creative darned business, and you bought the D200 to create, right? If you're really concerned, go for the pool instead - find continuity and resale value there.

Nikon USA:

It would behoove Nikon to be more forthcoming as to any issues that pop-up (and as soon as they pop-up) rather than take a "circle the wagons" attitude. And NikonUSA would be better served by listening - and responding to - their customer base directly and promptly rather than responding late (if at all) or on a FAQ sheet so obviously vetted first through legal counsel. We, as purchasers of their product, are here to gain (hopefully) from Nikon's extensive experience and to help further that knowledge base to the benefit of others. Nikon, by name or by rote, is cherished by those photographers always willing to take the next step, to go the way nobody else has, to capture the Dark Sparkel. If Nikon is willing to lose our trust, to let us go the wayside for the sake of some corporate accountant's vision of their company, then we are together lost and at a point of no return. Cultural differences aside, Nikon Japan had better put their ear to the USA rail, and do it soon, as we have a lot to say as deserved of those so heavily or about to be so heavily invested in such an expensive product line. It is all about capturing images, a time and place in space, and they're going to lose their time and place if not careful, if not open and willing to hear our voice and to do so with a degree of understanding and mutual respect.

And finally...

I'm rating this D200 camera only a 1 star, not because I actually feel that that's all it rates, but to instead get some of the readers to take note of my "heads up" warnings listed above and to spur them to *immediately* start putting their camera through its paces well within the course of their store's "no penalty" refund/exchange policy time frame. I honestly believe that in capable and knowledgable hands that this camera is one of the very best DSLR's on the market today of any brand and within nearly any price range *IF* you are one of the 95% (or is it 83% or 91% - NOBODY KNOWS the exact numbers and Nikon isn't telling) that gets a properly functioning camera from the start as should be expected and *demanded* for a $1,700 purchase. Otherwise, should you have the misfortune of purchasing a D200 camera exibiting any of the aforementioned issues, you may well find yourself in a world of hurt if things don't go your way in seeking remedy. A phrase bandied about all too often in reference to the D200 and the repair of same is, "Good Luck". Luck should not have anything to do with it. Period.

A good D200 is well worth $1,700 and rates FIVE STARS in my book. A bad D200 will cost you $1,700 and rates... a headache.

The Nikon D200 Digital SLR camera is the most versatile digital SLR that has been made by Nikon. Optically it is definitely the most versatile digital SLR currently available, since it will allow Nikon users to use most of their manual Nikkor lenses, and superb third party lenses made by Sigma and Tokina. Therefore it will allow Nikon users the opportunity of using the new ZF Zeiss lenses which are slowly being introduced by Zeiss and Cosina, most notably the new 50mm f1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar which is said to be a major improvement over the still excellent Contax 50mm f1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar. So potential users of this camera have the best of the both worlds, using both current AF Nikkor lenses and superb third party autofocusing zooms and other lenses made by Sigma and Tokina, and such great manual focusing Nikkor lenses as the venerable 105mm f2.5 Nikkor and 35mm f1.4 Nikkor lenses and of course the new ZF Carl Zeiss lenses.

The Nikon D200 builds on the D2X with regards to versatility for digital photography, and then adds some more, offering richer colors than the previous top-of-the-line digital SLR. I've been impressed with reports I've heard about this camera's relative ease in handling, even under the worst weather conditions. So the Nikon D200 will appeal to many professional photographers because of its ruggedness. Without a doubt, Nikon has made a genuine winner which should allow it to retain not only its loyal following of professional and amateur photographers, but also attract others. A genuine winner which is well worth its expensive list price.

After I purchased a D70S last summer, Nikon introduced the D200 to the public in December. Getting the chance to handle one before purchase was like collecting hens teeth...My local camera store would sell every one that came in, and there was a massive waiting list. After putting my name on the waiting list, I finally lucked out at the end of April. Was I glad!! The camera is all that it's cracked up to be and then some. I purchased the optional battery pack with the camera body, and with this set up, it's difficult to tell the D200 from the more expensive D2X.
I was impressed with the D70S when it came out, and I enjoyed many hours of use with it. It's not a camera to sneeze at...But the D200 is in a whole other zip code in comparison.
If you're a Nikon digital fan, then the D200 will satisfy your digital itch sufficiently. However, even though it's not a difficult camera to get aquainted with, I believe the D70S or a D50 would be a better choice for those just breaking into the DSLR field from film. This is without a doubt a Pro class camera, and I look for sales of the D2X to fall because of it. Nikon has already started offering a $500 rebate on the D2X, which may indicate the publics reaction to this new piece. You just can't hardly find a D200 available...This should tell you something.

All I can say, it is worth the wait...no, it's not the best thing since sliced bread, but in comparison to what's on the market at this point in time, it is a great buy and will serve even the most picky among us.

Just a few days play with my brother-in-law's camera tells me everything I needed to know about this camera - that it produces images with better colour and tone than what I can get with my own D70. The ability to select the exact colour temperature, in addition to preset and fine-tuning white balance means I managed to get super-accurate colours. High Contrast setting on the D200 gives me exactly what I want, not like the artifical-looking skin tones from the D70 with the same setting. More Vivid means you really can get that Velvia-pop with landscapes, macros and nature photography. Do pay a visit to The Nikon D200 Infoblog to keep up with what current owners are achieving with this beauty of a camera!

This review compares D200 with D70(s) for those thinking to get one of these. I will not compare specs because that topic is readily available elsewheres. I'll give value, relative to D70(s), for each important different feature (based on my opinion and usage) so that you can see the relative values between the two cameras. Positive value means D200 is better.

1) Body construction: +$200
2) Max Frame rate: +$100
3) Max Flash Sync Speed: -$100
4) Mirror Lock Up: +$50
5) Remote Shutter Release: -$50
6) Time Interval Shooting: +$50
7) Focus Speed: +$100
8) Resolution: +$200
9) White Balance: +$150
10) Color: +$150
11) Moir: +$100
12) Banding: -$100
13) Noise: $0

Adding all up: +$850. At current prices, D200 is about $1000 more that D70(s).

Compare to D70(s), the colors and white ballances of the images from D200 is much better. In general, the images from D200 are very good straight from the camera. However, post processing may be still needed to get the images you want. But it is easier to get great images from D200 than from D70(s).

This review compares D200 with D70(s) for those thinking to get one of these. I will not compare specs because that topic is readily available elsewheres. I'll give value, relative to D70(s), for each important different feature (based on my opinion and usage) so that you can see the relative values between the two cameras. Positive value means D200 is better.

1) Body construction: +$200
2) Max Frame rate: +$100
3) Max Flash Sync Speed: -$100
4) Mirror Lock Up: +$50
5) Remote Shutter Release: -$50
6) Time Interval Shooting: +$50
7) Focus Speed: +$100
8) Resolution: +$200
9) White Balance: +$150
10) Color: +$150
11) Moire: +$100
12) Banding: -$100
13) Noise: $0
14) MF Lens: +50

Adding all up: +$900. At current prices, D200 is about $1000 more that D70(s).

Compare to D70(s), the colors and white ballances of the images from D200 is much better. In general, the images from D200 are very good straight from the camera. However, post processing may be still needed to get the images you want. It is easier to get great images from D200 than from D70(s).

I have a few classic Nikon MF lenses. Though they are usable with D200 (with metering), manual focus is difficult because the viewfinder is not very bright (brighter than D70, but not as good as film camera).

D200 is a great camera. Nikon must spend a lot of time designing this camera, and they did a great job.

There are things that D200 can be improved:

1) Cut down noise at high ISO, especially in dark area
2) In addition to having mirror lockup and self timer separately, also have self timer with mirror lockup.
3) Better dynamic range
4) Brighter viewfinder
5) Eliminate banding completley (currently, short banding may still exists under special situation)
6) Have an external button to select image style (D200 called image optimization). For example, select between vivid (landscape), portrait, custom 1, custom 2, etc.
7) Have remote shutter release, like D70(s)
8) Improve battery life, like D70(s)
9) Improve flash sync speed, like D70(s)
10) Current AF of D200 is very good, however it can be improved to the same level as in D2X.

I know that the wish list above is a little much. But I believe and hope that Nikon do take our wishes into consideration when they design their next cameras. Even though it is expensive and not perfect, D200 may be the best camera for the money at this time.

There are plenty of great reviews of this camera. I will try to quickly note the pros and cons below.

Pros:

- Value/Price: At the current price of $1699, this camera is a steal! It delivers near pro quality at a consumer price tag.
- Resolution: 10 MP is a lot of data. Enlargments at 20"x30" look superb from this camera, and even prints up to 40"x60" look pretty good. This delivers enough resolution for 95% or more of the potential buyers.
- Performance: 5 frames per second make this camera pretty fast. Add in the fact that color rendition is near perfect, and auto focus and metering are spot on. This camera performs similar to a pro SLR.
- Customer service: Nikon lenses come with a 5 year warranty, Canon lenses come with a 1 year warranty. Canon currently is experiencing serious quality control problems, even with their "L" glass (Think I'm kidding? Search the web for Canon lens quality control and see what you find). Nikon rarely has problems, but when they do they are very helpful. Instead "fixing" the problem at their repair facilities, they send you a new product, in most cases.
- User control/features: The D200 features a very large and bright LCD, and an intuitive menu. Every commonly used control has a button shortcut somewhere on the camera. The bright and detailed histograms won't dissapoint! The layout on this camera is simply perfect.
- Build: Very tough and durable, weather sealed as well. Feels like it will last forever.

Cons:

- Noise: Because of the chip design (different than the CMOS chips Canon uses) digital noise is a factor at high ISO's and long exposures. NIK Dfine is a photoshop software plug-in (one of many) that reduces noise without losing much or any sharpness/detail. Therefore, noise isn't a huge issue.
- Availability: As of now 6/22/06, there are not many of these in stock anywhere. Accesories are even harder to find, and the prices for many of D200 add-ons has jumped. Once supply cathces up with demand, this shouldn't be a problem.
- Wide angle: With a 1.5x crop, this camera doesn't work as well for wide angle photography. Nikon does offer a great 10.5mm fisheye and a 12-24mm lens, but those who already have a wide angle from before are going to be out of luck. Not a huge issue for some, and it makes up for it a bit by catering to the telephoto crowd.

In my opinion, the good outweighs the bad, by a landslide. I used to have a Canon 5D, but switched over to Nikon and bought this camera. The D200 offers a professionla build, with near pro performance, coupled with easy to use controls, and a lower price than comparable digital SLR's. This makes the D200 a clear winner in my book, not the best at anything in particular, but it does whatever you ask of it, and does it very well. This model truly bridges the gap between pro and consumer cameras.

Very few people are going to give an accurate review of the new Nikon D200, but I'm going to try. I'm NOT going to review the D200 on its own. That's not realistic or representative of how shoppers will seek out this camera. At such a high price, most buyers will have experience with digital cameras and DSLRs and be matching the D200 against other models. This review examines the new Nikon in that regard. IF you are actually thinking of this as a FIRST DSLR, please STOP. This is most likely not a good 1st DSLR due to it's complexity and steep learning curve. Please consider a D50 or D70s or the Canon 350XT which are also in the hands of plenty of professionals.

All others please read on....

The Nikon D200 is fairly advanced DSLR which uses interchangeable lenses and works with the Nikon flash system to produce professional results. It has a lighting fast auto focus system, though this is augmented nicely by the additional SB 800 flash which increases AF accuracy even further. For 1699.00 you know this is a serious unit that can take amazing photos, but the real question that MOST people will ask is this:

Do I need this level of camera over the D70s or D50 which cost a thousand dollars less? The question can be answered quite simply. If you shoot action, such as sports or birds or any fast moving objects, the D200's speed can serve you well, bringing a higher success rate. For more typical shooting, such as family, portraits and scenic, the advantages are questionable.

Don't let the higher mega pixel rate fool you. Prints from these cameras look just about the same. The D200's higher resolution gives you more cropping ability, but the D70 or D50 are more than capable in this area as well. The D200's higher ISO abilities are quite limited and this has been a major disappointment for users who have been honest about it. The Nikon D50 is better in this regard, as is the D2Hs. This is a major stumble at this price point. Some users will claim good ISO, but it's not forgiving in the least.

The viewfinder of the D200 may be the single most improved area at this price point. It's both bright and sharp compared to less models. This is not something to be taken lightly. A bright viewfinder is key for proper composition.

Handling of the D200 is beyond excellent. Like all of Nikon's DSLRs, the D200 just gets it right in a way than Canon continues to miss. This is yet another reason why people buy Nikon as it seems to be designed by people who actually shoot. The D200 is a work of art in this regard.

Picture quality is excellent, but this is NOT a camera for beginners. Higher resolution also means less sharp results without proper hand held technique. The D200 also employs VERY mild in-camera sharpening and this should be done in post. This is the polar opposite of cameras like the D50 or Canon 350 which deliver good shots right out of the camera. The D200 was designed to deliver as RAW a file as possible and allow the photographer final say in the digital darkroom. Because of this the D200 requires a fairly modern and fast computer with Photoshop or some other powerful post software that can handle the large files.

So what you're paying for here is a professional camera with superior focusing and shooting speed. Picture quality is about on par with other DSLRs. While some folks will claim otherwise, ALL DSLRs take great pictures in experienced hands and you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. Pro's and enthusiasts buy more for handling than anything else. In that capacity the D200 does not disappoint.

Current Nikon owners take note! The higher resolution of the D200 may expose lower end optics. The D200 must be used with better glass to see it's potential. So we're talking about a serious investment here. I currently use a 18-200VR, 12-24, Tamron 90mm Macro, 70-200VR, 50mm 1.4 and so on. Add the flash, filters and so on all ad up. The cost of a DSLR and lens package can easily hit 5K and the D200 encourages you to spend more. This is not a camera to slap 200 dollar lenses onto.

In the end, with a D200 sitting next to my trusty D70, I can't say that the D200 takes better photos. What it does do is allow YOU to take better photos. If it had better ISO range it would be a 5 star camera. I've given it 3 stars because at this point Nikon should have matched Canon in this area. And by now Canon should have built a camera with proper handling. Choose your poison, folks, but I must question the value of the D200 for the high ticket price. I don't see 1000 dollars worth of advantage over a D70s. Not even close.

I feel that the Nikon D70s continues to be the best DSLR on the market for the money....but if money doesn't matter and you are an advanced shooter...buy the D2Xs for 4.5K and be done. I also see the D2Hs as a superior camera even with 4MP. And the D2Hs handles noise far better. Very experienced shooters don't need 200% cropping in most cases.

Does this all mean I don't like the D200? No, it's a great camera. It's just not a stunning value and should be priced at 1299.00 at the most.


Capt RB

The D200 is simply amazing. I upgraded as soon as it came out, and I can honestly say that it is the best camera I have ever used. I have been using exclusively Nikon SLR's (and now dSLRs)for over 20 years, and this is absolutely fabulous. It feels right in your hands, it is intuitive and wonderfully engineered with all buttons and controls exactly where you would want them and expect them. A great upgrade from entry-level dSLR's or from your Nikon SLR. A day hasn't passed that I haven't used the camera. Couple this with the Nikon 18-200 VR lens, and you have a dream machine.

Purchased in March 2006, and having shot over 5000 frames with it, I've been happy overall with the D200, but concerned about a few issues. I have NOT seen the "banding" described by some reviewers early-on, but my body did have a dusty low-pass filter right out of the box - easily seen as spot anomolies in blue sky areas. I did not expect this from a brand new unit but understand it's easily cleaned...The noise issue: I agree with other owners who've reported higher-than-expected levels of pixelization noise in shadow areas even at moderatley low ISOs (but not in solid "black" areas); This has been a major disappointment, especially in a camera which is otherwise "sharp" when coupled with high-quality Nikkor lenses (which this is)...The Matrix metering tends to overexpose about .3 to 1.0 in my most frequent applications - another surprise considering my other camera, a Nikon N90S metered spot-on perfect in Matrix with the exact same lenses (but very simply compensated-for with the +/- dial)...Other nitpicks: The 'C'/'S'/'M' switch is easily changed by accident if you're gripping the lens where it meets the front of the body. Also, I predict early failure of the battery housing door because of poor latch design. The plastic flash hood is alarmingly light-weight and cheap-feeling...Now the Good News : FAST! This is why I bought and will keep this camera; Fast at all tasks - Impressive!...The D200 has an excellent feel and superb overall balance - great when dealing with heavy lenses. The build-quality is up to par, nice and solid-eeling. The menus are relatively easy to access and considering how much this camera can do, this is a major plus and particularily welcome in high speed shooting. The ease and variety of on-camera playback features is impressive, making it actually fun to review shots! The battery charges faster than I was led to believe and the plastic view-screen protector is a nice touch...Because of its complexity and price, I do not recommend this camera as a first digital SLR, but do if you've used the Nikon D70S dig-SLR or any of the old 'N'-series Nikon film SLRs.

I have been using my old trusty N90s for my trips abroad and have finally made a decision to switch full-time to a digital SLR. So far, I have not been disappointed with the camera. Buttons/dials are very convenient and intuitive (at least for me) and the switch from N90s to D200 was fairly painless. DPReview and Ken Rockwell have excellent reviews on this camera. Overall, no regrets with this camera.

We took a trip t Europe this year and I was worried about using a 35mm since I could not preview photos on the spot. I bought the Nikon D200 and the Cannon D30. I wasnt sure which would be the best and planned on returning the one I was least happy with. I have had Nikons in the past and was very pleased with the ease and quality.
When I received both cameras I took extensive pictures with both in the same areas and conditions. The ease of the Nikon was a huge plus and the easy trash button was much quicker than Canons. The color quality was so much better on the Nikon. I could not believe the difference. More lenses are available for the Nikon as well and they have better lense quality than Canon.
For someone who wants ease with quality or is a professional this is the best camera on the market. I have used cameras for 15 years and still have much to learn with this camera.
If you have the option GET THE NIKON!!!!!!

I photograph weddings for a living. This year, after ten years in business I decided to go all digital. I am now getting my second D200 body. Why?
I bought a Nikon D100 three years ago and still love and use it. I still think it's the best .jpg mode camera I own.
The D200 is a bit of a strange beast. Overexposures don't tend to blow out as much as they bleed. Honestly, I am not very impressed with the .jpg conversion of the D200. To me, it's the major weakness of the camera. But, stick the camera into the RAW mode and you have one hell of a system.
My only other major gripe is that the battery tends to die fairly quickly. I am waiting for the introduction of afermarket batteries. When they are less than $20 each I can pick up a bunch of them and keep them in my bag.
The D200 uses the Sony sensor, which is what I believe to be the same as what Sony is using in their consumer A100 DSLR camera system using the now defunct Minolta lens line.
I can see from other reviews many amatures are buying the D200. It's a good choice for a camera. I would highly suggest learning how to put the camera into the RAW Mode and playing with the images afterwards in PhotoShop CS2 with Bridge.
This is a third generation digital camera body. It's very good. I used to shoot only medium format film. With this camera, especially in the RAW mode, and used very carefully, I am getting very comparable image quality to medium format.
If you have a D50 or D70 and you are happy with the images it produces an upgrade to a D200 may not make a lot of sense. I would suggest enjoying what you have for now, and waiting for the next model in a couple of years. I've heard people who have been less than thrilled with the quality of the .jpg images as compared to the D70 (which is one of Nikon's best .jpg bodies ever!). If, on the otherhand, you can shoot in the RAW mode, and want a beefier body, more megapixels, and more bells and whisles, this is a good choice.
As for me, I don't even use this camera in the .jpg mode anymore. I am hoping that Nikon will come out with a firmware update to improve this camera body's .jgp conversion. When I shoot this camera in the RAW mode, I love everything about it! My medium format gear is now retired.

-Steve

I did not buy this camera directly from Amazon but I am a frequent client of this site. Despite that I am still on the learning curve of this device, I am extremelly impressed with the features it offers and with the gorgeous shots I am getting with it. Nikkor lenses are very fast and accurate that obviously complements perfectly the camera. The auto program will allow you to start shooting great pictures from the very beggining until you start to tweak all the feaures this baby has. It is indeed true that beats more expensive cameras like the Canon EOS 5D, specially comparing its performance with the amount of money you have to spend to get a couple of extra mega-pixels and a full-frame sensor. A job well done Nikon!

The D200 is my second Nikon digital camera having owned a D100 for the last three years (and Nikon film cameras before that) This is a camera that is pitched squarely at the semi-professional market or (very) serious amature. The build quality is superb and, as a result, the camera is reassuringly heavy. In use it is simply a dream - all the controls are easily attainable and the displays are clear & concise. Most common settings have dedicated buttons and it's rare to have to dig into the menus. This is fortunate as the range of settings available through the menu system is vast and can become overwhelming! There are very few things this camera doesn't do and it's hard to justify the extra money for the fully-pro D2x unless money is no object or one needs the kudos of a pro-spec camera.

I haven't mentioned image quality - in a word, it's fantastic. I haven't been able to find fault.

Before buying this camera there's a few questions you should ask yourself. This is a pro-spec camera and could easily overwhelm inexperienced users with its range of options & settings. ANY camera is capable of producing bad images in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it and, conversely, you can get great results with much cheaper models. For all but the most serious amature the D70s is probably going to be a better option - and Nikon should shortly be releasing a new 10.2MP model aimed at the D70s market.

To get the best from this camera you also need top quality lenses. Indeed, if money is a limiting factor then I'd suggest spending less on the camera body & more on the lens as quality optics will improve your images far more than anything inside the camera body.

In conclusion, this is a top quality, top spec DSLR with a specific target market in mind. It is easily able to hold its own in the hands of a professional or semi-professional user but might well be too much for inexperienced hobbyists.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great camera, but it could have been so much more. Like many, I moved up from a D70, which is a spectacular camera with few shortcomings. One of those shortcomings was the ability to save custom settings. Well the D200 was supposed to solve that problem with 4 custom settings banks, and 4 more shooting menu banks. Why 2 sets of banks, you ask? Beats the hell out of me, and in my opinion, they're all pretty much worthless.

Take the custom settings banks. By my count there are about 56 different settings. So you go into Bank A and set all of them for your needs. If one of those settings is something you always use, you have to change it in each of the 4 banks separately. So, you've got your custom settings set up for Bank A and you start shooting. You need to change an option for a shot or two, so you scan through all the settings, find the one you want, and change it. Guess what! That's where it stays until you set it back. So what's the point really? And wouldn't it be nice if you could just see what you changed on a menu? Nope, you still have to go through ALL the settings every time, including the stupid ones that you'll never change in your lifetime. I could go on, but do you get my point? I use Auto-ISO all the time (the camera automatically raises ISO to achieve a desired shutter speed). But to turn it off and on, which I do frequently, I have to go through the menus to do so.

The D200 has 3 buttons conveniently located for easy checking or adjustment. Picture Quality, ISO, and White Balance. These are a great feature, and easy to use. So why have them as menu options, too?

On the positive side, the camera is solidly built. It's nice having the extra resolution (although Nikon's consumer level dSLR should have that by the time you read this). You can see the ISO in the viewfinder, very helpful. Focusing and exposure seem much more accurate than the D70. The screen is large and easy to view. Battery life remaining is much easie