For about $1700, the D200 is a big step up from entry level DSLRs. The Nikon D70s and D50 have less than two-thirds the resolution of the D200, and significantly inferior autofocus. The D200's metal body is far more robust than the plastic D50 and D70s. Its viewfinder and controls are far superior as well. We expect plenty of midrange wedding photographers to pounce on the D200, perhaps instead of the Fuji FinePix S3, or to use it as a backup – maybe shoot the formals with the S3, and the reception hijinks with the much faster D200.
How does it stack up as a value proposition against the competition? It seems as though Nikon and Canon don't quite go head-to-head on either price or capability. The D200 lands somewhere between Canon's 20D and 5D in price and resolution. Clearly, no one would pay $1300 more for the 5D unless they really wanted a full-frame sensor. On the other hand, paying $700 more to step up from a 20D to a D200 requires some judgment calls: is a 2 megapixel advantage significant in one's work? Does a 2.5-inch, high-res LCD matter that much? How about the autofocus performance difference? Whether those factors should tip one's buying decision is an individual matter, but they certainly justify the price difference.
Nikon D100 - The Nikon D200 is more than a souped-up version of its 2002 predecessor, the D100. The D100 has fewer megapixels (6.1 instead of 10.2), a smaller LCD screen (1.8 inches and 118,000 pixels, as opposed to the D200’s 2.5-inch, 230,000 pixel screen), a slightly smaller shutter speed range with no 1/8000 option, fewer frames in auto exposure bracketing, and a slower flash sync speed at 1/180 instead of the D200’s 1/250. One of the biggest improvements is the autofocus system. The D200's CAM1000 is faster and more accurate, and has 11 sensor areas, while the D100 has 5.
The D100 actually has the advantage in very few areas: it’s 5 ounces lighter, has a slightly larger diopter adjustment range (-3 instead if -2), and offers two additional self-timer options. Still, the D200 is a much more polished camera. It's more rugged, more flexible and better thought-out. The nearly four years between the D100's introduction and the D200's have taught Nikon a lot about DSLRs, and it shows.
Canon EOS 5D - Announced in August of this year for $3299, the Canon EOS 5D is notable for its full-frame sensor and solid performance, especially its excellent noise suppression. Nearly double the cost of the Nikon D200, the 5D offers a few more megapixels (12.8), and has a burst rate that can continue for an incredible 71 JPEGs at 3 fps before choking. Despite the D200's 5 fps frame rate, it appears that the 5D has the more efficient data flow.
ISO range and shutter speed options are the same, though the 5D’s sync speed is a touch slower at 1/200 and it has 2 fewer AF points, as well as no built-in flash. Also, the exposure compensation and bracketing options are not as expansive.
The 5D is undoubtedly a great camera. At half the cost and with much of the same options, and even some improvements in some areas, the D200 provides some competition. The 5D's full-frame sensor is its major strength, and it delivers great color and low noise – though the D200 is not far behind. The 5D's image parameters are also easier to set and a bit more flexible.
Fuji FinePix S3 Pro - The Fuji S3 Pro has the best dynamic range of any DSLR on the market, period. If details in both highlights and shadows in the same image are what you seek, there’s no contest between the S3 and other DSLRs, including the D200. Otherwise, you’ll have to do a bit more thinking. Both cameras use Nikon lenses (the S3 has a Nikon F-mount) and can take CompactFlash cards. The Fuji also uses harder-to-find xD cards. The S3’s screen is 0.5” smaller and it has 2 percent less vertical frame coverage in the viewfinder. It has a slower sync speed of 1/180, only 5 AF areas, and a narrower exposure compensation scale to boot.
The S3 offers only 6 megapixels, but uses 91 percent of its advertised pixel count—a rarity—to create sharp images. The S3 had even less noise at higher ISO settings than the Canon 5D; with noise at ISO 1600 comparable to the 5D’s noise at ISO 400.
The S3 is relevant only because of its image quality and dynamic range. It is beastly slow in every way. File writing is slow. Burst mode is slow. Autofocus is slow. Still, until brides start wearing gray wedding gowns, the S3's dynamic range will be indispensable to some shooters.
Nikon D70s - The Nikon D70s and Nikon D200, both released this year, are very comparable cameras. The differences make the D70s favor slightly less experienced users; the D70s is more point-and-shoot friendly with six scene modes and is ten ounces lighter, while the more serious D200 has better autofocus and a metal body. The D200 also has more ISO, diopter adjustment, and AF mode options, in addition to a larger LCD screen with 100,000 more pixels—and of course, 4 more megapixels of resolution.
The D200 is superior overall, but the D70s can be found online for $800 or $900 with a kit lens and extras, or for under $500 for the body only. The budget-conscious may be unable to resist the D70s for a price like that.
Canon EOS 20D - The Canon EOS 20D, which can be found for as low as $800 online for the body only, is also quite comparable to the D200. The 20D has a couple fewer megapixels (8.25), less-capable autofocus and a lower quality LCD screen (1.8 inches at 118,000 pixels). It also has a narrower exposure compensation scale and 5 scene presets. Other than these few differences, the cameras have very similar specs—the same shutter and sync speeds, frame coverage, metering modes, burst mode, expanded ISO scale. The Nikon D200's metal body is both tougher and better-sealed than the 20D, and the Nikon gets the nod for autofocus speed and accuracy.
Nikon and Canon are the top DSLR manufacturers worldwide, so it’s no surprise that they have models that compete with each other. The price difference between the 20D and D200 may make some hesitate, but the $800 price quoted earlier is rare, and it’s more likely that buyers will find a 20D body for around $1,000. The 20D however is over a year old, and its MSRP at the time of release was more comparable. Both manufacturers are known for quality, so either the 20D or the D200 is probably a safe bet.
Nikon D2X - The Nikon D2X is actually the closest thing on the market to the D200 in terms of specs, even more so than the 20D or the D70s. For as low as $2,800 online, the D2X delivers a couple more megapixels and 100 percent frame coverage, but a surprisingly truncated ISO range with an option that only goes up to ISO 800 – with its own “High” mode that adds an extra stop. Other than that, the cameras’ specs are extremely similar.
The D2X costs more for reasons that professionals appreciate. It's a tougher body with vastly better autofocus and a much better viewfinder – that 100 percent coverage matters to those getting paid for their shots – on top of higher resolution.
