Published on 11/19/2006

The Nikon D80 and Nikon D200 are two of Nikon's most popular digital SLR cameras. They each offer great photo quality at a very reasonable price. Deciding which of the two to purchase is often quite difficult, and usually comes down to choosing the features you really want, and determining how much you are willing to spend.

Nikon D80 vs. Nikon D200 - A Side-by-Side Comparison

Nikon D80

Nikon D200

$950

5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0
1 pound, 5 ounces

$1500

6 x 4 x 2
2 pounds

Image Sensor

The Nikon D80 is equipped with a 10.2-megapixel 23.6 x 15.8mm Nikon DX format CCD image sensor. The sensor can capture images up to 3,872 x 2,592 pixels in resolution.

The Nikon D200 has a essentially the same 10.2-megapixel Nikon DX format CCD image sensor with up to 3,872 x 2,592 pixel resolution.

Autofocus Sytem

11-point autofocus system with the Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module. Each focus point may be used individually for precise focusing, while the center sensor can be switched to wide-frame for broader coverage. Manual and autofocus modes available.

The same 11-point autofocus system is found on the D200.
The user can choose individual focus areas from 11-area wide and 7-area wide AF for Single Area AF, Dynamic AF for moving subjects, Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF, and Group Dynamic AF.

Speed and Performance

The Nikon D80 can power up in as little as 0.18 seconds. Shutter speed ranges from 30 to 1/4,000 seconds and shutter response is quite fast, with a delay of only 80 milliseconds. In continuous shooting mode, the D80 can capture up to 100 M-sized JPEGs or 6 RAW photos at 3 frames per second.

On average, the Nikon D200 is only slightly faster than the D80 - taking only 0.15 seconds to power up. It also has a shutter speed range of 30 to 1/8,000 seconds and an impressively brief shutter lag time of about 50 milliseconds. At about 5 frames per second, the Nikon D200 can take up to 37 large/fine JPEGs, 22 RAW images.

LCD Display

2.5-inch LCD display with approximately 230,000 pixels and a maximum viewing angle of 160 degrees.

2.5-inch TFT LCD display with approximately 230,000 pixels and a maximum viewing angle of 170 degrees. Images can magnified up to 400%.
The D200 also has a large top LCD that displays important information, such as shooting mode, battery condition, card information, gridline display, shutter speed, f-stop, and shots remaining.

Viewfinder

Pentaprism viewfinder with 0.94x magnification. May be adjusted using a diopter control knob. A integrated grid display can also be switched on to aid in composition.

Fixed eye-level Pentaprism viewfinder with 0.94x magnification and 95% coverage. Diopter adjustments can also be made from -2.0 to +1.0m-1.

Exposure, Metering, and ISO

The D80 has an advanced auto exposure system driven by Nikon's exclusive 3D-Color Matrix Metering II. Metering range is EV 0-20, adjustable in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. Brightness, color, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance are all compared with an onboard database of 30,000 reference photos, and calculated to give optimum results. Exposure modes include Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait); Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M]. The standard ISO range is 100 to 1600, but may be boosted further by using the modes HI-0.3, HI-0.7 or HI-1.

The Nikon D200 also uses the 3D Color Matrix Metering II
system (the same used on the D2x). The metering is handled by 1,005-segment RGB sensor that provides center-weighted (6, 8, 10, or 13-millimeter diameter circle in center of frame) or spot (3-millimeter diameter circle focused on subject) metering.
Metering range is EV 0-20
for center-weighted, and EV 2-20 for spot metering with increments of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV. Standard ISO range is 100 - 1600 with a 3200 Hi-1 boost.

Flash

Built-in i-TTL flash system that evaluates flash exposure and provides balanced fill flash in nearly any situation. Repeating flash and modeling flash functions available. Contains advanced wireless lighting system that remote controls the B-800 and SB-600 wireless speedlites.

TTL flash control by 1,005-pixel RGB sensor. Also compatible with many Nikon speedlites, including the SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22.

White Balance

Auto (TTL white balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting (Kelvin), preset white balance; white balance bracketing available.

Auto (TTL white balance with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes with fine-tuning, color temperature setting, preset white balance, white balance bracketing possible (2 to 9 frames in increments of 1, 2, or 3)

Additional Features

The nikon D80 has several preset optimal image settings, including Normal, Softer, Vivid, More vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-white. Three major color modes are also available: Mode Ia renders natural-looking skin tones out of the camera (sRGB), Mode II: realizes a wider color range suitable for processing or retouching (Adobe RGB), and Mode IIIa renders vivid landscape and floral colors out of the camera (sRGB). The D80's lithium Ion battery can hold a very impressive 2,700 images per charge. Has SD Memory Card Slot and USB 2.0.

Contains new image optimization modes that allow the photographer to better control sharpening, tone (contrast), color, saturation, and hue, with choices from Normal, Softer, Vivid, More vivid, Portrait, Custom, and Black-and-white. According to Nikon, "multiple exposure enables up to 10 separate images to be used to create a single composite to produce imaginative and even surreal results." Uses a EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery that supports up to 1,800 images on a single charge. May be connected to a GPS unit via a MC-35 adapter cord.

Verdict: The Nikon D200 is intended for advanced enthusiasts and professional photographers on a budget. Accordingly, the D200 offers some features you won't find on the D80, which is why it may cost up to $600 more (body only). The D80, on the other hand, is specifically designed for prosumer crowd, with plenty power to allow almost anyone to take great photos, but enough limitations in certain areas to keep in within the sub-$1000 price range. Overall, however, these two cameras are surprisingly similar, which gives the D80 a slight edge, especially if price is one of the most important factors in your decision.