After nearly a year on the market, the Nikon D200 has emerged as Nikon's flagship midrange digital SLR. With the right balance of professional features and affordability, the camera has been especially popular among serious amateur photographers and professionals on a budget.

Nikon D200 Structure and Design

The official slogan of the Nikon D200 is "Faster. Smarter. Stronger." Stronger likely refers to the D200's sturdy, solid construction. At 5.8x4.4x 2.9 inches and 2 pounds, the D200 is certainly heavier and more substantial than the less expensive Nikon D70 or D50, but not quite as bulky as the professional Nikon D2X or Canon EOS 5D. The additional battery grip, which adds a bit of weight and stability, is standard on the D2X, but optional on the D200. The D200's chassis is composed of a durable and robust magnesium-alloy, much like the D2X. To keep out the elements, the camera is secured with a water and dust resistant sealing system, making it suitable for nearly any situation.

Most of the D200's control buttons and dials are logically placed, and essentially where you would expect them to be (especially if you are familiar with other Nikon D-series models). When holding the camera in shooting position it is quite easy to reach almost every button and dial. On the back of the camera, in the top right section (below), you will find the command dial that allows you to switch from matrix metering to center-weighted or spot metering. There is also a central autofocus lock button.



Below the metering controls, and just to the left of the 2.5-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD display, are the control buttons for the camera's menu system and focusing options. The user has quite a bit of control over how and where the camera focuses. You can choose from single-area autofocus (with 7 to 11 focus zones), dynamic area (the camera has the ultimate control over which focus zones are used), group dynamic autofocus (where various groups of focus zones are used), or dynamic autofocus, which brings the nearest object into sharpest focus. These options are complex enough for the professional, and may take a beginner some time to master.

On the left side of the LCD are a series of buttons that allow access to
picture review, the menu system, review layout options, and image protection. The image-protection button can also be used as a help key while you are using the menu system.


Looking down on the camera, on the left side, you will see a mode dial much like the one on the DX2. Using this dial you can switch between continuous shooting modes (single-shot, low-speed, and high-speed), self-timer options, and mirror lockup settings. Three buttons on top of the dial allow you to adjust ISO, resolution, and white balance settings.

To the right of the D200's hotshoe is one of the largest top LCD panels in the industry. This panel displays a wide range of useful information, such as the current shooting mode, remaining battery charge, memory card information, gridline display, shutter speed, f-stop, and number of shots available. Just in front of the top display is the shutter release button, LCD switch and EV buttons.

The D200's viewfinder is surprisingly large and clear. There are many visual aids available to the user, including optional gridlines and glowing indicator marks that show which of the 7 or 11 focus areas are currently active. With a standard 50mm lens, the viewfinder provides approximately .94x magnification and 95% horizontal and vertical frame coverage. One important feature the D200's viewfinder lacks is the glare reducing coating used on the D2X.

Finally, nearly all of the camera's connections are found along the left side. Here you will find standard A/V connectors under rubber flaps, a USB 2.0 slot, DC power connection, and a 10-pin jack for various other accessories. On the opposite side of the camera you will find the standard CF card slot.

Nikon D200 Features
Like the new Nikon D80, the Nikon D200 is equipped with a 10.2-megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor capable of capturing sharp, true-to-life color images at 3,872 x 2,592-pixels. The image processor is borrowed from the professional D2X, providing high-quality color gradations and transitions. In addition, a new Optical Low Pass Filter helps to reduce color fringing and shifting, which can adversely effect accurate color reproduction.

The D200's shutter speed range is the same as that of the D2X: 30 seconds to 1/8,000-second. Also like the D2X, the D200 has 45 different custom settings, a 2.5-inch LCD display with a 170-degree viewing angle, and an aperture coupling ring that provides autoexposure in Aperture-Priority mode. The ISO range of the D200 is actually slightly larger than that of the D2X: 100 - 1600 as opposed to only 100 - 800 on the D2X. The D2X, however, has one and two ISO boosts to 1600 and 3200, while the D200 has only one ISO boost to 1600.

The D200 has a fairly new 11-area AF system that is smaller than the D2X AF, but otherwise essentially the same. As mentioned earlier, the user can also switch between 7-area and 11-area wide autofocus depending on the situation. Nikon has also updated the lens-controlling system for improved focusing and tracking.

Yet another D2X holdover is the D200's 3D Color Matrix Metering II exposure system, designed for use with the Nikon 1,005-pixel RGB Color Matrix Metering Sensor. The system calculates optimum settings by evaluating current lighting, color, contrast, depth of field, and focus area, then comparing these values to an onboard database created from 30,000 reference images. The D200 has center-weighted metering that gives 75% weight to a 6, 8, 10, or 13mm diameter circle in center of the frame and spot metering with a 3mm diameter circle centered on an active focus area (about 2.0% of the frame).

A multiple exposure option allows up to 10 individual photos to be used to create one single, larger composite photo. Also, image overlay can be used to create a composite photo out of two RAW images, right on the camera. The source files are saved separately and remain unaltered. The new photo can be saved as RAW, JPEG, or TIFF.

Like all Nikon digital SLRs, the D200 is compatible with the Nikon Total Imaging System and the 50 or so AF Nikkor lenses that it supports. If you want to use a lens without a CPU, you will have to go into the menu, enter information about the lens focal length and min. aperture so that the camera can make the appropriate adjustments.

Nikon D200 Performance

The D200 powers up quick in less than half a second. Though it isn't the fastest Nikon out there, it was always on and ready to take the shot before we were. In both JPEG and RAW mode the camera took consecutive photos with less than a one-second delay. When using the flash, the delay was stretched only slightly to about 1.15 seconds. Shutter lag was, as we expected, almost undetectable at 0.1 second.

In low-speed continuous shooting mode, the D200 was able to take 30 high-quality JPEG photos in under 8 seconds (slightly under 4fps). RAW files were captured slightly faster at just above 4fps. In high-speed mode, RAW photos were captured at up to 5fps.

More impressive than the D200's speed is its image quality. With over 2 megapixels less resolution than the D2X, the D200 is still capable of producing professional-quality photos. In fact, when comparing images shot by the D200 and D2X it was nearly impossible to tell the difference. If anything, the D200 has a slight advantage under low-light conditions, where the D200's noise-reduction feature helps keep noise under control even at ISO 3200. At ISO 800 and below, noise is basically undetectable. This is a major improvement over the D100, and even to some degree the D2X. Color reproduction and exposure was also quite good, with only a slight tendency towards the warm end of the spectrum. Adjustments to white balance can usually counteract this effect.

The Nikon D200 menu system is well planned out and easy enough to navigate. Nikon D100 and D70 owners will recognize the majority of features and options. On the D200, however, users can now create their own "banks" of preset settings for different situations. For instance, you can now set up a list of settings (including ISO, white balance, photo quality, etc.) best suited for sports photography, portraits, or landscapes. Even for those completely new to the Nikon D-series menu, the D200 menu shouldn't take too long to master.

The D200's battery life is surprisingly good considering the additional voltage the D200 needs to power its 2.5-inch LCD display, autofocus and various other advanced electronic systems. We were able to shoot about 900 photos on a single battery charge, which is comparable to the D100 and D70. Finally, a built-in voltage sensor on the D200 means you will actually have an accurate battery life indicator.

In many ways the Nikon D200 is really an advanced amateur's dream come true. It has nearly all of the features of a full professional camera like the DX2, at only a fraction of the cost. With a quick response time, very good photo quality, and countless manual options and custom settings, the Nikon D200 is a very competitive mid-range digital SLR.

 Nikon D200 Specifications

• Effective pixels: 10.2 million
• Type of camera: Single-lens reflex digital camera
• Image sensor: RGB CCD, 23.6 x 15.8mm; total pixels: 10.92 million
• Image size (pixels): 3,872 x 2,592 [L], 2,896 x 1,944 [M], 1,936 x 1,296 [S]
• Storage media: CompactFlash (CF) card (Type I and II) and Microdrive
• Sensitivity: 100 to 1600 (ISO equivalent) in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV with additional settings up to 1 EV over 1600
• File System: Exif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0, and DPOF
• Storage system: Compressed or uncompressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression, JPEG: JPEG baseline-compliant
• White balance: 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)
• LCD monitor: 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
• Playback function: 1) Full frame 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments) 3) Zoom 4) Slideshow 5) RGB histogram indication 6) Shooting data 7) Highlight point display 8) Auto image rotation
• Interface: Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
• Picture angle: 35mm [135] format is approximately 1.5 times lens focal length
• Text input: Up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text input available with LCD monitor and multi-selector; stored in Exif header
• Compatible lenses: All AF-DX, AF-D, AF-G, AF-I, AF-S, and AF VR Nikkor lenses provide full AF and metering operation. AI-P lenses provide manual focus with electronic rangefinder and full metering operation. AI lenses provide manual focus with electronic rangefinder, Aperture Priority and Manual exposure mode, C/W and Spot metering operation.
• Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level Pentaprism type; built-in diopter adjustment (-2.0 to +1.0m-1)
• Eyepoint: 19.5mm (-1.0m-1)
• Focusing screen: Type-B BriteView clear matte screen Mark II with superimposed focus brackets and on-demand grid lines
• Viewfinder Frame Coverage: Approximately 95% (vertical and horizontal)
• Viewfinder Magnification: Approximately 0.94x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0m-1
• Viewfinder Information: Focus indications, metering system, AE/FV lock indicator, flash sync indicator, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure/exposure compensation indicator, ISO sensitivity, exposure mode, flash output level compensation, exposure compensation, number of remaining exposures
• Autofocus: TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with AF-assist illuminator (approximately 0.5 to 3.0 meters)
• Lens servo: Instant single-servo AF (S); continuous-servo AF (C); manual (M); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in continuous-servo AF
• Focus area: Normal: 11 areas; single area or group can be selected; wide: focus area can be selected from 7 areas
• AF Area Mode: 1) Single Area AF 2) Dynamic Area AF 3) Group Dynamic 4) Dynamic area AF with closest subject priority
• Focus lock: Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
• Exposure metering system: Three-mode through-the-lens (TTL) exposure metering. 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed by 1,005-segment RGB sensor. 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 6, 8, 10, or 13-millimeter diameter circle in center of frame. 3) Spot: Meters 3-millimeter diameter circle (about 2.0% of frame) centered on active focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used).
• Exposure metering range: (ISO 100, f1.4 lens, 68 degrees F): 1) EV 0 to 20 (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering)2) EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f1.4 lens, 20 degrees C)
• Exposure meter coupling: Combined CPU and AI
• Exposure modes: Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M]
• Exposure compensation: Plus or minus 5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV
• Autoexposure lock: Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
• Autoexposure bracketing: 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2, or 3
• Shooting modes: 1) Single frame shooting mode 2) Continuous low speed (CL) shooting mode: 1 to 4 frames per second 3) Continuous high-speed shooting mode: 5 frames per second 4) Self-timer shooting mode 5) Mirror-up mode
• Shutter: Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter, 30 to 1/8,000 second in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV, bulb
• Sync contact: X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec.
• Flash control: 1) TTL: TTL flash control by 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; Built-in Speedlight: i-TTL balanced fill-flash or standard i-TTL flash (spot metering or mode dial set to [M]) SB-800 or 600: i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR. 2) Auto aperture
• Available with SB-800 with CPU lens. 3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22. 4) Range-priority manual; available with SB-800 : Flash sync mode
• 1) Front-curtain sync (normal sync), 2) Red-eye reduction, 3) Red-eye reduction with slow sync, 4) Slow sync, 5) Rear-curtain sync : Built-in Speedlight
• Manual pop-up with button release guide number (ISO 100, m): approximately 12 (manual 13) : Flash compensation
• -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV : Accessory shoe
• Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with safety lock provided : Sync terminal
• ISO 519 standard terminal : Self-timer
• Electronically controlled timer with 2 to 20 seconds duration : Depth of field preview
• When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M mode) or value selected by camera (P and S mode) : Remote control
• Via 10-pin remote cord MC-22/30/36 (optional) or wireless remote control WT-3 (optional) : GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable (optional) and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)
• Power source: One rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL3e, MB-D200 battery pack (optional) with one or two rechargeable Nikon EN-EL3e Li-ion batteries or six AA alkaline (LR6), NiMH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or 2R6 nickel-manganese AA batteries, AC Adapter EH-6 (optional)
• Tripod socket: 1/4 inch (ISO)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): Approximately 147 x 113 x 74 millimeters
• Weight: Approximately 830 grams without battery, memory card, body cap, or monitor cover
• Lens:
• Focal length: 55-200mm (35mm equivalent 82.5 to 300 millimeters)
• Maximum aperture: f4-5.6
• Minimum aperture: f22-32
• Weight: Approximately 255 grams (9 ounces)
• Dimensions: Approximately 68 x 79 millimeters long (2.7 x 3.1 inches)
• Maximum reproduction ratio: 0.000734953703703704
• Picture angle on Nikon DX format sensor: 28 degrees, 50 minutes (@55mm) to 8 degrees (@200mm)
• AF G-Type: AF Nikkor G-Type lenses feature more compact lens designs and include D-Type technology that provides the camera with precise distance information for flash and ambient light exposure processes
• Lens construction: 13 elements in 9 groups (with 2 ED glass elements)
• DX type: DX Nikkor is designed exclusively for use with Nikon digital SLR models
• Minimum focus distance: 0.95 meters (3.1 feet)
• Filter/attachment size: 52mm