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- Review: The Nikon D200
Review of the Nikon D200 - Structure and Design (p2)
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.
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.
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Bill Flowers)
I am a Pro, using the D200 in my Ad Agency and also for Artist sessions for high profile recording artist. This camera took a while to learn all this camera can do. Everything you can imagine can be fine tuned and manually adjusted. Night shots are my favorite because of the creativity that can be achieved. This is my second Nikon, but the only one I ever use. Be sure to spend the extra buck for a good lense or 2 or 3. My favorite is the Nikon Zoom Telephoto AF VR Zoom 70-200mm f/2.8D G-AFS ED-IF. It will set you back around the same you pay for the camera ($1,500-$1,800), but you will have one amazing camera capable of taking the money shot.
