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- Review: The Nikon D200
Review of the Nikon D200 - Features (p3)
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.
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.
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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.
