MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES AT A GLANCE
Pixels	New 10.2 Effective Megapixel CCD image sensor. (10.92 total megapixels)
File Formats	Shoots 54 normal JPEGs, 37 Fine Large JPEGs, or 23 RAW NEF files at 5-frames per second!
Autofocus	New Multi-CAM 1000 AF Module, with 11-area AF, or 7-wide area AF. Autofocus modes are very similar to the D2x with Single Area, Dynamic, Group Dynamic, Dynamic with Closest Subject Priority. Has AF-S, AF-C, and Manual.
Motor Drive	Uses S–Single Servo, CL –Continuous Low, and CH –Continuous High at a maximum sustained rate of 5-frames per second.
Metering	3-D Color Matrix Metering II with 1005 pixel RGB Color Meter. Three main light meter types are Matrix, Averaging, and Spot Meters built-in.
LCD	2.5 inch 230,000-dot LCD image monitor, 170 degree viewable. Allows an image preview mode that will zoom in to 400%.
Histograms	Single combined, or separate RGB color channel Histograms (Like D2x). Provides a histogram for each channel of the RGB.
i-TTL	New i-TTL Commander Mode Speedlight control built-in to the camera. Use the in-camera Speedlight to control two groups of an unlimited number of external Speedlights, like the SB-800, SB-600, or SB-R200. CLS compatible.
Built-In Speedlight	Guide number 12/39 (ISO 100 at m/ft). Covers 18mm wide angle. Flash Sync Modes: Front Curtain Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain Sync.
Flash Compensation	-3 to +1 EV in 1/3 steps.
Image Size	3,872 x 2,592 pixels, providing a 28.7MB 8-bit, or 57.4MB 16-bit TIFF file.
ISO Sensitivity	100 to 1600 in 1/3 EV steps, plus HI-1 setting (3200 ISO). Also has an AUTO setting.
Body	Magnesium-alloy body with enhanced sealing in all critical areas, like D2x
Image Processing	RGB 4-channel “Advanced Image Processing Engine”, same of the D2x
Noise Reduction	Regular 3x noise reduction and long-exposure noise reduction
Color Spaces	sRGB or Adobe RGB color spaces with 3 color modes: I, II, or III
Speed	0.15s camera startup (industry's fastest), 50ms Shutter delay, and 105ms viewfinder blackout.
Mirror	Balanced mirror mechanism with virtually no mirror bounce. Has a mirror lockup mode similar to the D2x. Selected M-Up shooting on dial.
Viewfinder	0.94x magnification viewfinder, with approximately 95% frame coverage. Gridline display available.
Image Capture	NEF, NEF + JPEG, TIFF, Optimal Quality or Size Priority JPEG.
Shutter Speeds & Life	30 seconds to 1/8000th second shutter speeds, tested to over 100,000 cycles.
Flash Sync	Flash Sync up to 1/250th second and Auto FP High-Speed Sync, up to 1/8000th second.
Image Optimization	New image optimization modes with the following choices: Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, Custom, and BLACK & WHITE!
Multiple-exposures	Of up to 10 separate images to create a composite.
Image overlay	Functions allows overlay with opacity adjustments of two RAW files to create a composite.
Optional Battery Holder	Optional MB-D200 Multi-function Battery Holder, holds one or two EN-EL3e, or six AAs.
GPS	Capable via MC-35 GPS adaptor cord.
Wi-Fi	Optional WI-FI Transmitter WT-3, gives IEEE802.11 b/g wireless compatibility.
Lenses	Uses DX Nikkor AF, or 35mm AF Nikkor lenses and others with restrictions.
Low-Pass Filter	New optical low-pass filter prevents moiré, color fringing and shifting.
Menus	New color coded menu displays…easy to read!
Battery	EN-EL3e Lithium ION battery for up to 1800 shots per charge.
Image Storage	Compact Flash (CF) types I, II, and Microdrive.
FUNC Button	Yes, it is there and Nikon calls it a FUNC button!

 

SUMMARY

The Nikon D200 seems to be a Nikon D2x in miniature. As I considered each of its advanced features, I was looking for weaknesses or slowness in comparison to my D2x. I found very little difference in meaningful features. Now, clearly, the D200 is not a top-of-the-line flagship camera like the D2x, or it would cost thousands more. And, I am sure that the features of the D200 should be considered subsets of the much higher cost proline D2X/H series. But, let me tell you...this D200 is much closer to the big dog than the small puppy.

Unless I was a full-blown professional, making a living with my camera, I might consider buying a D200 and some excellent professional glass instead of a D2x and some medium quality glass. The lens is much more important to the final quality of the image than the camera. I feel that many should consider getting a D200 and buying the best lenses, instead of buying the most expensive camera and inexpensive lenses.

Had the D200 been available back in February 2005 when I was slobbering over D2x brochures, I might have gone a different direction. My D100 from 2002 always took great images for me, and with these advanced feature sets the D200 is a MASSIVE step upwards. I honestly think that the camera should have sold for more like $2500 to $3000 USD than $1699.95, so I'm not going to complain about this wise move for market share.

This is a real deal for the "passionate" photographer who wanted a D2x but couldn't afford it. And for true professionals, it carries enough of the D2x's feature sets to be a real contender for situations where it might be hard to use a D2x due to the very high cost of camera replacement. Travel photography comes to mind.

Even though I own a Nikon D2x, you can bet that I'll also own a D200. I'll have to buy it for my dear wife, Digital Brenda, in order to get one without sleeping on the couch for a while. But, I'm sure she'll let me "borrow" it quite often!

For true NAS (Nikon Acquisition Syndrome) satisfaction, buy yourself a Nikon D200 as soon as possible. It will help suppress NAS for at least 6-months, guaranteed!

Keep on capturing time...