| D200
Preview
by Digital Darrell
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NEW
CCD
With
the new 10.2 megapixel CCD, one can make very large images
with extremely high resolution and deep color. Since it uses
the same 4-channel image processing system as the D2x, it
is very fast, with smooth color gradations and high clarity.
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Nikon
D200 10.2 megapixel CCD |
Nikon
has also redesigned the low-pass filter on the D200. This
is important, since this filter seriously affects image quality.
On the older D100, the low-pass filter was quite strong, and
the D100 had less sharp images out of the camera, but less
moiré. With the introduction of the D70 the filter
was weakened, and the images are significantly sharper immediately.
But the D70 suffered with more "moiré" as
a result. Moiré is the color banding effect one sees
in fine detail, especially in grid-like subjects where the
finest image detail has reached the resolution limit of the
sensor.
On
the D200, Nikon has developed a new Optical low-pass filter
that helps prevent moiré, color fringing and shifting,
while also "complementing the sensor's improved resolving
power." This seems to signify that it will not blur
the images as badly as some of the older low-pass filters
did. From the sample
images I've seen at their 100% size, the D200 does NOT
have a problem with initially unsharp images. In fact, as
I zoom in on them, I am simply amazed at their sharpness,
lack of noise, and clarity. If you have a good internet bandwidth,
download this 6.89 megabyte sample.
You'll see clearly what I mean!
CAMERA
SPEED
One
of the aggravating things about some digital cameras is the
time it takes to get the camera ready to make an image. This
is not a problem with the D200, since it only has a 0.15 second
power-up time. This is about the equivalent of an eye blink,
and is one of the fastest startup times in the industry.
Another,
more serious problem with many digital cameras is trying
to take an action picture and having a slow shutter
response time cause one to miss the peak of the action.
I remember my first digital camera, back in 1999. I
was trying to take some pictures of my kids on a swing.
I remember having to time the shutter release part of
the way through the swing, so that the shutter would
finally release, and hopefully catch the peak of the
swing. I was unsuccessful more often than not. Once
I got my D100, that was no longer a problem. Then I
got my D2x, and it was so fast that I merely had to
think about taking the image and it was done. What about
the D200? Well, it has a 50 millisecond shutter release
delay. The $5,000 USD Nikon D2x has a 37 millisecond
release delay. So close as to be imperceptible. Consider
the D200's release to be instantaneous! |
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Finally,
one of the last things that always bugged me about SLRs in general,
is the way the subject disappears when the shutter fires. This
is called "mirror blackout," and is caused by the
mirror moving out of the way so that the shutter can open and
let light in. If you are panning a fast subject, or are trying
to maintain a good composition, the mirror blackout can at the
very least be a distraction, and even cause problems with continuous
shooting. On my D2x, with a tiny 80 millisecond mirror blackout,
this is not a problem at all. The D200 follows closely behind
with only 105 milliseconds. You'll have no problems panning
with this camera!
Since
the image capture rate of the D200 is 5-frames per second,
one can be assured of getting good shots at all points of
the action sequence. This is very fast, so, it's best to use
higher-speed image storage cards. You are limited to 54 Large
Normal JPEG images in a single burst. At higher resolutions
one can take 37 Large Fine JPEGs or 22 NEF RAW shots before
the camera buffer is full. If you have a fast CF card, such
as a Lexar 80x or Sandisk Extreme III, you can take smaller
bursts continuously. The camera will be transferring images
while you are shooting 6 or 8 shots. If you time this carefully,
you can shoot these small bursts without stopping.
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