A camera of many considerations...

Everyone has very well documented the features and performance of the D200 beautifully, so hopefully I will not repeat too many observations here.

I own the Nikon D70s as well, and have a basic compliment of lenses. The 70mm to 300mm and the 18mm to 70mm, and lastly a 55mm prime lens of f1.8. The first 2 lenses of course being zooms.

My limited photographic skill and expertise shows with this camera, and that is a good thing. It forces me not to be careless in composition and exposure. Where my D70s has always been my grab the shot and go camera, the D200 just makes you take your time and get those beautiful moments clearly and with tonal interest. I did some night photography and was amazed with the D200's noise or lack of.

Though if I underexpose the noise is a bit objectionable. The street lights and cars passing by made an interesting collage of light and dark. During my Museum visits with the D200, the aircraft which I photographed had more detail and sense of realism than my D70s had, but amazingly the D70s was no slouch. I had the D70s along too and took matching shots with it, and the with the side by side it is close. The color balance to me looks better on the D200, but again it is not night and day. Edge detail, the D200 is better again too.

The more I take pictures with the D200, the more I am impressed with its' abilities and how much I still need to learn. But more shocking, how much of a value my D70s is because it still is a great performer.

The Creative Lighting System which employs wireless flash photography using multiple Speed lites is my favorite feature. Both my D70s and D200 are able to use their pop up flash unit along with a SB800 or SB600 flash units up to 3 I believe. This is the photographers dream come true. Lighting from 3 sources. Portrait takers delight. My D200 is the easiest going here vs. my D70s. I can use a combinations of different flash groups and channels where my D70s can only use one group and channel. Bad if someone else has a D70 or D70s and triggers my flash by mistake since all D70 and D70s use the same channel/group setup. With the D200 I can at least switch about and I am set.

Which lies the quandary. Why would you buy the D200 over the D70s or a D50 and even the more relevant D80??

Doesn't really make a ton of sense. Here are my reasons for having a D200. Build quality. The beefy Magnesium body and door seal combination is great because I shoot a lot in the desert for instance. Nice to know that dust will be more challenged getting inside. The rough and tumble I may put my camera through, the D200 can take some pretty good knocks, though I won't test that, at least not intentionally.

The last but to some maybe silly reason why I have the D200. It feels wonderful in my hands, and it has that D2x feel about it less the D2x's bulk. I considered a D2x but funds and its' size were a bit much even with big even for my big hands, my wallet is considerably smaller.

It just makes me feel wonderful using it because of its wonderful build quality, and its ergonomics are fantastic on top of that. I considered a Canon 5d of which I consider one of the best DSLR cameras you can buy for the bucks, but $3000.00 plus was not in the budget, but another camera that makes me feel good when I shoot. Once you start you really don't want to stop. Great cameras for me are that way.

The D200 I use with my big zoom and the optional MB-D200 battery pack that quickly installs and replaces the 1 Li-ion battery with the ability to use 2 Li-ion battery packs or 6 AA batteries in a pinch is nice and versatile but it can be a pain in the neck after a full day of shooting. Be sure to buy a nice comfy wide neck strap.

So like I said, this review isn't a real stats and figures review it is one of considerations. If you don't need that beefy build, buy the new D80 with most of the D200 features in a more affordable package. Even still get the D50 and with the money you save, buy better lenses. lenses are the key to great looking pictures. The technology changes, great lenses never do.

Another tidbit is that the D80 doesn't have that slightly soft focus the D200 and previous models share.
It is tack sharp. For better or worse, the D80 breaking ground there, and the noise from the D80 is less than a D200.

If you have a D2x and still need a second body or are rough with your gear, the D200 makes allot of sense. Otherwise Nikon like others in the tech world often makes products that at times compete with themselves. The D80 and the D200 are compelling examples. The D80 being the more sensible machine. Canon has the XTi and the 30D, and the reverse is true. Nikon is bringing to market still a less pricey camera, the D40, and I think they will sell well. Squarely against the Canon XT, Nikon may do it again, but this camera is NOT an alternative to the D200.

So all in all with all the places I have been and the pictures I took and yet to take. Is the D200 a great choice?? Yes and no, image quality says yes, Durable beyond most in this price range yes. Full feature set, and custom abilities are very impressive. Will take a Microdrive as well as Compact flash 1 and 2 types. All the lesser cost new Nikons are switching to SD and SDHC. So since I have a commitment to CF memory, yes on the D200.

No is the answer if this is your first Nikon DSLR, the D80 is that good. Sigh. The price reductions on the D70s and the D50 make the D200 even more less compelling for more people.
Buy better lenses, and save on the camera body technology.
All but the D40,D50 are part of the Nikon Creative Lighting system, so be careful if lighting is going to be a challenge at least consider a D70s.

Battery grip available on the D80 and the D200 only none on the 40,50,70s. Nikon missed this on I think. Toss up here.

Last words in my probably dubious value review is that Nikon and sometimes Canon has a knack for making great products and I think limiting their appeal by building on the expensive and giving to the cheap if you will. Not a bad thing because it allows more people to enjoy more while paying less. Just as the D2x was made, and the D200 was made from the D2x d.n.a. people bought more D200 cameras. Now with the D80 using the d.n.a. of the D200 less the beef Nikon does it again.

Best advice, have a D80 and a D200 side by side at the demo counter and play with them, and see which one you NEED. Though I suspect for some, the way the D200 is built NEED will turn into WANT. Happened to me, no regrets, but hoping to help others weigh the considerations. V.C.