Nikon D200 Just Died - now what

<p>I would suggest to go with Nikon D5000 Or Nikon D7000</p>

 

<p id="internal-source-marker_0.7371909320354462">The information I share comes in part from personal experience and in part from reading reviews and information all over the web - not because I'm some pro photographer.<br>

<strong>Nikon D5000</strong><br>

<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/nikon-d5000-12-3-mp-digital-slr-camera">Nikon D5000</a> is a Great Camera. If you are new to the DSLR game (like myself) or you are upgrading and you can fork up the cash, it is definitely worth it. It has a very concise, simple, and easy to use interface, the buttons are very well placed, and the swivel LCD is very nice and useful in certain situations <br>

My main purpose for this camera is still photos so the video is a cool bonus and is surprisingly better than I thought (though if you are looking to do serious HD video, I'd go for an HD camcorder or something else instead).</p>

 

 

<p id="internal-source-marker_0.7371909320354462"><strong>Nikon D7000</strong><br>

<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/nikon-d7000-dslr-review">Nikon D7000</a> camera is brilliant to hold and use.</p>

 

<p id="internal-source-marker_0.7371909320354462">It has 100% view finder! Big bright with 100% coverage. No more guessing of your framing. (It is not as bright as the D700. However, it is 100% vice 95%) Or 016-Segment RGB Meter- for spot on exposure and white balance--No one touches Nikon on this and this one is fantastic.<br>

Nikon D7000 camera contains a ton of built-in settings : in addition to the basics like Standard, Normal, Landscape, etc, you also get all the various Scene modes, which are basically variations on those main settings. RAW processing allows you to see how the shot would have looked had you used one of those other modes. </p>

 

 

<p>Get a D7000, image quality is first rate. You won't regret it.</p>

<p>Thanks all. I'm going to check out the D300 and 7000 this weekend. Much of it will be based on how it "feels" as if I don't like how the camera operates, I won't want to use it... I'm not overly harsh on my cameras (my D200 looks new), but I appreciate the feeling when I am out in the field that the camera can withstand a little dust/moisture and banging if it happens. I read that the D7000 is pretty well constructed (not flimsy plastic like I remember the D40 and the like), so hopefully I will like it.</p>

<p>The D7000 is very well constructed but it is definitely smaller than the D300, and the button layout is different. However, both 100% viewfinders are good and both have a high-quality 3" back LCD; once you get used to that 3" LCD, the one on the D200 will look tiny and uncomfortable.</p>

<p>BTW, I assume we are talking about the D300S instead of the original D300, which was discontinued a year and half ago when the D300S was introduced. Both the D300S and D7000 use dual memory cards (CF + SD on the D300S and 2 SD on the D7000). Both have video capture but the D7000's video capability is much better. The original D300 has none of those features.</p><div></div>

<p>David,<br>

I wonder how many pictures you took with your D200.<br>

Try this link with one of the lates pictures you took and if you don't mind, let us know the result.<br>

<a href="http://regex.info/exif.cgi">http://regex.info/exif.cgi</a></p>

 

<p>Didn't know you could check how many pics you have taken. I will do so out of curiosity. Shun - thanks for the pictures - the D7000 really is noticeably smaller. I have smaller hands; maybe the D7000 will feel right - though the focus toggle button and the righthand grip area seem low and small, respectively.<br>

I could care less about video capability; so for me that is not a selling point. I also need to see how the D7000 feels with some of my heavier lenses.</p>

<p>You seemed to really have no complaints about D200. I'd pick up a nice used D300 (non s). You'll get a fantastic upgrade, and you can spend the difference on a crazy adventure in Costa Rica!</p>

<p>I have to agree with Peter, if you like the D200 you will love the D300/s cameras,I just got another used D300 in mint cond with 8k clicks at a great price. I don't go above ISO 400 sometime 800,if you use the lower ISO's I don't think that your going to see a big difference in IQ going from 12 to 16mp at lower ISO's,but over 800 you will see the noise with the D300.</p>

<p>It looks like the OP hasn't used any newer DSLR since he got his D200. If he has a chance to use newer cameras, he might easily change his mind. For example, I also have a D200 and a D2X, and it is hard to go back to those small LCDs on the back as well as poor high-ISO results now.</p>

<p>If one can afford the $1200 D7000, I don't think it is a good idea to get even a used D300 now; it is 4-year-old technology and the D7000 is much better in many ways. Once you get familiar with the workflow of using live view, pressing one button to switch on live view is far more convenient. The D7000 is also quiet, has dual memory cards and has newer battery technology. I have little doubt that the EN-EL15 will be the standard battery for the upper consumer and prosumer Nikon DSLRs in the next few years. The EN-EL3 family has exposed electronic contacts and Nikon is phasing them out.</p>

<p>But if you don't like smaller cameras or you need to shoot 8 frame/sec with a deep RAW buffer, the D7000 will not cut it.</p>

<p>I agree with Shun,if you need a new camera ASAP go D7000.</p>

<p>If you like the D200 and budget is an issue (as it is for most of us) I recommend looking for a gently used D300. I have been seeing them locally (Maryland area) $850 to $1000 with under 13K cycles. I just picked one up that looks like new, box and everything for $800 with ~8K cycles. Yes, I saw the original sales receipt. <em>Ok, I'll stop bragging.</em> <br>

I had strongly thought about a D7000 or D300s but I wasn't that interested in video and it didn't seem like the tech advances were not worth another $400 to me, which also saved me from my wife whacking me over the head with a rolling pin. For others it may be worth the price (for the video and tech advances I mean).<br>

Stan</p>