azn137 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>If my post isn't in the right section, mods please move it to the right one.<br /> <br /> Before I ask my question, there are 2 things I want to say:<br /> 1) I lost my old D80+Sigma 105mm macro due to carelessness. Right now, I only have the nifty fifty and the kit lens 18-135mm from the lost D80 (plus some other junk).<br /> 2) Bestbuy is having their D200 on sale for $600.<br /> <br /> Now, I was able to come up with some cash, around $800. My question is, should I go with the D200, or the D90?<br /> <br /> D200: I think it's a really good deal for a body. I could use the leftover budget to obtain some glass, i.e. the new Sigma 10-20 f3.5 :) Needless to say, I need to hurry up and get the deal.<br /> D90: I think it's nice, with the new Expeed algorithm (adopted from D300), the 2MP extra, and the low light capability of the new CMOS sensor (ISO 200-3200). I'm not into the whole "high def video recording" thing, but I guess it doesn't hurt. Plus, the LCD is now bigger and provides richer colors (not really important either). The best price I found was around $800 body only. This, will leave me with the 2 lens I have for a while, as I have no leftover budget.<br /> <br /> I'm looking for you guys' opinions: if you guys have experienced with both models, please give me your thoughts. Otherwise, since I have a dilemma, I'm much open to your "what-would-you-do" response.<br /> <br /> Thanks.<br /> <br /> Tam.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymond_petty1 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>I shoot a D200 and am quite happy with it, but if you were happy with your D80, then why not go for the D90? Essentially the same body with the D200's AF system (which is noticeably better than the D80, but not up to the D300 level in low light) and the D300's imaging sensor. The D200 gives you a clean 800 ISO and the D300/D90 give you a clean 1600 ISO out of the camera. That's a big difference that seems worth $200 to me (along with the additional newer technology you'll get over the now quite long in the tooth D200).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andreas_manessinger Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 If you don't need the rugged body more than anything else - and that does not seem to be the case, otherwise you would not have had the D80 - go for the D90!!! <p> You get the image quality, the display and the speed of the D300 in a body that you're used to. No question at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorish Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>Guess my experiences with the D80 and D200 were atypical, I bought my D200 secondhand, and my girlfriend got the D80, so for a while both of them were available to me.<br> The D200 felt much more reliable, sturdy, and ready for a long future with me, but I found myself going back to the D80 more and more, I consistently got better focusingresults (with the D200 I would often have misfocuses, no matter which lens I used) and lowlight shots (which I have a lot of, since I do lot's of theatrephotograpy) that were less noisy.<br> From all the stories and reviews, the D90 seems to be an improved D80, so my choice would be simple; D90 over D200. Especially since you were/are used to the size and weight of the D80; the D200 really weighs a lot more. I was actually looking for something bigger, since that fits my hands better, but if you weren't...<br> Good luck choosing (and I think you're lucky; IMO both choices won't be 'wrong', so it's not a bad situation to be in)!<br> Joris (currently shooting a D300, but still enjoying his gf's D80 every now and then ;) )</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossb Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>Weather sealing, lower price, robust contruction vs no weather sealing, higher price, plastic construction and superior sensor. A person that uses a tripod a lot might appreciate the ISO 100 of the D200 and a person that does not use a tripod and likes to crank up the ISO probably would appreciate the ISO 1600 of the D90. Does the D90 have a wider dynamic range then the D200? I do not know the answer to that but it would be an important consideration. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slopoki Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>The D90 has a faster frame rate, less noise at higher iso and live view compared to the D80. The D90 AF seems to work better then the D80 when tracking objects in low contrast backgrounds.<br> <a href="http://www.slopoki1.smugmug.com/">http://www.slopoki1.smugmug.com/</a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_roetman Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>I would go with the D90 body, personally. The D200 isn't that much of an upgrade over the D80 in image quality.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two23 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>I would probably choose a D90 over a D200, but it would depend ENTIRELY on what lenses I have (or didn't have) and what subjects I was shooting. You didn't mention that. The right answer might even be the new D5000 for you. What do you photo, what lenses do you already have, and what do you want a photo system to do for you?<br> Kent in SD</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stwrtertbsratbs5 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>I'd choose the D200 if most of my shooting was at low ISO (it's actually not, and that's why I sold my D200). Otherwise, go for the D90.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylynn Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>D90. You've used the D80 so you pretty much know what the D200 is - take the D80, make it faster with a better AF system and more robust body and able to fully use AI lenses. It's got a very similar sensor and most of the same electronics. It will not take better pictures in any measurable way but will be better to use in some circumstances.</p> <p>The D90 is more like your D80 in size, build and operation but with a newer sensor and newer electronics. There are conditions where it will let you get measurably better photos because of high ISO performance and better dynamic range handling. I find the color rendition better than the D80 as well, though I've never tried them side by side, and "Active D Lighting" is better than the previous generation in the D80. The megapixels aren't important but the sensor sensitivity is.</p> <p>Personally I'd take the D90. If you want to shoot sports, the D200 might be better.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsd230 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>If you need a rugged body you only have one choice the D200. The D90 probably would be a better choice because it is newer. I have owned the D200 for 2 years and was thinking about upgrading this year. I still really enjoy my D200 though. After 2 years of use it still looks brand new. It is without a doubt the best built camera I've owned. The D90 would be lighter since it is plastic versus metal on the D200. However once your used to the feel and weight of a D200/D300, plastic bodies feel like toys. I also like the heavier body to balance out bigger/heavier lenses. As far as image quality goes, I know my D200 still exceeds my ability.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>D90 for overall image quality, D200 for rugged build. Why not just get a D300 and get both?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric_arnold Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>that Best Buy deal is pretty sweet, but... the D200 isn't an upgrade from D80 in terms of IQ, just build, AF, FPS, and works with more older nikon lenses. given the choice myself, i'd probably go for the d90, unless you plan on shooting in daylight at base ISO a lot.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azn137 Posted May 3, 2009 Author Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>I did actually look into the D5000, but no, it does not interest me. No wireless flash commander, and no old lens compatibility. Just bunch of bells and whitles I don't need.<br /> <br /> I really don't mind the plastic body of the D80/90. I've never had any experience with either D200/D300, but I'm sure I will be fine, as I was happy with my old D80. Moreover, I don't plan on using low ISO a lot. I mostly do macro, and sometimes indoor, which always involve high ISO.<br /> <br /> Looks like you guys' opinions are leaning towards the D90. Thanks a bunch for your inputs. I'll wait for another week or two, hopefully the D90's price will kinda come down a little.<br /> <br /> Thanks again, Tam.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamting Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 <p>I have a D200 and I've shot with a friend's D90 for a day. Personally for me, I'd take the D200 because of 5fps, AF, and external body controls and I've learned to deal with noise in post.</p> <p>I'd recommend D90 for everyone else though.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcee Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>"Does the D90 have a wider dynamic range then the D200? I do not know the answer to that but it would be an important consideration. "</p> <p>The Nikon D90 has a considerably better dynamic range than the D200. In fact, it appears at the moment, to be the best APS-C camera available in terms of dynamic range.</p> <p>Here's two links that show the dynamic range (one from DxO Mark, the other from Imaging Resource (Imatest Result):</p> <p><a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Image-Quality-Database/Compare-cameras/(appareil1)/294%7C0/(appareil2)/203%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Nikon/(brand2)/Nikon">http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Image-Quality-Database/Compare-cameras/(appareil1)/294%7C0/(appareil2)/203%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Nikon/(brand2)/Nikon</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D90/D90IMATEST.HTM">http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D90/D90IMATEST.HTM</a></p> <p>Jim</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azn137 Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>Thank you for the URLs Jim :)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 <p>I would say the D200 is a slight upgrade from the D80 in terms of image quality. The D80 will clip highlights easily whereas the D200 will not. This is very significant to me.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 <p>James, the D300 beats the D90 in dynamic range according to dpreview. It achieves a stunning 9.2EV range (D200 max is 8.2EV, D90 max is 8.6EV)<br> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond90/page22.asp<br> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond300/page20.asp</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_roetman Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 <p>Just saw on dealmac.com that they are selling refurb D90's for $700.</p> <p>http://www.jr.com/nikon/pe/NKN_D90_hy_RB/?JRSource=linkshare&SiteID=NKa3hZyYoHA-NmYY3s6dWikOg00tyFIctQ</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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