First DSLR: nikon d90 vs nikon d200

[LordSnailz]

Seeing some of the incredible pictures fellow atoter have posted, I'm thinking of taking the plunge and getting a DSLR.

I know, the first rule, is it's not the camera but the person behind that. I understand that and that pretty much you can't go wrong with any of the popular DSLR.

Still, I'm hoping some of the gurus here can chime in and suggest which of the two, d90 or d200 is better.


From what I understand the d90 is pro-consumer version, whereas the d200 is more on the professional end. This leads me to think the lens and mirrors are better on the d200 vs the d90, is that true?

Does the d200 come with autofocusing? Also, how's the liveview on the d90, does it function similar to your basic p&s cameras?

Does it matter that the d200 uses CF versus the d90 uses a more popular memory format, SD?

any suggestions is appreciated! thanks in adv

 

[jpeyton]

For me it boils down to one thing: image quality.

And the D90 is way better than the D200 (or any other crop camera) in that respect.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

First off, the D90 and D200 can use basically exactly the same lenses (minus a few really really old ones that the D200 can use better).

Both have autofocus. The liveview on the D90 is, in my limited experience with it, inferior to a PS camera.

The D90, in about 98% of all situations, will take a better image than a D200.

The D200 I believe, has a slightly faster continuous mode, good for sports.

The D90 has slightly more megapixels, good if you are printing big photos. Actually just looked this up, its hardly any difference at all.

The D200 has more weather sealing.

I would say for 99% of all users considering the D90 vs the D200, they should get the D90. Most of the people who "should" get the D200 really "should" get the D300.

Get the D90, you will love it, and it takes great "pro-quality" photos.

CF used to be larger and faster than SD, but not any longer.

 

[LordSnailz]

Thanks for the replies ... so even though the d200 is 'higher category' the image quality is much better in the d90? I'm asking because price-wise they are very similar, and the d200 has been out for a couple years already.

I don't need the extra bump in continuous mode, and I prob. won't benefit from the extra megapixels since I usually don't go for big print. So far the d90 sounds right for me, but keep the suggestions coming!

 

[996GT2]

I was a former D200 owner myself, so let me just give you some comparisons between the D200 and D90:

D90 uses a newer sensor (from the D300) and so is much better at high ISO than D200. Even the D80 is better at high ISO than the D200. This is perhaps the D200's main weakness

D90 is lighter and easier to carry, has a much better LCD screen.

D90 gets better battery life

D90 is slightly slower (4.5 vs 5 FPS)...but if you want speed in a crop sensor camera, an EOS 40/50D or D300 are the ones to go for.

D90 has movie mode

D90 has active D-Lighting and many other useful image controls that the D200 lacks

D200 is built better than the D90, but this does not affect the results you will get out of the camera image-wise

 

[soydios]

The D90 has a better sensor. The D200 has better everything else (body, controls, viewfinder, autofocus, shutter, weathersealing, etc.).

*EDIT: I forgot that yeah, the D90 has that 3.0" VGA(640x480) screen. It really is gorgeous.

Go for the D90. If you need the D200's professional features, then get a D300; it's more expensive but well worth it.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: LordSnailz
Thanks for the replies ... so even though the d200 is 'higher category' the image quality is much better in the d90? I'm asking because price-wise they are very similar, and the d200 has been out for a couple years already.

I don't need the extra bump in continuous mode, and I prob. won't benefit from the extra megapixels since I usually don't go for big print. So far the d90 sounds right for me, but keep the suggestions coming!

To be clear, the D90 has more megapixels.

Also, was was mentioned above, the D90 has a GREAT LCD screen that lets you see EXACTLY what you are shooting after you shoot it. Huge feature, at least for me.

Yes, the D90 is right for you

 

[LordSnailz]

yeah, the d300 is way too expensive to have just as a hobby ... I'll go for the d90 then.
Now to wait for a deal to come around ... but most likely I'll grab it off amazon since there's not tax on there.

Also, any suggestions on what lens to get if I just wanted to start with one?

 

[soydios]

The included 18-105mm VR is fine for general purpose.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: soydios
The included 18-105mm VR is fine for general purpose.

Agreed. The kit lens has pretty decent image quality and the zoom range is very versatile. You'd only need to upgrade if you wanted to shoot in very dark conditions without a tripod, need extreme wide angle, or need very fast aperture/AF for sports shooting.

 

[extra]

Get the D90 in this case, I would say. It's a bit better I think especially in higher isos. HOWEVER, you wouldn't be let down by a d200, if you find an absolute steal on one I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up!

 

[tdawg]

www.keh.com has some decent prices on used d200s, or any used digital bodies for that matter.