Customer Rating: 
Summary: The perfect blend between price, performance, and features!
Comment: There are plenty of great reviews of this camera. I will try to quickly note the pros and cons below.
Pros:
- Value/Price: At the current price of $1699, this camera is a steal! It delivers near pro quality at a consumer price tag.
- Resolution: 10 MP is a lot of data. Enlargments at 20"x30" look superb from this camera, and even prints up to 40"x60" look pretty good. This delivers enough resolution for 95% or more of the potential buyers.
- Performance: 5 frames per second make this camera pretty fast. Add in the fact that color rendition is near perfect, and auto focus and metering are spot on. This camera performs similar to a pro SLR.
- Customer service: Nikon lenses come with a 5 year warranty, Canon lenses come with a 1 year warranty. Canon currently is experiencing serious quality control problems, even with their "L" glass (Think I'm kidding? Search the web for Canon lens quality control and see what you find). Nikon rarely has problems, but when they do they are very helpful. Instead "fixing" the problem at their repair facilities, they send you a new product, in most cases.
- User control/features: The D200 features a very large and bright LCD, and an intuitive menu. Every commonly used control has a button shortcut somewhere on the camera. The bright and detailed histograms won't dissapoint! The layout on this camera is simply perfect.
- Build: Very tough and durable, weather sealed as well. Feels like it will last forever.
Cons:
- Noise: Because of the chip design (different than the CMOS chips Canon uses) digital noise is a factor at high ISO's and long exposures. NIK Dfine is a photoshop software plug-in (one of many) that reduces noise without losing much or any sharpness/detail. Therefore, noise isn't a huge issue.
- Availability: As of now 6/22/06, there are not many of these in stock anywhere. Accesories are even harder to find, and the prices for many of D200 add-ons has jumped. Once supply cathces up with demand, this shouldn't be a problem.
- Wide angle: With a 1.5x crop, this camera doesn't work as well for wide angle photography. Nikon does offer a great 10.5mm fisheye and a 12-24mm lens, but those who already have a wide angle from before are going to be out of luck. Not a huge issue for some, and it makes up for it a bit by catering to the telephoto crowd.
In my opinion, the good outweighs the bad, by a landslide. I used to have a Canon 5D, but switched over to Nikon and bought this camera. The D200 offers a professionla build, with near pro performance, coupled with easy to use controls, and a lower price than comparable digital SLR's. This makes the D200 a clear winner in my book, not the best at anything in particular, but it does whatever you ask of it, and does it very well. This model truly bridges the gap between pro and consumer cameras.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: A Queston of Value
Comment: Very few people are going to give an accurate review of the new Nikon D200, but I'm going to try. I'm NOT going to review the D200 on its own. That's not realistic or representative of how shoppers will seek out this camera. At such a high price, most buyers will have experience with digital cameras and DSLRs and be matching the D200 against other models. This review examines the new Nikon in that regard. IF you are actually thinking of this as a FIRST DSLR, please STOP. This is most likely not a good 1st DSLR due to it's complexity and steep learning curve. Please consider a D50 or D70s or the Canon 350XT which are also in the hands of plenty of professionals.
All others please read on....
The Nikon D200 is fairly advanced DSLR which uses interchangeable lenses and works with the Nikon flash system to produce professional results. It has a lighting fast auto focus system, though this is augmented nicely by the additional SB 800 flash which increases AF accuracy even further. For 1699.00 you know this is a serious unit that can take amazing photos, but the real question that MOST people will ask is this:
Do I need this level of camera over the D70s or D50 which cost a thousand dollars less? The question can be answered quite simply. If you shoot action, such as sports or birds or any fast moving objects, the D200's speed can serve you well, bringing a higher success rate. For more typical shooting, such as family, portraits and scenic, the advantages are questionable.
Don't let the higher mega pixel rate fool you. Prints from these cameras look just about the same. The D200's higher resolution gives you more cropping ability, but the D70 or D50 are more than capable in this area as well. The D200's higher ISO abilities are quite limited and this has been a major disappointment for users who have been honest about it. The Nikon D50 is better in this regard, as is the D2Hs. This is a major stumble at this price point. Some users will claim good ISO, but it's not forgiving in the least.
The viewfinder of the D200 may be the single most improved area at this price point. It's both bright and sharp compared to less models. This is not something to be taken lightly. A bright viewfinder is key for proper composition.
Handling of the D200 is beyond excellent. Like all of Nikon's DSLRs, the D200 just gets it right in a way than Canon continues to miss. This is yet another reason why people buy Nikon as it seems to be designed by people who actually shoot. The D200 is a work of art in this regard.
Picture quality is excellent, but this is NOT a camera for beginners. Higher resolution also means less sharp results without proper hand held technique. The D200 also employs VERY mild in-camera sharpening and this should be done in post. This is the polar opposite of cameras like the D50 or Canon 350 which deliver good shots right out of the camera. The D200 was designed to deliver as RAW a file as possible and allow the photographer final say in the digital darkroom. Because of this the D200 requires a fairly modern and fast computer with Photoshop or some other powerful post software that can handle the large files.
So what you're paying for here is a professional camera with superior focusing and shooting speed. Picture quality is about on par with other DSLRs. While some folks will claim otherwise, ALL DSLRs take great pictures in experienced hands and you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. Pro's and enthusiasts buy more for handling than anything else. In that capacity the D200 does not disappoint.
Current Nikon owners take note! The higher resolution of the D200 may expose lower end optics. The D200 must be used with better glass to see it's potential. So we're talking about a serious investment here. I currently use a 18-200VR, 12-24, Tamron 90mm Macro, 70-200VR, 50mm 1.4 and so on. Add the flash, filters and so on all ad up. The cost of a DSLR and lens package can easily hit 5K and the D200 encourages you to spend more. This is not a camera to slap 200 dollar lenses onto.
In the end, with a D200 sitting next to my trusty D70, I can't say that the D200 takes better photos. What it does do is allow YOU to take better photos. If it had better ISO range it would be a 5 star camera. I've given it 3 stars because at this point Nikon should have matched Canon in this area. And by now Canon should have built a camera with proper handling. Choose your poison, folks, but I must question the value of the D200 for the high ticket price. I don't see 1000 dollars worth of advantage over a D70s. Not even close.
I feel that the Nikon D70s continues to be the best DSLR on the market for the money....but if money doesn't matter and you are an advanced shooter...buy the D2Xs for 4.5K and be done. I also see the D2Hs as a superior camera even with 4MP. And the D2Hs handles noise far better. Very experienced shooters don't need 200% cropping in most cases.
Does this all mean I don't like the D200? No, it's a great camera. It's just not a stunning value and should be priced at 1299.00 at the most.
Capt RB
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great camera, but not perfect.
Comment: This review compares D200 with D70(s) for those thinking to get one of these. I will not compare specs because that topic is readily available elsewheres. I'll give value, relative to D70(s), for each important different feature (based on my opinion and usage) so that you can see the relative values between the two cameras. Positive value means D200 is better.
1) Body construction: +$200
2) Max Frame rate: +$100
3) Max Flash Sync Speed: -$100
4) Mirror Lock Up: +$50
5) Remote Shutter Release: -$50
6) Time Interval Shooting: +$50
7) Focus Speed: +$100
8) Resolution: +$200
9) White Balance: +$150
10) Color: +$150
11) Moire: +$100
12) Banding: -$100
13) Noise: $0
14) MF Lens: +50
Adding all up: +$900. At current prices, D200 is about $1000 more that D70(s).
Compare to D70(s), the colors and white ballances of the images from D200 is much better. In general, the images from D200 are very good straight from the camera. However, post processing may be still needed to get the images you want. It is easier to get great images from D200 than from D70(s).
I have a few classic Nikon MF lenses. Though they are usable with D200 (with metering), manual focus is difficult because the viewfinder is not very bright (brighter than D70, but not as good as film camera).
D200 is a great camera. Nikon must spend a lot of time designing this camera, and they did a great job.
There are things that D200 can be improved:
1) Cut down noise at high ISO, especially in dark area
2) In addition to having mirror lockup and self timer separately, also have self timer with mirror lockup.
3) Better dynamic range
4) Brighter viewfinder
5) Eliminate banding completley (currently, short banding may still exists under special situation)
6) Have an external button to select image style (D200 called image optimization). For example, select between vivid (landscape), portrait, custom 1, custom 2, etc.
7) Have remote shutter release, like D70(s)
8) Improve battery life, like D70(s)
9) Improve flash sync speed, like D70(s)
10) Current AF of D200 is very good, however it can be improved to the same level as in D2X.
I know that the wish list above is a little much. But I believe and hope that Nikon do take our wishes into consideration when they design their next cameras. Even though it is expensive and not perfect, D200 may be the best camera for the money at this time.
Customer Rating:
Summary: So complicated a camera, that it deserves its own blog
Comment: Just a few days play with my brother-in-law's camera tells me everything I needed to know about this camera - that it produces images with better colour and tone than what I can get with my own D70. The ability to select the exact colour temperature, in addition to preset and fine-tuning white balance means I managed to get super-accurate colours. High Contrast setting on the D200 gives me exactly what I want, not like the artifical-looking skin tones from the D70 with the same setting. More Vivid means you really can get that Velvia-pop with landscapes, macros and nature photography. Do pay a visit to The Nikon D200 Infoblog to keep up with what current owners are achieving with this beauty of a camera!
Customer Rating:
Summary: You won't go Wrong!!
Comment: After I purchased a D70S last summer, Nikon introduced the D200 to the public in December. Getting the chance to handle one before purchase was like collecting hens teeth...My local camera store would sell every one that came in, and there was a massive waiting list. After putting my name on the waiting list, I finally lucked out at the end of April. Was I glad!! The camera is all that it's cracked up to be and then some. I purchased the optional battery pack with the camera body, and with this set up, it's difficult to tell the D200 from the more expensive D2X.
I was impressed with the D70S when it came out, and I enjoyed many hours of use with it. It's not a camera to sneeze at...But the D200 is in a whole other zip code in comparison.
If you're a Nikon digital fan, then the D200 will satisfy your digital itch sufficiently. However, even though it's not a difficult camera to get aquainted with, I believe the D70S or a D50 would be a better choice for those just breaking into the DSLR field from film. This is without a doubt a Pro class camera, and I look for sales of the D2X to fall because of it. Nikon has already started offering a $500 rebate on the D2X, which may indicate the publics reaction to this new piece. You just can't hardly find a D200 available...This should tell you something.
All I can say, it is worth the wait...no, it's not the best thing since sliced bread, but in comparison to what's on the market at this point in time, it is a great buy and will serve even the most picky among us.
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