D40 vs D200

jksecunda

New member
I am new to this forum, and will probably be back to read and catch up on nikon cameras. I have a D40 and it is very good for family pics and vacations. But, I have heard a lot about the D200 and wonder if that camera is that much better than a D40. I would like to know if someone thinks its really worth it to get a D200 body, or just stay with the D40.

Is it that much better?

Thanks
​Jeff
 

jksecunda

New member
Profile done. I have read many reviews about the D40 and D200 but am curious about someones personal opinion about the two cameras. Like I said, I have the D40, and wonder if the D200 is that much better.

​Thanks
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Profile done. I have read many reviews about the D40 and D200 but am curious about someones personal opinion about the two cameras. Like I said, I have the D40, and wonder if the D200 is that much better.

​Thanks

It is much better but both models are outdated and have long been replaced. The D200 replacement is the D300 and the D40 would be the D3200. The newer models have much more to offer. Fotojack will probably jump in to say differently.
 

jksecunda

New member
Magic words. Opinion or Ken Rockwell?

I just want to know what I can buy that is 700 or less and is better than the D40. I bought it at the time cause of the weight, or lack of. Its not bad to carry around for a couple of hours while on vacation. The D200, although old model, I read is very good.
 
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Magic words. Opinion or Ken Rockwell?

You will not find many Ken Rockwell fans here. He tends to post for one reason only and that is money. Basic info he has can be gotten from the Nikon site and his opinion.... Well, take it with a grain of salt. Between the two cameras you are asking about Marcel hit is pretty much on the head. They are both outdated at this time and there are newer cameras out there that are much better and probably cost less. Look at the D3200, D5100 or D5200 or even the D7000. All great cameras.
 

Mark F

Senior Member
Magic words. Opinion or Ken Rockwell?

I just want to know what I can buy that is 700 or less and is better than the D40. I bought it at the time cause of the weight, or lack of. Its not bad to carry around for a couple of hours while on vacation. The D200, although old model, I read is very good.

Personally, I'd say get a d3100 or d5100 body and use the lenses you have used with the d40. That said... what needs to be known is what you do with the pictures you take? Upload to the internet, print? What size print? 8X10 5X7... etc.
If you don't print that often or large size... I'd stay with the d40. If its getting outgrown and you need a better camera... decide on getting something for 700 that will last you a long time. That would be a d3100, d3200, d5100, or d5200 body only.
The d200 was a good camera but I think you'd be better off with something with a little newer technology
 

carguy

Senior Member
You will not find many Ken Rockwell fans here. He tends to post for one reason only and that is money. Basic info he has can be gotten from the Nikon site and his opinion.... Well, take it with a grain of salt. Between the two cameras you are asking about Marcel hit is pretty much on the head. They are both outdated at this time and there are newer cameras out there that are much better and probably cost less. Look at the D3200, D5100 or D5200 or even the D7000. All great cameras.

Yep, Ken Rockwell is a master of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), nothing wrong with using the web to make a buck while sharing information people are looking for.

I agree about the models listed above, look at these and you'll be happy with your selection. What type of pictures do you usually shoot?
 

fotojack

Senior Member
I have both, and yes, there is a BIG difference between the D40 and the D200. Even though I have a D300, I still use both of the other cameras for different reasons.

If you're looking to buy a D200.....congratulations! Even though it's discontinued and considered 'obsolete', it's still an amazing camera. If it's got less than 10,000 shutter actuations, I'd say buy it. I can even send you a Setup Guide to set up the 4 shooting banks that are available in this camera. This camera does not have video capabilities like some of the newer Nikon models, so know this going in. I personally don't care for videos, so it was never an issue for me. So....buying one, you shouldn't have to pay more than $500 for a D200. I've even seen some going for around $400 Cdn.
One thing I can positively tell you......you will NEVER be sorry you bought a D200! Let me know when you get it.....and happy shooting! :)
 

jksecunda

New member
I take family pictures and scenery and vacation. This weekend Im taking some family pics of my son's family outside in the fall colors. I have an SB-400 flash for fill, and i really like the 18-200 that I bought years ago. But for what they want I will probably use the 18-55 lens. They have had pics taken in the past and I did not like the way they seemed to have more scenery than family. I have taken a couple of classes in photography and used to take weddings back in the 80's. Not into that anymore. The only reason I mentioned KR is that he said the D200 has great default settings right from the get go. No fiddling with exposure settings or bracketing. I guess I only wanted to know if I should stay with the D40 or upgrade to something else.
Thanks for your input.
​Jeff
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Before suggesting you upgrade your gear, let me ask you... How do you shoot now and how do you plan to shoot in the future? Do you set your camera on full Auto and not want to play around with settings and such? If that's more your style I'd say stick with the D40 and save yourself a few bucks. If you really want a better camera and you're willing to spend some time learning how to use it, I would say the D3200 is good move that nets you some pretty significant, across the board upgrades, all without breaking the bank.

If you *really* want to take it up a logical notch I'd suggest the D5200; but these latter two suggestions assume you're going to get away from full Auto and really learn to pilot your camera. Not everyone wants to do that.

......
 

jksecunda

New member
I dont use AUTO on the D40 now. Usually program or shutter setting. The reason is that the camera default setting of exposure is to light. I stop it down .7 or 1 stop. other than that, I don't know much about white balance or the other settings that are on the camera. I took pictures for years with a film camera and exposure was about the only setting you had. Set shutter or f stop. Now there are so many decisions to make I just want something that will work fine when I pick it up. KR wrote about the D200 having perfect exposure on the default setting. I enjoy going out and looking for great pictures. I often stop while driving down the road to get a pic of something that I think will look good. Sometimes that works, most of the time NOT. Take a hundred pics to get a couple good ones.

I dont really want to do a lot of setting the camera. I like to D40 for the weight. Great to carry around.

Thanks
​Jeff
 

Mark F

Senior Member
I dont use AUTO on the D40 now. Usually program or shutter setting. The reason is that the camera default setting of exposure is to light. I stop it down .7 or 1 stop. other than that, I don't know much about white balance or the other settings that are on the camera. I took pictures for years with a film camera and exposure was about the only setting you had. Set shutter or f stop. Now there are so many decisions to make I just want something that will work fine when I pick it up. KR wrote about the D200 having perfect exposure on the default setting. I enjoy going out and looking for great pictures. I often stop while driving down the road to get a pic of something that I think will look good. Sometimes that works, most of the time NOT. Take a hundred pics to get a couple good ones.

I dont really want to do a lot of setting the camera. I like to D40 for the weight. Great to carry around.

Thanks
​Jeff

In that case... I would go for a d5100 or d5200 or d3200.
KR also said the D40 was the greatest camera ever made... And, it is a great little camera. I had one. 1/500 sec flash was great for fill. But I really think you would be happier with a newer camera than the d200. What I can suggest is go to a camera store if you have one in your area.. pick up some newer camera bodies and get a feel for them. Compare those with what you have now. I think you would be amazed. Then pick up a d300s body if they have one. Feel the weight. Its more substantial and about the same as a d200. Then you can make an intelligent choice based on how those camera bodies feel and take photos.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
 
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Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I dont use AUTO on the D40 now. Usually program or shutter setting. The reason is that the camera default setting of exposure is to light. I stop it down .7 or 1 stop. other than that, I don't know much about white balance or the other settings that are on the camera. I took pictures for years with a film camera and exposure was about the only setting you had. Set shutter or f stop. Now there are so many decisions to make I just want something that will work fine when I pick it up. KR wrote about the D200 having perfect exposure on the default setting. I enjoy going out and looking for great pictures. I often stop while driving down the road to get a pic of something that I think will look good. Sometimes that works, most of the time NOT. Take a hundred pics to get a couple good ones.

I dont really want to do a lot of setting the camera. I like to D40 for the weight. Great to carry around.

Thanks
​Jeff
Well if your D40 is overexposing, consistently, by a full stop (and .7 is still close enough) then I'd say your camera needs repair. My first Nikon was a D40 and while I certainly can't echo the sentiment of it being, "the greatest camera ever made" mine was a dandy little shooter and I don't recall having any such exposure issues. This being the case, the cheap route might be having a local repair shop look into correcting whatever ails your D40, cause that ain't right.

If you decide to just chuck the '40 I stand by my suggestions for the '3200 (probably the best bang for your buck) and the 5200 if you decide you want to get serious. Good luck with whatever you decide... You have some good options to consider!

.....
 
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