D80 vs d200

lucien

Senior Member
I know this is a forum, and I can do online comparisons. Question is, I got a D50 recently and it's great for learning. If/when I upgrade, I'm leaning towards a D80 because of the price. The D90 is going at a 2x factor price wise nowadays. The only 2 bodies that are almost the same price-wise that I'm interested in are the ones in the title. I know the D200 is heavy duty lol. But it's a bit older tech wise than the D80, and for the $200 which would you choose? The D200 is a battery hog aka a con and the weight.

Thanks
 

AC016

Senior Member
I know this is a forum, and I can do online comparisons. Question is, I got a D50 recently and it's great for learning. If/when I upgrade, I'm leaning towards a D80 because of the price. The D90 is going at a 2x factor price wise nowadays. The only 2 bodies that are almost the same price-wise that I'm interested in are the ones in the title. I know the D200 is heavy duty lol. But it's a bit older tech wise than the D80, and for the $200 which would you choose? The D200 is a battery hog aka a con and the weight.

Thanks

Both will give you the same image quality. You decision will be based on functional differences. Read this: Nikon D80 vs. D200
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
I think D200 is an awesome camera......I alway lean towards pro or semi pro gear tho

I see them all the time in my LCS for short money often with OEM VG and spare batteries. For that matter I see D300's in my LCS often at reasonable prices with low clicks.

Suggest you keep a keen eye on all Toronto area LCS and make friends, let them know what you are looking for.

I may pick up a used D200 myself as it has the almost exact sensor as Sony A100 which is an all time favorite of mine......

Edit, D200 loves manual focus Ai and Ais glass and loves D glass as well.....super important to me and IMHO should be to you especially as it seems like budget is paramount.....
 
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lucien

Senior Member
thanks, hrstrat57 Isn't the 200 "heavy" and a battery hog? I'm not trying to be simplistic. And isn't it older tech wise? I'm a pro's and con's guy lol, ok to back that up it had to be because it's a pro cam given. Does the tech outweigh the cam for the same price? Body only? Grammar is out the door to me on forums. Sorry being sloppy

and thx ACO16
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
Battery life is no issue IMHO those are avail everywhere. I have 5 for my cameras. Picked up the last one on eBay for under $10.

Strong recco you source a local shop selling used Nikon gear. My shop has 90 day guarantee. The D200 with OEM VG I was looking at was priced at $250. Buying used stuff especially camera bodies can be a little scary if bought from a unknown seller with no promises.

pretty odd that I did not walk out with it but I am trying to build a streamlined reasonable kit this time. I had about 15 Sony/Minolta A mount lenses want a bit less GAS this time around.
 
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lucien

Senior Member
I'm in Canada, and a lot of your offers aren't avail. here and tarifs sorry, forgot the almighty buck. Free shipping etc. And picture wise in your experience which is better without any tweaking?
 
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lucien

Senior Member
Ok, for $20 diff. This is the best camera for my buck? It's older isn't it? Just kidding, remember I"m learning what/how many years will I get out of it? And isn't the tech old? I know you know all the bases but will there be room for me to grow and does it take better pics? And is it more adjustable? The iso is higher checked that, bu....................?

thanks,
 

lucien

Senior Member
AC016, Sorry to oversee your response. I'm going to have a look at the link you posted. Thx
can I call you AC? Or R2D2 and I wasn't joking your sig is too hard to remember. All good ;)

A little birdie told me not to take/study, mr. "you know who" because he has little birdies to feed" and I told him who doesn't now a days. Leaving that

but thx,
 
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Lovin Our Life

Senior Member
I've had both and chose to keep the D200. I preferred the feel and control layout of the 200 over the 80. I do miss being able to shoot for days one one battery with the 80, where as the 200 I need to have several batteries on hand. Not much of an issue now that it's my back up/secondary lens camera.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
New firmware corrected the battery usage issue. The latest firmware for the D200 is A: 2.01
B: 2.01

If the camera doesn't have these numbers, it needs to be updated. Firmware is downloadable from Nikon web site, free. Upgrading firmware (in any camera) must be followed to the letter!)

Like I keep telling Lucien...if it came to deciding which camera to go for...the D80 or the D200....it would be the D200 hands down! If it comes down to the age of the technology of both cameras, they're both "older" tech. However, in terms of body build quality, the D200 wins; magnesium vs plastic body of the D80, weather sealing of the D200, general camera heft and weight...not an issue. Come on...you're not holding it out at arms length 24 hours a day! It comes with a strap that hangs around your neck to take the weight off your arms when not in use. :)

It has a built in focus motor, allowing the use of non motorized lenses, therefor more options in lens selection:
The following lenses can be used with the D300 / D200:
comp.jpg



The D100, D80, D70, D70s or D50 have a standard "F" type Nikon lens mount, the same lens mount Nikon has used in practically every SLR we have ever made. Best performance and functionality will be achieved when "D" or "G" type CPU lenses ("G" lenses have no aperture ring and are marked as "G".) are used, but many other Nikon lenses and accessories can be used.
In general, any Nikon Autofocus lens will work fine on these cameras. Most older, manual focus, lenses can be mounted, but the camera's internal exposure meter will not work. For specific compatibility see the chart below:
D100_lenses.jpg




 

lucien

Senior Member
Thanks, I just wanted to throw the question out there. And to see the pros and cons. In the end I might wait and get the best bod for the job lol
 

lucien

Senior Member
should I check at the store if the firmware is updated when/before purchase? So D200 it is. You guys drive a hard bargain

Again Thx
 

lucien

Senior Member
Sorry Jack with the firmware update, what is the life span compared aka 100 shots and after = 200 shots?

or all day?:D

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE GLASS, in the end
point made and sold
 
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lucien

Senior Member
thank you, the 200 is a better camera overall. You guys know your stuff, the iso range is higher more pro camera aka room to grow for the same price and the firmware upgrade will fix the battery issues

to the mod, can you combine all of my last responses into one
thank you and good night
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
The number of shots you get on a battery depends on what resolution you set the camera to...Small, Medium or Large. The larger the resolution, the less shots. Using an 8GB card, well over 800. At Medium, it rises to over 1,500. Set to Small, it's over 3000 shots. I have mine set to Large, making cropping easier.

Using the on board flash a lot will deplete the battery faster, of course. Using your LCD screen constantly will also run down your battery.
The D200 is not a prosumer camera. Nikon U.S.A. classifies it as a pro level camera, albeit on the low end of the pro series.

The firmware is easy to check. Just go to the Setup Menu in the camera, press OK and it will tell you what Firmware is installed. There are two parts to the firmware...A: and B: The latest (and last) firmware that should be in the camera is 2.01 for both A: and B:
 
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hrstrat57

Senior Member
I actually was in my LCS yesterday and they had 2 D200's and a D80 under the glass! First time I ever handled a D80.

On handle alone there is no comparison. D200 = pro..... D80 light and flimsy in comparison.......

I prefer pro gear.....of course others may disagree. Ran out of cash or I would have walked out with a camera I didn't need!

:)

(still I strong chance I will own a D200)
 

lucien

Senior Member
thank you brothers/sisters. The issue is settled. The D200 is a lot of cam for the bucks nowadays All is well that ends well. My budget makes the call

night

My God, my responses weren't condensed. The cam I'm dealing with must me an oldie but a goodie. Aka a legend, in Nikon land
 
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