Actually, Nikon D90 and Nikon D200 fall into different class. The D90 is mid level dSLR camera for amateur and enthusiast, on the other hand, D200 is for semi-pro and professional photographers. But because D90 is a new camera and D200 is an older camera, they almost have the same price. D90 has more new features. Let’s compare the cameras main specifications.
Nikon D90 advantages
- 1 stop better noise handling (better in low light)
- 2 extra megapixels (12 vs 10mp)
- Bigger lcd screen (3″ vs 2.5″ inches)
- Higher lcd resolution (960k vs 230k dots)
- Live view mode with face detection feature
- Movie recording capability
- smaller and lighter body
- use cheaper and smaller SD card instead of CF card
Movie recording in Nikon D90
Although live view and movie mode of D90 might be cool, but it is not perfect, for example, there is a “jello effect” when you move the camera quickly. The camera capture 24fps video means that it will be a little bit jaggy. Users can only record 5 minutes of movie in high definition and 20 minutes for other modes. Albeit its imperfections, it is still a fun feature to capture casual video clip for family friends or web. The nice thing about this video is you can use many kind of Nikon lenses to get a different effects. For example fish eye lens and fast lens. You can control depth of field to create a nice background blur that only can be achieved by expensive video equipments.
Nikon D200 advantages
- Magnesium alloy body, weather seal
- Slightly faster continuous speed (5 vs 4.5 fps)
- Better handling and control, able to change popular setting faster with dedicated switches and buttons
In conclusion
Nikon D90 is a camera that try to incorporate all with recent technology breakthroughs such as live view mode and movie recording capability. Nikon also improved its continuous shooting from D90 predecessors, D80, from 3fps to 4.5fps. Noise handling and maximum ISO is also increased by 1 stop (3200-6400). And finally the image resolution is increased by 2 megapixels.
The main and the only significant advantage of Nikon D200 over D90 is better quality body and better handling. So, if you like a better quality body and handling for example, primarily taking photos outdoor, taking sports picture, D200 might be a better deal because you have better continuous shooting and able to quickly change control of your camera. But for general purpose and low light condition, Nikon D90 is more than adequate with many new features you might like.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
The main Big advantage of D200 is it has NEF RAW without compress, And D90 All RAW files are comressed so if you hve 2 pixel extra over D200 also no use, it compress and image looses some details.
Why compare? I have one of each.
I am a manual-lens maniac and choose d200 for auto metering! (Y)
i like the nikons digital camera