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01/31/2007 09:23:24 AM · #1 |
here's my scenario:
i'm getting ready to upgrade the D50. i'm going to stay with nikon, so my choices are D80 or D200.
now, they've got a lot of similarities. however there are a few things that are important.
D80 -
newer camera and technology
10mp
plastic body (light, but not sand/dust proof)
2.5 fps burst rate
in camera editing (b&w, sepia, etc)
D200 -
older camera and technology
10mp
sealed alloy body (heavy, but weatherproof)
5 fps burst rate
those are the main points of interest to me.
i have a D50 which has sd cards and infra red remote that will work with the D80. D200 will require all new cards and remote won't work.
body is about $400 difference in price, but i'm prepared to pay the extra if the D200 is THAT much better than D80.
honestly, the D80 nudges the D200 due to price and value on my current equipment being able to be reused. the difference in price will go towards extra equipment.
but the D200 is a more professional camera.
see my dilemma???
opinions are welcome ...
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01/31/2007 09:28:08 AM · #2 |
| Both are fantasic cameras. The D80 has the same sensor and focusing sensor that the D200 has. Its lighter, but not nearly as tough as the D200. Like you said, you already have the SD cardsand the remote, if the camera feels good and will meet your needs go with the D80 and use the extra money for new lenses and other stuff. I couldn't work without my D200. I shoot in some very nasty weather, the D200 can stand up to it but I wouldn't dream of taking my D70 or a D80 out to shoot in most of the weather I shoot in. SO for me ITs a no brainer, but it all depends on what you are going to be using it for. |
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01/31/2007 09:28:47 AM · #3 |
D200 is not older technology, even if it was released before.
Buy a D200 and you will not not be thinking about the stuff you are missing. |
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01/31/2007 10:12:22 AM · #4 |
another difference is the size of the camera. The 200 is quite a bit bigger, Meaning the D-80 feels more like the D-50 than the D-200 when holding it. If you have small hands the D-80 could be the better choice.
edit. to add. I had the same issues you are having when I upgraded from the D50 to the 200. I wondered about the D80 for a long time but honestly after using the 200 for a few months and being able to compare the two cameras side by side when my neighbor bought his d80 I have absolutely no regrets about my choice, in fact I am glad 110% happy I bought the 200.
Message edited by author 2007-01-31 10:18:05.
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01/31/2007 10:18:06 AM · #5 |
I have the D200, and a friend who has the D80.
Hold them both, play with them at the camera store.
Once you "feel" the difference, you'll know which way to go.
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01/31/2007 10:18:29 AM · #6 |
Covered here earlier this month. To me its also a no brainer go for the D200. The D80 is a great camera, but advantages of the D200 over the D80 more than justfies the small price gap.
edit to add my take from the other post...
"The D200 is now only $400 more at B&H. The D200 has a metal frame compared to the D80's plastic one. It also weather sealed. One of the most important benefits is the 10-pin terminal, which enables more external accessories such as a wired remote, connecting a GPS, etc. The D200 has much better control layout and userbilty such as dedicated ISO, white balance, and quality buttons and has a 9 position rocker switch with center enter button (opposed to 4 with no center button). The information displayed in the finder and the top LCD is much more detailed. The D200 is faster with 1/8000 second top shutter speed (not that useful actually), a larger buffer and faster card write speed. The D200 has custom shooting banks that make changing from different shooting styles without going thru the menus.
But IMO the most important benefits of the D200 over the D80 are mirror lock up and Ai lens support. Those two features alone make the $400 difference a no brainer especially considering all the other stuff."
Message edited by author 2007-01-31 10:22:00. |
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01/31/2007 10:20:23 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Bugzeye:
another difference is the size of the camera. The 200 is quite a bit bigger, Meaning the D-80 feels more like the D-50 than the D-200 when holding it. If you have small hands the D-80 could be the better choice. |
On the other hand, the D200 is much easier to use if wearing gloves. |
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01/31/2007 10:29:28 AM · #8 |
thanks for the comments so far everyone.
i just found this: //www.bythom.com/currentdslr.htm
a technical comparison of ALL nikon dslr cameras. makes for interesting reading.
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01/31/2007 10:31:32 AM · #9 |
True.
I never wear gloves when shooting though I find it too hard to make last second adjustments. I guess it would be ok shooting in P mode.
No one here has pushed to hard in favor of the D-80 I think that alone should give the OP a good idea which camera is the better choice.
Originally posted by talmy:
Originally posted by Bugzeye:
another difference is the size of the camera. The 200 is quite a bit bigger, Meaning the D-80 feels more like the D-50 than the D-200 when holding it. If you have small hands the D-80 could be the better choice. |
On the other hand, the D200 is much easier to use if wearing gloves. |
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01/31/2007 10:44:25 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Bugzeye:
No one here has pushed to hard in favor of the D-80 I think that alone should give the OP a good idea which camera is the better choice.
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I'm not going to push for the D80 since I haven't used a D200 so I can't compare. What I will say is that when I upgraded from my D70 to the D80 it was like night and day. I love the D80's big view finder and big display. If money wasn't an issue, I would have gone with the D200 just because it has a few more features and a better build quality. But when it came down to making a choice, I decided on the D80 because I didn't need any of the features of the D200 that the D80 didn't have and hopefully build quality won't be as much of an issue for me since I don't typically go out in bad weather. |
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01/31/2007 03:40:50 PM · #11 |
I am planning on moving to a dSLR soon, and I will be going with Nikon. I can technically afford the D80 now, if I want the D200 I will still have to save up for quite a while. Is the D200 really worth still saving up for a few months (most likely at least 6)?
Also, I live in South Africa so I can't advantage of B&H's awesome prices. This is the cheapest place I can get them from, Pro Digital. Works out to about $2600 for the D200 and $1600 for the D80. |
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01/31/2007 03:45:16 PM · #12 |
Why do you think there's a need to upgrade from your d50? Does the d80 or d200 have the features that the d50 is lacking?
If the only answer is you want the more badass camera then the answer would be d200.
Message edited by author 2007-01-31 15:46:46. |
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01/31/2007 04:12:42 PM · #13 |
i really like the metering with old lenses
& if i was to choose again it still would be d200
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01/31/2007 04:19:57 PM · #14 |
IMO if you buy the D200 you will have no regrets. If you buy the D80 you might always have that little voice in your head saying what if I had just saved up a little longer and got the D200.
My guess is that you're asking because you already are hearing that voice ;) |
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02/01/2007 08:53:05 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by faidoi:
If the only answer is you want the more badass camera then the answer would be d200. |
i admit that there is a 'badass' factor involved. D200 has a lot more credibility than D50! LOL but there are real differences as well. 5 frames per second is double the D50.
there's a lot of benefits ... just a matter of D80 or D200.
i'd love the D200 ... but we're talking a big $$$$ difference! :)
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02/01/2007 11:27:17 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Megatherian:
IMO if you buy the D200 you will have no regrets. If you buy the D80 you might always have that little voice in your head saying what if I had just saved up a little longer and got the D200.
My guess is that you're asking because you already are hearing that voice ;) |
That's my problem. The D80 will work 100% for me, but the D200 is so much cooler :)
Will just have to see how much longer my willpower holds out... |
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02/01/2007 06:02:42 PM · #17 |
| The D50 is a good camera. I wouldn't upgrade it unless there's a feature you're missing. If you already have a D50, you'll get more benefit from better lenses than you will from a D80 or D200. |
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