D80 or D200

[Boondox]

My wife has been borrowing my D1x so much I decided to get a DSLR for her. Since we have so many AF-D lenses I stuck with Nikon, and considering her style (basically an enthusiastic amateur who is also pretty good at PhotoShop) I settled on a D80 and an SB-800 SpeedLight. She'll probably take my 24-120 and my 70-300, which is fine by me. But I came home and wrapped everything up for Christmas...and found her checking out the D200 online!

So now I'm wondering if I should trade up to the D200. I think the D80 is fine for her, especially since it seems to be a friendlier point and shoot sort if she gets lazy. And my policy with digitals has always been to get the best lenses since they'll be top notch forever, while the DLSR technology will advance so fast the camera will be old news in a few years.

What would the collective wisdom of the forum do?

Semper fi!
Gunner B

[TNB]

To me one camera "feels" much different from the other--for starters, which camera do you believe she will prefer holding?

[Boondox]

TNB -- Great point! She has really small hands so the D80 is my bet, but the D200 does have a different feel and a lot fewer menu-driven controls. I'll let her unwrap the D80...then visit the camera store so she can handle the other.

Gunner B

[jcon]

The D200 is the next body that I will be buying unless a newer model comes out before then, So I would say the D200 over the D80, but the "fit" suggestion does hold alot of water!

[wh0128]

Agreed with everyone that has already posted. Someone that has small hands probably won't be comfortable using a larger camera. I'm sure the D80 is probably alot user friendly, as I've read the D200 can be somewhat intimidating for some folks. I think she will love whatever you give her, and it really is the thought that counts...right?

And even though she may be looking at a D200, it doesn't mean she will want that camera right now. I mean in the sense that I look at D2x's and D2xs's all the time, for one they are what I want to beable to achieve in my photography hobby/future career. I also browse other models as well such as the D200 and even the D2H. So I'm sure she'll like it no matter what.

[corndog]

I used to think that buying a D80 over a D200 was a no brainer...the extra features of the D200 arent worth the extra money to me. But, I now believe that the D200 is worth it just for the extra weatherproofing.

[Ray Schnoor]

I used to think that buying a D80 over a D200 was a no brainer...the extra features of the D200 arent worth the extra money to me. But, I now believe that the D200 is worth it just for the extra weatherproofing.
How often are you planning to take advantage of the weatherproofing on the D200? I have taken my D70 out in a light rain and skiing several times and it still works fine. I can't imagine what kind of weather you would have to be in to take full advantage of the weatherproofing. Add to that the fact that if you don't have a pro-grade weatherproof lens attatched to your camera you would be negating the weatherproof capabilities of your camera. At least partially.

To me, the main advantage of the D200 would be the ability to meter with non-CPU lenses if you have them, since I don't think many people are going to go out and buy non-CPU lenses if they don't already have them. Maybe the faster frame rate, too. To me, the D80 looks like a hell of a camera, though.

[tcadwall]

There is a lot of "growth" that the D200 will allow. When I look at the growth that I want to make with my shooting, it becomes obvious to me that even though the 2 cameras share a lot, the D200 has some definitive features that allow more "growth" for the learning, and more "can't get by without this" features for the more experienced.

[wh0128]

tcad wells right, the d200 seems like its more for someone that wants to really grow and continue growing in the area of photography, and by the time you master all the features, you'll have had it a little while and then you can spend your time taking as many shots as you wish. And plus, I don't think the D200 has the "dummy" modes that the D80 has, which makes it more for the experienced photographer.

[tcadwall]

Well... Figured I would point out a few of the things that are more important to me... But not important enough YET to jump on the D200.

5fps-vs-3fps (related to 4channel vs 2channel ccd output I believe)
CF-vs-SD (my pref. is because of my fat fingers)
Shutter Lag 50ms-vs-80ms
More Autofocus and Metering Capability and AF Compatibility (D80 has reduced functionality)
3 WB custom values (Good for if you are presetting shots at weddings, or different studio-type lighting)
4 banks of custom settings
10-pin controller option
Optional WT-3a (could be a very huge boost to my business workflow)
oh yeah - mirror lockup might be an issue - it seems to work differently, not sure if it is better

Negatives, if you use them - no scene modes. Don't think the ML-L3 works with it so more expensive remote releases required.

[TNB]

Maybe the faster frame rate, too. To me, the D80 looks like a hell of a camera, though.
For starters, here are a few reasons I chose the D200 over the D80:

-The feel of the D200 camera itself (though I also own a D50),
-Faster Frame Rate, and
-The sensor "is" and not is "based on" (whatever that really means in the D80 literature).

I also felt that I no longer needed to use pre-set scene modes offered with something like the D80 (though the D200 has four different camera "banks" that can be set up) and I didn't really need what appears to be more incamera processing (D80).


3 WB custom values (Good for if you are presetting shots at weddings, or different studio-type lighting)
The D200 has more than three--it starts with 0. I was recently trying them out when I was attempting to figure out my new Expodisc.

Currently, there is also a $100 "instant savings" on the D200 at participating dealers.
http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25235

[eduardofrances]

It is x-mas spending a little bit more than what you had thought it is worthy for your loved one :).

Your wife is used to the weight of a D1X so the weigth of the D200 is not a problem, If I understand correctly she is used to shot in Manual mode, well the D200 has a real difference in the customization you can do in the camera when compared to the D80, also the D200 has the program mode which is 10x better than any shitty vari-program/auto scene mode, and she can use it when she is lazy so no problem there, besides she is used the the D1X which doesn't sports any crappy dummy mode only P mode, also allowing your beloved to not be babysitting as much the camera with a weather sealed one is nice, and she will appreciate the magnesium alloy body....

Also in if technology is advancing fast let her have a good reliable camera that will be with her a lot of time, the shutter life on the D200 is rated as 100,000 aprox while the d80 is half of this.

If she was watching the D200 then she must really like it :) if not she can exchange it for a D80 if she wants :)... I don't see a problem there ;)!