Digital SLR Camera Nikon D200

A precision-crafted digital SLR blending 10.2 effective megapixel performance with impressively fast handling and improved usability for outstanding images.

Tokyo — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the D200. Combining newly developed Nikon technologies with advanced features, the D200 is a precision-engineered, high-performance digital SLR designed to satisfy the requirements of passionate and demanding photographers.

Employing a newly developed 10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor, and featuring Nikon's exclusive image processing engine and image optimizing functionality, the D200 captures images with sharp detail and faithful color to deliver extraordinary resolution that supports significant image enlargement while enabling greater freedom for creative cropping. This image sensor also incorporates high-speed 4-channel data output and features a new Optical Low Pass Filter, allowing photographers to benefit from a significant reduction in the incidence of moiré as well as color fringing and shifting. Furthermore, 4-channel output allows the D200 to adopt the advanced image-processing engine of the D2x that combines color-independent preconditioning prior to A/D conversion with advanced digital image processing algorithms to deliver fine color gradations with satisfyingly smooth, consistent transitions.

Equipped with Nikon’s exclusive 1,005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II the D200 seamlessly determines ideal exposures, even in complex lighting conditions. Capturing scene elements including brightness, contrast and color content with a 1,005-pixel RGB-enabled sensor, this advanced system employs improved algorithms for even better evaluation of large area highlight and shadow detail and an onboard database of over 30,000 images to evaluate rather than merely measure the true content of each scene.

Handling response is exceptional. In fact, with power-up in a mere 0.15 seconds, a remarkable shutter time lag of only 50 milliseconds and a shortened viewfinder blackout time of just 105 milliseconds, the D200 excels in the capture of fleeting or unexpected moments. Such factors also combine with high-speed continuous shooting capability at up to 5fps, with continuous bursts of up to an impressive 37 JPEG (Fine-large) images* or up to 22 shots* in NEF (RAW) format, making the D200 a perfect fit for discriminating photographers and a natural choice for wedding, event and action specialists

For accurate autofocus across a more diverse range of compositions, the D200 features a new and highly accurate 11-area AF system in addition to 7-wide area AF – both of which are based on Nikon's advanced Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module. Not only does this AF system support the photographer with fast and precise auto focus under a variety of shooting conditions, but it also offers a pleasing array of functions for greater flexibility – allowing an individual area to be selected from either the 11-area AF or 7-wide area AF sensors for Single AF or making use of multiple sensors to enable Dynamic AF, Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF and Group Dynamic AF.

Complementing its excellent handling, the D200 has been created with a magnesium alloy chassis that combines light weight with high-level durability. In addition to this, it also features an enhanced sealing system that helps protect exterior seams from potentially damaging moisture and dust. The D200 also features a large and bright viewfinder offering large 0.94x magnification to ensure the clearest view possible for precise composition as well as built-in diopter adjustment that allows the camera to be calibrated to the photographer’s personal vision.

Viewing excellence is taken further with an expansive 2.5-inch high-resolution LCD that provides an ultra-wide 170° viewing angle from all directions. It also offers the ability to magnify images by up to 400% to enable photographers to closely inspect images for fine details while offering a selectable RGB histogram display, which allows photographers to make better-informed exposure decisions through the viewing of a composite RGB histogram, or a separate histogram for each individual color channel. The D200 also features the largest top LCD panel among cameras in its class to convey maximum information at a glance with easy access to shooting data including shooting mode, battery condition, card information, gridline display, shutter speed, F stop and number of remaining shots.

Offering the same flexible workflow advantages as professional Nikon digital SLRs, the D200 offers the photographer the option to shoot in their choice of memory-efficient JPEG format, in the NEF (RAW) format or even in both simultaneously – allowing photographers to select the image best suited to the purpose at hand or make use of the myriad advantages born of the fact that NEF (RAW) comprises not only the RAW image data captured by the 10.2 effective megapixel image sensor but also a thumbnail image and a highly useful "Instruction Set" of the cameras settings at the time of shooting.

Adding exceptionally versatility after the fact, NEF allows each and every element of the Instruction Set data – such as white balance, color balance and tone curves and more – to be reset for each recorded image at any time after shooting through the use of Nikon Capture software (available for purchase separately). Use of Nikon Capture also allows NEF to preserve a record of the original settings even after the saving of a new version, making it easy to return to the original results in just a few clicks. To be introduced in the form of Version 4.4, Nikon Capture enables a flexible, stable and creative workflow approach for any photographer in both professional and personal use through Nikon’s unique approach referred to as “Camera to NEF to Capture” performance.

Like all Nikon SLR cameras, the D200 also offers all the advantages of compatibility with Nikon’s superior and comprehensive Total Imaging System. High image quality is assured through compatibility with over 50 outstanding AF Nikkor lenses, including Nikon’s DX Nikkor lenses engineered exclusively for use with Nikon digital SLRs and an extensive array of AF Nikkors designed for use on digital and 35mm SLRs. And expanding the Total Imaging System further, the D200s offers compatibility with the Nikon Creative Lighting System, enabling high-precision flash photography with SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights to offer benefits such as i-TTL flash control, Advanced Wireless Lighting, highly reliable FV Lock and Auto FP High-Speed Sync. Nikon’s Total Imaging System also allows the photographer to benefit from the use of Nikon’s digital-exclusive DX Nikkor lenses as well as those from Nikon’s 35mm/digital compatible AF Nikkor System.

The latest version of Nikon’s PictureProject software (included) enables easy image editing, organization and sharing as well as the design of multi-image album pages, the creation of slideshows and much more to push photographic enjoyment even further. Nikon’s image processing software, Nikon Capture 4 (Ver. 4.4) (available for purchase separately) allows photographers to reprocess and refine images or even initiate processing settings as an alternative to those made by the camera, and it also accepts a diverse range of optional plug-in software, such as the nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 range of filters and effects.

Taking freedom and versatility even further, the D200 is compatible with the Wireless Transmitter WT-3* (available Spring, 2006), which delivers IEEE802.11b/g compatibility to enable cable-free image transfer to a compatible computer with the added assurance of wide-ranging network and security protocols. For additional convenience, the Wireless Transmitter WT-3 provides alternative buttons for shutter release and AF start as well as an extra command dial to facilitate more comfortable shooting in vertical format.

Major features

Exceptional imaging performance

• Newly developed 10.2 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor with the power to capture exceptional sharpness and faithful color at 3,872 x 2,592 pixels size. Incorporates high-speed 4-channel data output that contributes to 5fps continuous shooting performance and employs a newly developed Optical Low Pass Filter that helps prevent moiré, color fringing and shifting while improving resolving power.
• Adopts the industry-leading advanced imaging processing engine of the D2x, which allows color-independent pre-conditioning prior to A/D conversion to work in symphony with advanced digital image processing algorithms to achieve fine color gradations with exceptionally smooth, consistent transitions.
• Newly developed 11-area AF system packs the same number of focus areas available for the professional D2 series into a space-efficient system, with the photographer able to select individual focus areas from 11-area wide and 7 wide-area AF for Single Area AF, Dynamic AF that delivers precise Continuous servo AF mode operation for moving subjects, Closest Subject Priority Dynamic AF and also Group Dynamic AF. All such AF options are supported by refined lens-controlling algorithms that realize improved focus precision, better subject acquisition capability, keener subject tracking ability and overall improved system response.
• 3D Color Matrix Metering II (AE) – as used in the D2x – delivers optimized exposure through the use of new technology developed for the Nikon 1,005-pixel RGB exposure/Color Matrix Metering Sensor. Evaluating brightness, color, contrast, selected focus area and camera-to-subject distance, this system references all such data against an expanded onboard database that has been created using data from more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes to instantly and accurately calculate the final value with high-level dependability during both automatic and manual operation. Also offers variable size center-weighted metering which concentrates 75% of sensitivity within the center-weighted circle, as well as spot metering supporting each individual sensor of both the 7 wide-area AF and 11-area AF groups.
• New image optimization modes enable photographers to produce results more closely matching the intended results, with a range of choice comprising optimization of sharpening, tone (contrast), color, saturation, and hue, with choices from Normal, Softer, Vivid, More vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-white optimization.

Impressively high speed

• Near instant power-up of 0.15 seconds lets photographers respond to sudden opportunities.
• A mere 50-millisecond shutter time lag promotes fast handling, while 105-millisecond viewfinder blackout realizes assured control that’s especially useful during continuous shooting.
• Swift continuous shooting performance at 5 frames per second enables the shooting of up to 37 JPEG (Fine-Large) images* or up to 22 NEF (RAW) images*, with shutter speeds ranging from 1/8,000 of a second to 30 seconds.

Further versatility

• Multiple exposure enables up to 10 separate images to be used to create a single composite to produce imaginative and even surreal results.
• Image overlay function creates a composite image in-camera from two selected NEF (RAW) images. The original files remain unaltered, opacity can be precisely controlled and the resultant image can be saved in either RAW or JPEG format.
• Connection to a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit via an optionally available GPS Adapter Cord MC-35 enables the recording of data including latitude, longitude, elevation and UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) along with conventional shooting data for each image.
• A large 2.5-inch LCD monitor with a 170° viewing angle from every direction assists accurate assessment of sharpness by enabling image preview with up to 400% magnification. It also offers RGB information as a single display or separate histograms for each color channel to enable better exposure-related decision-making.
• The large top LCD panel makes it easy to read a wealth of data at a glance, such as shooting mode, battery condition, card information, gridline display, shutter speed, F stop and number of remaining shots.
• A new color-coded menu display features a color scheme that promotes easy viewing as well as the use of intuitive keywords that assist speedy navigation. There’s also a Recent Settings list that displays the last 14 settings selected from shooting and Custom menus and playback options include single frame, 4- or 9-image thumbnail display, zoom with scroll, histogram indication and highlight point display.
• A chassis crafted from magnesium alloy gives the D200 lightweight resilience, while an enhanced sealing system helps protect each and every exterior seam from potentially damaging dust and moisture.
• A double-bladed shutter unit tested to well over 100,000 cycles ensures highly reliable, highly durable performance. The shutter unit also employs a refined mirror balance mechanism that allows the mirror to complete its motion cycle and reach a complete stop with virtually no mirror bounce, providing the extended viewfinder visibility essential for fast, accurate focus tracking and continuous shooting.
• The newly developed high-energy EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers enough power to support the shooting of up to 1,800 images on a single charge, can be recharged at any time and features a handy real-time fuel gauge system display that shows remaining charge by percentage, number of shots since last charge and overall battery status.
  *Achieved under following test conditions:
  Fully charged EN-EL3e battery; temperature of 20°C/68°F; Zoom-Nikkor AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF ED lens (VR off); continuous shooting mode; continuous-servo autofocus; image quality set to JPEG BASIC; image size set to Medium; shutter speed 1/250 second; shutter release pressed halfway for three seconds and focus cycled from infinity to minimum range three times with each shot; monitor turned on for five seconds after six shots and then turned off; cycle repeated once exposure meters have turned off.
• The optionally available MB-D200 battery pack adds extended shooting capability with an ergonomic design. Able to run on either six AA-size batteries or two EN-EL3e batteries*, it also features an additional command dial and alternative buttons for shutter release and AF start that make for more comfortable vertical shooting.

  * Also compatible with AA-size alkaline, NiMH, lithium and nickel-manganese batteries.

• The Wireless Transmitter WT-3* adds all the convenience of IEEE802.11b/g capability, enabling cable-free image transfer to a compatible computer while also supporting wide-ranging network and security protocols for added assurance.
  

  * Available only in countries that approve the use of thirteen frequency channels.

Compatible with Nikon’s Total Imaging System

• Compatible with Nikon’s digital-exclusive DX Nikkor lenses as well as Nikon’s 35mm/digital compatible AF Nikkor System.
• Compatibility with the Nikon Creative Lighting System allows the D200 to work seamlessly with SB-800 and SB-600 Speedlights to deliver the benefits of i-TTL flash control’s advanced monitor pre-flash, accurate measurement for bounce and versatile wireless operation. SB-600 and SB-800 Speedlights also offer a Wide-Area AF-assist Illuminator specially tailored to the D200’s 11-area Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module.
• Nikon Capture 4 (Ver. 4.4) unlocks the extensive potential of NEF (Nikon Electronic Format). Not only does it make smoother fidelity for tonal and other color corrections possible, but it also empowers photographers to reprocess images at any time and save the results to the original NEF file as a new Instruction Set, or as a TIFF or JPEG file, while retaining the integrity of the original data at all times.
• PictureProject Ver. 1.6 (complimentary with camera) empowers the photographer with tools that help expand the enjoyment of photography. These include tools for Organizing the images to promote effective viewing, Automatic and manual options for image editing, Design selections that help make multi-image album and presentation pages, and tools to help photographers share images with others through CD/DVD burning, slide shows, muvee presentations, fast and effective e-mailing and access to Nikon’s PictureProject In-touch. In addition to helping anyone enjoy their pictures, PictureProject also provides the means to make sure that the computer’s hard drive won’t turn into an “electronic shoe box” full of pictures – instead they can be kept as neatly ordered as the user like!

Nikon Digital Digital SLR Camera D200 Specifications