D80 or D200

[Wolfie]

Hi Folks

Before I ask my question I would like to say what a wonderful site this is..... It's packed full of information!! So glad I found it

Okay I am going to buy a another Nikon soon ...I am the proud owner of a D40X and Just wanted some advice ...Do I get the D80 or the D200?

Thanks

[kirbinster]

You should be able to find a D200 for not much more than a D80 these days - so why not get the better one? But I wonder why you want either as they were great in their day but are kind of dated. Why not go with a D90 which is really an upgrade with a much better image sensor and live view.

[Wolfie]

Hi There

I would like the D90 but can't afford one right now, Can you tell me what is the better camera to get D80 or D200, As you rightly said I can get both for roughly the same price

[kirbinster]

Well the D200 is basically the same camera as the D80 but it is ruggedized with a metal body, is more weather proof and has more controls and more things you can do in the menus. If they are about the same price I would definitely go for the D200. The only downside of that is that it does weigh more. I don't know what the pricing is in Ireland, but I have seen used D80's go for as low as $350 and D200 for about $500, while you can find a D90 for about $650 to $700 in the New York area.

[autofocus]

Just get the D200..it's a mid level pro level camera Vs the consumer level D80. I'm not saying the D80 is a bad camera, but for me it would be no contest between the two...the D200 wins hands down

[WooD]

Pretty sure the D200 will shoot 5 FPS, compared to the D80 shooting 3 FPS.

[J. r. Weems]

For me, it was a matter of experience. I didn't believe I had enough for a 200, so I went with the D 80. 3 years later when I realized I needed another body, I was about to go with the 200. While I was mulling this all over, they came out with the D 700. After much soul searching, I went with the D 700. I still use the D80 about half the time. No reason for me to look any further, unless something happens to the D 80. I don't need the 'latest & greatest, and at my advanced age have all I need. Knowing now what I didn't know for years ago, I would go with the D200 over the D80.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

yeersh- I have the D40 and got as a gift a D80 a couple months ago as a backup camera and I have to say- I hated it- not because of weight or anything- it definitely felt nicer, more solid- but the image quality was simply terrible. And I know it's already been covered that you're sticking between these two choices, but I've been watching quite a few barely-used (read: less than 5000 actuations) D300's (note: D300 note D300s) go for just above $1k- 'bout the price of a new D90 at the MSRP... just sayin.

[WooD]

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

yeersh- I have the D40 and got as a gift a D80 a couple months ago as a backup camera and I have to say- I hated it- not because of weight or anything- it definitely felt nicer, more solid- but the image quality was simply terrible. And I know it's already been covered that you're sticking between these two choices, but I've been watching quite a few barely-used (read: less than 5000 actuations) D300's (note: D300 note D300s) go for just above $1k- 'bout the price of a new D90 at the MSRP... just sayin.

I've got a D80 I use as a back up. It's got probably close to 50,000 shots on it, and I've never had a problem with image quality.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by WooD

I've got a D80 I use as a back up. It's got probably close to 50,000 shots on it, and I've never had a problem with image quality.

Hmm... I may have had a lemon then- Colors were muted (just as much in JPEG as in RAW) and more often then not, the metering was just plain off. I gave it to a friend as something to use for his photojournalism class and eventually just told him to keep it.