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 moire 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.
*When using a SanDisk SDCFH (Ultra II) or SDCFX (Extreme III) 1GB CF card.
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 170A° 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.
* Available only in countries that approve the use of thirteen frequency channels.
