Advanced digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras are supposed to be impressive models, offering many high-end capabilities and powerful features. They also carry high price tags, though, and they often offer far more power than most people can use. If you want a digital SLR, such as Nikon's D200 model, be sure you have enough photography experience that you can make the most of all of the high-end features.

Nikon offers the D200 in several different configurations with a few different lenses. We're considering the D200 with an 18mm-200mm equivalent lens ($1,999 MSRP). Nikon also offers the D200 without a lens ($1,699 MSRP), if you already own a compatible Nikon lens. Be prepared to spend extra money on an external flash and a large memory card; neither are included with any of the D200 kits. It's certainly an expensive unit.

The D200's feature set justifies its final price, however. Nikon has included 10.2 megapixels of resolution with the D200, which can produce high-quality photo prints of up to 20-by-30 inches.

Response times are outstanding with this model. You can shoot your first photo less than 1/2 second after you press the power button. Shutter lag is not noticeable most of the time. Our testing found that even in low-light conditions, the auto-focus needs less than 1/2 second to adjust. Shot-to-shot delays are less than 1/2 second, in most instances, according to our research. When using the flash over a long distance, we found delays to be 1 or 2 seconds. You can select from several continuous-shooting modes, with improved performance when using a larger memory card. The D200's overall performance is among the best you'll find in any price range. Image quality is outstanding with this model as well, regardless of the exterior lighting conditions.

The D200's 2.5-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) is extremely bright and sharp. Very few digital SLRs offer high-end LCDs that can match this model's screen.

Manual-control features abound on the D200. Tracking all of the roles of the buttons can be more than a little confusing for inexperienced photographers. The D200 doesn't really offer a fully automatic mode, but it would be a waste of this digital camera's feature set to not use its manual-control features. As with all digital SLR models, there is no video mode.

Finally, the D200 has a few other very nice features. Battery life with this digital camera is outstanding; you should be able to shoot several hundred photos without needing a battery recharge. The D200 is a heavy unit, weighing in at 3-4 pounds (depending on what is attached), but its size doesn't make it less comfortable to use. This model's optical viewfinder doesn't quite display 100 percent of the frame, but it's close enough that you probably won't notice any difference. The viewfinder also has a focus knob, which is extremely handy. You'll appreciate the D200's photo-transfer features, which allow for using USB 2.0 or a WiFi network (with optional equipment).

The D200's price tag will limit its appeal to many people, but it's a very powerful unit. For the right photographer, the D200 will be an outstanding choice. It just proves the old saying: "You get what you pay for."


Pros: Outstanding photo quality, many high-end features, outstanding response times, unit is versatile with add-on components
Cons: Extremely high price, numerous manual controls may confuse some photographers, long feature list probably overkill for beginners

Warranty
1 year, limited