Nikon D200 vs D700

The Nikon D200 and the Nikon D700 are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in November 2005 and July 2008. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (D200) and a full frame (D700) sensor. The D200 has a resolution of 10 megapixels, whereas the D700 provides 12.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Nikon D200		Nikon D700
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses		Nikon F mount lenses
10 MP – APS-C sensor		12.1 MP – Full Frame sensor
no Video		no Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)		ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
2.5" LCD – 230k dots		3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second		8 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
400 shots per battery charge		1000 shots per battery charge
147 x 113 x 74 mm, 920 g		147 x 123 x 77 mm, 1074 g

Check D200 offers at
ebay.com
Check D700 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D200 and the Nikon D700? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Nikon D200 and the Nikon D700. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D700 is notably larger (9 percent) than the Nikon D200. Moreover, the D700 is markedly heavier (17 percent) than the D200. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor (as in the D700) will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, while more compact options are available for the smaller-sensor camera (D200). You can compare the optics available in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Nikon D200	147 mm	113 mm	74 mm	920 g	400	Y	Nov 2005	EUR 1 799	ebay.com
2.		Nikon D700	147 mm	123 mm	77 mm	1074 g	1000	Y	Jul 2008	EUR 2 599	ebay.com
3.		Canon 20D	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	EUR 1 599	ebay.com
4.		Canon 30D	144 mm	106 mm	74 mm	785 g	750	n	Feb 2006	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
5.		Nikon D2X	158 mm	150 mm	86 mm	1252 g	3800	Y	Sep 2004	EUR 4 999	ebay.com
6.		Nikon D2Xs	158 mm	150 mm	86 mm	1252 g	3800	Y	Jun 2006	EUR 5 069	ebay.com
7.		Nikon D3	160 mm	157 mm	88 mm	1300 g	4300	Y	Aug 2007	EUR 4 849	ebay.com
8.		Nikon D3S	160 mm	157 mm	88 mm	1240 g	4200	Y	Oct 2009	EUR 4 999	ebay.com
9.		Nikon D3X	160 mm	157 mm	88 mm	1260 g	4400	Y	Dec 2008	EUR 6 999	ebay.com
10.		Nikon D80	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	668 g	600	n	Aug 2006	EUR 969	ebay.com
11.		Nikon D100	144 mm	116 mm	81 mm	780 g	370	n	Feb 2002	EUR 2 499	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D300	147 mm	114 mm	74 mm	925 g	1000	Y	Aug 2007	EUR 1 829	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D300S	147 mm	115 mm	81 mm	938 g	950	Y	Jul 2009	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D500	147 mm	115 mm	81 mm	860 g	1240	Y	Jan 2016	EUR 2 399	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D800	146 mm	123 mm	82 mm	1000 g	900	Y	Feb 2012	EUR 2 899	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D810	146 mm	123 mm	82 mm	980 g	1200	Y	Jun 2014	EUR 3 299	ebay.com
17.		Nikon D7000	132 mm	105 mm	77 mm	780 g	1050	Y	Sep 2010	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D200 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 43 percent) than the D700, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D200 features an APS-C sensor and the Nikon D700 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the D700 is 131 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 12.1MP, the D700 offers a higher resolution than the D200 (10MP), but the D700 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 8.43μm versus 6.11μm for the D200) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the D700 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 7 months) than the D200, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D700 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D700 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 21.3 x 14.2 inches or 54.1 x 36 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.2 x 28.8 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 14.2 x 9.4 inches or 36 x 24 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D200 are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.2 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.5 x 10.4 inches or 39.3 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 12.9 x 8.6 inches or 32.8 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D200 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D700 are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the D200 is build around a CCD sensor, while the D700 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the D700 offers substantially better image quality than the D200 (overall score 16 points higher). The advantage is based on 1.2 bits higher color depth, 0.7 EV in additional dynamic range, and 2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Nikon D200	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.5	583	64
2.		Nikon D700	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	none	23.5	12.2	2303	80
3.		Canon 20D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.9	11.0	721	62
4.		Canon 30D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.5	10.8	736	59
5.		Nikon D2X	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.1	10.9	476	59
6.		Nikon D2Xs	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.2	10.9	489	59
7.		Nikon D3	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	none	23.5	12.2	2290	81
8.		Nikon D3S	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	720/24p	23.5	12.0	3253	82
9.		Nikon D3X	Full Frame	24.4	6048	4032	none	24.7	13.7	1992	88
10.		Nikon D80	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.1	11.2	524	61
11.		Nikon D100	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	20.4	9.9	394	48
12.		Nikon D300	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.1	12.0	679	67
13.		Nikon D300S	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.5	12.2	787	70
14.		Nikon D500	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.0	14.0	1324	83
15.		Nikon D800	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/30p	25.3	14.4	2853	95
16.		Nikon D810	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/60p	25.7	14.8	2853	97
17.		Nikon D7000	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/24p	23.5	13.9	1167	80
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The D200 and the D700 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the D700 has a higher magnification than the one of the D200 (0.72x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D200, the Nikon D700, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Nikon D200	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
2.		Nikon D700	optical	Y	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon 20D	optical	Y	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 30D	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
5.		Nikon D2X	optical	Y	2.5 / 235	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
6.		Nikon D2Xs	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
7.		Nikon D3	optical	Y	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/8000s	11.0/s	n	n
8.		Nikon D3S	optical	Y	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/8000s	11.0/s	n	n
9.		Nikon D3X	optical	Y	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
10.		Nikon D80	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
11.		Nikon D100	optical	Y	1.8 / 118	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
12.		Nikon D300	optical	Y	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0/s	Y	n
13.		Nikon D300S	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	7.0/s	Y	n
14.		Nikon D500	optical	Y	3.2 / 2359	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	n
15.		Nikon D800	optical	Y	3.2 / 921	fixed	n	1/8000s	4.0/s	Y	n
16.		Nikon D810	optical	Y	3.2 / 1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
17.		Nikon D7000	optical	Y	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The Nikon D200 and the Nikon D700 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D200 and the D700 write their files to Compact Flash cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D200 and Nikon D700 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Nikon D200	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Nikon D700	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 20D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
4.		Canon 30D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Nikon D2X	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Nikon D2Xs	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Nikon D3	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Nikon D3S	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Nikon D3X	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Nikon D80	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Nikon D100	Y	- / -	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
12.		Nikon D300	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Nikon D300S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon D500	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	Y	Y
15.		Nikon D800	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	-	-	-
16.		Nikon D810	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
17.		Nikon D7000	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the D200 and the D700 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D200 was replaced by the Nikon D300, while the D700 was followed by the Nikon D800. Further information on the features and operation of the D200 and D700 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D200 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D700 Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D200 or the Nikon D700 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D200:

• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 154g or 14 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (43 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in November 2005).

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D700:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (12.1 vs 10MP), which boosts linear resolution by 10%.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (16 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.2 bits more color depth).
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (0.7 EV of extra DR).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (2 stops ISO advantage).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.72x vs 0.63x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (922k vs 230k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1000 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 7 months of technical progress since the D200 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D700 is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 3 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D200 and the Nikon D700 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D200 or the D700 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Nikon D200	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	..	Nov 2005	EUR 1 799	ebay.com
2.		Nikon D700	..	89/100	..	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2008	EUR 2 599	ebay.com
3.		Canon 20D	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Aug 2004	EUR 1 599	ebay.com
4.		Canon 30D	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2006	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
5.		Nikon D2X	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2004	EUR 4 999	ebay.com
6.		Nikon D2Xs	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2006	EUR 5 069	ebay.com
7.		Nikon D3	..	..	..	+ +	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	EUR 4 849	ebay.com
8.		Nikon D3S	5/5	..	..	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2009	EUR 4 999	ebay.com
9.		Nikon D3X	..	..	..	86/100	4/5	5/5	Dec 2008	EUR 6 999	ebay.com
10.		Nikon D80	..	+	..	+ +	o	4.5/5	Aug 2006	EUR 969	ebay.com
11.		Nikon D100	..	..	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2002	EUR 2 499	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D300	..	+ +	..	+ +	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	EUR 1 829	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D300S	5/5	+ +	..	82/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2009	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D500	5/5	+ +	4.7/5	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2016	EUR 2 399	ebay.com
15.		Nikon D800	5/5	+ +	..	82/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2012	EUR 2 899	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D810	5/5	..	5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2014	EUR 3 299	ebay.com
17.		Nikon D7000	4/5	..	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	EUR 1 399	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Check D200 offers at
ebay.com
Check D700 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

~

Check D200 offers at
ebay.com
Check D700 offers at
ebay.com

Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.