Well it's finally started, the D200 lathering.

I expect about 8 to 12 weeks of some very entertaining speculation. My take on it is that it will be around 10mp (12.4 may be possible) with a CMOS sensor in a form similar to the D70.

I am hoping for 2 things from the D200. Number One is that Nikon does something about the viewfinder, 1.0x magnification, or more, would be nice. Some of us really need a viewfinder that can be useful for manual focusing, which their current DSLR's are not (try comparing a D2x to an F2 or FM3A and you'll see what I mean). Number Two is that Nikon is currently building up a stock so that they can fill the stores at introduction. If they satisfy Number One, I really don't want to wait to purchase one. BTW, I would prefer that they call it the D90, it makes more sense in the number progression than D200.

Once Nikon finally announces it, we'll all know what it actually is. Then we can all start dreaming about the D3, that should make for some VERY interesting speculation (FF or DX, 16mp or 20, etc.).

monte12345 said:

...
BTW, I would
prefer that they call it the D90, it makes more sense in the number
progression than D200.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, calling it a D90 will make it sound like it's less of a camera than a D100. Remmeber marketing is key here. And was the F90(N90) more of a camera than the F100? No, so D200 it is.

Also, Nikon has already applied for the D200 trademark.

--
-----Bear

The D70 has a CCD sensor while the D2X has a CMOS sensor. If the D200 will have a 8MP CMOS sensor like the one in the D2X with 5fps and an optional grip it will be a good backup for the D2X.

... Nikon is telling us, that it is the best available technique, while C announces 3 weeks after a 10 or 12 mpx 400D.

that is how it was in the last years and I see no sign from Nikon that they go for leadership.

Don't know. I believe the D100 was introduced when all Nikon had in their pro lineup was the D1X and D1h. So the 6 mp announcement went above their pro offerings with respect to megapixels didn't it?

I'm not sure about timing on this, but I'm sure someone remembers...

Julio

Christoph S. said:

... Nikon is telling us, that it is the best available technique,
while C announces 3 weeks after a 10 or 12 mpx 400D.

that is how it was in the last years and I see no sign from Nikon
that they go for leadership.

Click to expand...

Actually they've shown in the last year that they are serious about stepping up their releases to compete in the growing DSLR market place.

D70s
D2hs
D50
D2x

all this year. The most important development that bodes extremely well for Nikon's future IMO is the CMOS sensor tech. they co developed with Sony.

First, the fact they co developed it makes it very likely the same tech. won't appear in any mass market chips that Sony might produce any time soon. It's possible some licensing agreement can change this in the future but it would be very foolish of Nikon not to cover their contribution to the tech by taking some sort of exclusivity rights to the tech. or to the use of chips produced by it.

Secondly, Nikon has a tight relationship with Sony as far as providing lithographic steppers (the devices uses to "punch" sensors and chips in fabs. Nikon would be foolish again, not to leverage this relationship against their sensor needs to reduce costs or secure more concessions on the codeveloped tech. from Sony.

Third, the design costs for the common aspects of the CMOS tech. are being amortized by the D2x line. These can now be paralleled into lower resolution processes with a change only in the design cost for the new processes. This means that as more D2x's are sold, the costs for all sensors that use the technology base also comes down..even for sensors not yet released using that process but at lower resolution. I wouldn't be suprised at all, if (when) Sony announces 8mp and 10mp CMOS chips. Remeber that these are downgrades from the already released 12mp APS CMOS sensor. Since CMOS fabrication is inherently cheaper than CCD fabrication the cost imperative for doing this from both Sony (the manufacturer ever looking to reduce production costs) and Nikon (the designer ever looking to reduce procurement costs) will be exceedingly great.

Fourth, as demonstrated in the D2x the technology is amazing. A first public generation CMOS process that offers performance on par with Canon's latest generation offerings when photosite area is roughly compared. Assuming the same image processing pipeline a lower density 8mp or 10mp CMOS sensor would have between 40% and !20% more photosensitive area per photosite than the existing D2x 12mp sensor. This increase would allow the wide range of sensitivity needed for a CMOS driven D200 that can compete for several years with the comparable Canon models to come. It would future proof the low end and semi pro end of Nikon's DSLR line precisely at the time it is most needed IMO. (as DSLR sales projections will begin to turn in the coming year)

I think the CMOS foundation is Nikon's trump card for asserting leadership in the DSLR space. If I am right you'll see in the next few years more rapid releases of DSLR's from Nikon and a very fast transition to an all CMOS line. It would be a blunder for them to sit on the proven performance (in terms of both cost and image quality) metrics of the new CMOS technology assuming they have as large a stake in it's development as is believed.

I've given my ideas on the D200 specs before but here again:

10mp APS CMOS (ISO 100 - 3200)
5fps
Magnesium alloy, new body design along D2x lines "baby D2x"
AF module that performs on level of D1x(Cam 1300 eqiv) or better
Color matrix metering (just like D2x)
iTTL
bigger LCD than existing D100 possibly same as used in D2x
Optional grip
Standard list of versatile options for image parameters plus a few new features.
Price $1700 Kit , $1500 body only

Time will tell how close this is to reality...

Regards,

--

http://www.nikonians-images.com/galleries/showphoto.php?photo=29138&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=500
Like my concept?

The sensor in the D200 will be the same as in D2x !
12 Mp !
Why should they want to downsize ?
Only real difference can be less anti - alias and sharper
algorithems !
I think we will see a better autofocus !
Nikon has learned from the D2X !
Peter

Easier to get better high ISO performance.
Might take cost out for the next level down in cameras compared to the D2X.
Retains the incentive to buy the D2x rather than the D200.
The difference between 12MP and 10 is pretty academic, but megapixels sell.

--
Regards,
DaveMart
Please see profile for equipment

I liked the idea of "D120" also, especially if that meant it would have a 12MP sensor. : ) But Nikon has not applied for that trademark. As is old news now, it has applied for "D200."

JC

Nikon obviously sets great store on 6mp sensors - with the honest exeption of the D2H series, all the Nikons wear the lucky number 6! Is the Nikon flagship a genuine 6mp camera? YOU BET! Because on the 12 mp mode, this cam simply has too much issues.

Monty, Nikon builds the best 4mp cameras in the world. So lets hope they'll build - in a couple of years or even sooner! - the best 6mp camera too.

Nikon upsizes !
The D200 will be 12MP !
and no Full frame ever !
Peter

This is what we want : 22megs , Full Frame or better, 10images per second, Light but impervious to weather, abbattery that lasts forever- takes 5 minutes to charge , mind control for custom menus and settings ; all of this for $ 2000.

Compared to what we want, This is what we are going to get: A hyped up D70s with an 8 meg sensor. There is a possibility that it will be 12megs, (d100 6meg,came out after the 5.5 meg D1X); but I wouldn't count on it.
Rich

I want it to have a CCD sensor along the same line as the D100, D70 and D50. It's not broke, as far as I can tell.

There is really just one feature I'd like it to have. The rest are gravy. And that is the "faster than 1/250 sec. flash sync speed" that the D70 and D50 have.
--
Otel

The first disscusion in these forums about the D100 replacement was started on January 6, 2003...

The first time the name D200 was used in these forums was on November 20, 2001, in a post where Tom Hogan predicts that the D2 "will have a larger sensor" than the D1X... About the D200 he said: (I predict) "a D200 at the US$2000-2500 retail price point that is essentially a D1 feature set built into a more N80-like body". Will he finally be right after 4 years?

The first user asking for a digital version of the F100: "Possibly when Nikon comes around with a more F-series oriented D2, there will be a D200 with a F100 based chassis ". February 21, 2002.

March 04, 2002: "... the market will decide, if it is good enough then the D200 will have a Foveon CX3 in it next February" (I guees that "next February" was for 2003...).

This is a good one: "Maybe I will end up getting the D100 for a backup. Better yet, maybe I'll wait til next year, and get a newer and improved 12 megapixel D200 model for the same price of a D100 or lower." March 26, 2002. It's evident that he was wrong about the release date, but maybe he was right about the sensor (based on recent discussions).

"And then 12-18 months form now the D200, D120, S3, etc etc will be announced and it begins again ". June 05, 2002. Nearly 40 months if Nikon finally announces the D200 in September...

An so on, hundreds of threads, thousands of posts speculating since November, 2001, and to date all we know is that Nikon have finally registered the trademark...

Regards.

--
Antonio Rojilla
http://fotografia.disparos.com

I predict it will be a D100s in keeping with Nikon's current trend of only slight upgrades to existing lines.

The upgrades will be:

iTTL
better battery life
larger LCD
wireless capability
LBCAST sensor at 4.1 mp with center crop

It will have the same body and cost $1,500

Simultaneously, D2Hs will be dropped in price to $2,300.

For whatever reason, Nikon seems to be hopelessly in love with its N80 body design and CAM 1300, which just don't cut it.

A D200 with metal body, high shooting speed, high mp, etc. will cut into D2X sales. Nikon's marketing approach has been to give consumers little in way of mid-range options so they are forced to buy their high-end cameras. They simply can't afford to give away the flagship at this point.

Carl Feather said:

...

For whatever reason, Nikon seems to be hopelessly in love with its
N80 body design and CAM 1300, which just don't cut it.

Click to expand...

The D100 has a CAM900. A CAM1300 in the D200 would be great.

And for reference, a D100 has a lot of parts from the F80(N80) however, it's not the same body. The D100 body is almost identical in size to the F100 body. The D100 body was designed for the D100.

--
-----Bear

I hope this camera comes out soon.

Just an idea:

just like nikon d2x that has a crop mode of 6 mp, I would like to see this and another mode , a PANORAMA type mode using the full 36mm of the full frame .

Many people buy the hasselblad x pan ( http://www.xpan.com/ ) because of this format.

A digital version of this format will make a lot of "full frame activists" happy.

Not only that but then the tunnel vision will be gone.

best regards,

--



http://www.hondurasart.com/gallery/rhandal

I think you have to also show that they have released the 70, 70s, and 50 in that time period since people started talking about the 200. It was logical to assume that 200 would be next, there was no reason to believe at the time they would drop back and punt from the 100...