S3 Pro vs D200

-- I'm sorry but I'm sure this has been brought up before, anyways my question is:I have a S2 pro now and have a chance to purchase a S3 and somebody told me I'd be better off with a D200. I just asking for anybodys personal opinion.

Thank You

Depends what you are looking for...! I have two S3's and an S5 and just bought a mint lovely D200!!

There is no doubt as to the relative build quality of the bodies between the D200/S5 and S3's.

I really only shoot RAW and actually very surprised at the DR available from the D200 as this was not it's strong suite..modern converters I guess.

So, there's is no doubt the D200 is quicker and definitely resolves more fine detail than either the S5 or S3..I find it's noise..another supposed weakness, to be as least as good if not better than the S5 up to 800asa..and in truth, with good RAW converters, not really worse at 1600...

But, the S3/S5 have a reputation for colour...but once again I don't find the D200 shot RAW/Neutral far off at all..I would be tempted to say it is neutral..!!

But the real test comes when high DR is required and here the S3/S5 are about 2 stops better than the Nikon...

Difficult call..I am selling both my S3's and very happy with the D200/S5 combination. I shall keep my S5 for weddings etc..but for everything else I can see myself using the higher resolution D200..it really does produce very clean files!!

Some love the Fuji, particularly the S3 for OOC Jpegs..but consider this..they are worth next to nothing and any fault that develops in them costs a ridiculous sum of money and can only be serviced by Fuji..there are many Nikon service agents.

I see my final complement being the D200 + S5 + D700...D200, 100-800asa, D700, 800-6400asa and the Fuji for DR, colour ...and that Fuji look...!!!

Just got to keep saving for that D700!!!

-- Thank You Old Master, now I'm really confused......just kidding

Well, now I have a chance to buy a S3, D200, or the S5, I do alot of portrait work. By the way what price are we looking at for your S3?

Thank You
Richard

D200 with 17-55, over 800asa expect noise otherwise a good camera which produces excellent results a good combination with an S2.

S3 focuses slower than the Nikon in my experience a brilliant camera in the right hands.

I've owned all the cameras on your list, but only have the S5 now. I would not choose a D200 for portraits - the S5 (and S3) offer superior colour and tonality in my view. Operationally, the S3 has its quirks, and is a bit slow, but it's IQ is better than your S2 and I would prefer it over the D200.

However, the logical have-your-cake-and-eat-it choice must be the S5. With the S5, you get the superior body of the D200, AND all the advantages of the Fuji sensor - ie better colour and wider DR. Furthermore, prices on used S5s are (usually) very reasonable.

J M Hughes

Sorry..I am keeping one S3..just p/x the other for a new MB-D200 grip..that is about what they are worth now.

But that gives me an S5 + Grip and a D200 + Grip...both looking and working like new.

I would be wary of S3's now. They are capable of great results but once you have used the D200/S5 body there is little going back..just to be able to take the camera out in the knowledge that the batteries will last all day is a relief!!

The S3 does fit nicely in the hand, but the viewfinder is tiny and dim, the LCD is small..the focusing slow..etc, etc, etc!! But in it's defence the shutter is very quiet and has a certain quality to it..

They do feel like an older generation digital..the S5/D200 etc are much more 35mm responsive..they even keep up with you in RAW!! The times I have taken two pictures at a wedding in RAW and then apologised while the S3 took 11 seconds to buffer them, freezing me out until it was ready!!!

In truth, given the prices now new, the S5 is the one for all the reasons people have said..but the D200 with a bit more resolution, different in so many ways, but still superbly capable..just trading some DR and "tonality" for better fine detail rendition. Horses for courses...some work I reach for the S5 and some for the D200.

You can't change the film but these two bodies offer me similar facility..B&W..outdoor, faster frame rate and transparency like clarity and detail..the D200. Weddings, portraits, and most forms of social photography..the S5.

In short go for the S5 first..and keep watching the prices drop on the D200 as it becomes more obsolete..they make a good marriage!!

--

I read you are selling your S 3, please, could you contact with me. I,m looking for one in e-bay, photo.net and other several forums. Im, in Spain.
Cheers.

--Hello Old Master.
Such as you say Horses for courses..... please I,m searching for an advice.

I want to purchase a fuji body to take landscapes photographs. I have Nikon lens because I owned a D 100 in the past.

My daylemma is S2 (cheaper and easy to find in second hand market) or S3 (still expensive in a very good condition).
I will take no more than 700 shoots in a year and always with tripod.
What Sensor is better, better resolution, better colours..?
Is there any comparation between both cameras or they are very differents.
King regards and sorry my bad english.

If you're worried about having a "pro" body with all that implies, then D200 is the way to go. If you're worried about IQ, then the S3 hands down.

If you're not worried about body or IQ, then get the D80 since it is the same sensor as the D200 and slightly improved image quality. If all you have is AF-S lenses, then a D40x or D60 are even cheaper, use the same sensor, and have slightly better image quality than even the D80.

If you ever need to shoot mid-day skies, the S3 is probably the only choice. None of these Nikons can handle the dynamic range of even your trusty S2 and blow things out like crazy. I have parted with my D80 and miss it very little. I do however miss my S2 regularly.

--
Matt Fahrner
http://pics.boinkphoto.com
http://www.boinkphoto.com

you said:If you ever need to shoot mid-day skies, the S3 is probably the only choice

It i truth. S3 is my first choice but I don,t know if S2 sensor is so good for this kind of photographs