D200 to D7000?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Hi all,

I've had a D200 for a few years for a bit of fun, just hobby photography. Tend to get mixed results out of it, some great pics but some real duffers. I find the screen hard work - very small - and it's a heavy old thing. To be honest I tend to get better pics out of my camera phone most of the time.

I know it's a great camera and I know the limiting factor is me, and as such I hadn't been planning an upgrade - most recently purchase was a better walkabout lens.

However, I've just been offered a D7000 for £200 which I know is a much newer camera, much lighter, better screen, better focusing and low light performance, but it is from the range "below", and I know deep down that deficiencies in my pics come from my lack of talent.

So question is, is it worth it for me at that price?

[macp]

Sorry cant comment on the D200 but I have the D7000 and its a truly excellent piece of kit.

[Lucas CAV]

The D7000 is a fab camera.
I moved to it from a D300s several years and have taken around 35k shots on it.
I had a'D200 quite a few years ago. The D7000 is "better" in all respects.

However the user is the limiting factor - if your phone takes "better" pics then I'm not sure the newer camera is worth it.

[Lucas CAV]

To add... Unless you can't see the histogram who cares about the screen size? I rarely look at shots on it.

[Lucas CAV]

Apologies for separate posts but the D7000 will feel smaller and lighter than the D200.

Unless you use huge lenses this will not be a problem

[Nigel_O]

I've just sold a D7000 for £375, so I would suggest you try it out - if you don't like it, just sell it on

For what its worth, the D7000 trounces the D200 in most aspects of image quality and processing

In your position, I would....

[Simpo Two]

It's worth a go to see if you like it. If you shoot RAW you may need to upgrade your software.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Thanks guys, it's a fair comment about the histogram, i should get into the habit of using it.

Is all the important stuff accessible from the dials rather than through the menus? One of my favourite upgrades from D70S to D200 was not having to faff with menus.

[tonyb1968]

If its anything like the D7100, you can access it whilst looking at the picture

[Simpo Two]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Thanks guys, it's a fair comment about the histogram, i should get into the habit of using it.

Is all the important stuff accessible from the dials rather than through the menus? One of my favourite upgrades from D70S to D200 was not having to faff with menus.

You can't judge exposure properly without it.

A quick look at the D7000 shows that ISO and JPG/RAW etc are in menus not on the top dial. Ergonomics are important and one thing that separates 'low' from 'high' cameras is controllability. Look at photos of it - has it got the controls you use most on the outside?

[Lucas CAV]

Simpo Two said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

Thanks guys, it's a fair comment about the histogram, i should get into the habit of using it.

Is all the important stuff accessible from the dials rather than through the menus? One of my favourite upgrades from D70S to D200 was not having to faff with menus.

You can't judge exposure properly without it.

A quick look at the D7000 shows that ISO and JPG/RAW etc are in menus not on the top dial. Ergonomics are important and one thing that separates 'low' from 'high' cameras is controllability. Look at photos of it - has it got the controls you use most on the outside?

Both are adjusted by holding in a button and turning a top dial.

[Lucas CAV]

Lucas CAV said:

Simpo Two said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

Thanks guys, it's a fair comment about the histogram, i should get into the habit of using it.

Is all the important stuff accessible from the dials rather than through the menus? One of my favourite upgrades from D70S to D200 was not having to faff with menus.

You can't judge exposure properly without it.

A quick look at the D7000 shows that ISO and JPG/RAW etc are in menus not on the top dial. Ergonomics are important and one thing that separates 'low' from 'high' cameras is controllability. Look at photos of it - has it got the controls you use most on the outside?

Both are adjusted by holding in a button and turning a top dial.

Thinking about it... That's exactly the same as the D200!

[Simpo Two]

Lucas CAV said:

Both are adjusted by holding in a button and turning a top dial.

Ah yep, but on the back left rather than on top. Well as I say, give it a go.