Nikon D200 Body Only Digital Camera

Pros: Excellent handling, ergonomics, build, image quality, and value.
Cons: 1:1 CCD. focus mode easy to accidentally kick into manual.

Hands down the best digital SLR for the money. Even taking the bang-for-the-buck factor our of the equation, many pro photographers will opt for the D200 over other models because of its excellent blend of: unbeatable ergonomics, solid build, consistently excellent image quality, 5 fps speed, and light weight. Excellent color management and white balance management. Hefty array of frankly really neat advanced functions. Wireless Creative Lighting System (CLS) is phenomenal and will change the way you handle light. Built like a tank, excellent handling, good weather resistance, light weight. With its excellent image handling, you will want to pair the D200 with a lens of comparable quality. Consider too one of Nikon's wireless flashes, the SB800, SB600 or R1C1 (for macro).

Pros: overall features and build quality
Cons: a little heavy, but not a problem

Overall, the camera is a great buy at a great price. The features of the D200 are quite amazing and superb build. Great upgrade from other Nikon cameras with professional feel. Body has a nice strong feeling and has great fitment for my hands. I personally like the holding position because my hands do not feel cramped. Although there are quite a few functions on the camera that can be somewhat confusing, just play around with the settings or read the manual and everything should be fine. I have to get used to the camera myself, but the whole camera itself is overwhelming. This camera is a great purchase. I do wish that the D200 would be able to move from picture to picture with the turn dial on the back. However, it's not a problem using the directional pad.

Pros: Simply the best camera for the money.
Cons: Not a single "con," and I've scrutinized. Nikon got it right!

After several months on the internet doing comparisons between all brands in this Digital SLR genre, I chose the D200. It will serve me well for years to come. I added the Nikon 18-200 zoom lens with VR, a great combination. With this combination of prosumer camera and lens, I can do virtually anything in digital photography. I'm looking forward to taking some of the free classes given by my retailer (Berger Brothers) and wanted to use all of the features the D200 can provide.

Always handle the camera or cameras you're considering on buying. It has to fit your hand in order for you to get comfortable with it. When I picked-up the D200 for the first time, I knew I had found my match. Not too big, and not too small; it has what pros call a great "build" and just seems to fall into my hands naturally.

I bought the outfit at Berger Brothers Camera/Video in Amityville, Ny and could not have had a better buying experience. Great camera...great retailer.

Pros: Sharpest pictures ever
Cons: Autofocus

This is a great camera that will deliver super sharp images . . . unless you use autofocus. I've given the autofocus every chance. It simply does not work. I've assumed it was a software shortcoming but I don't know that. The answer is, of course, to focus manually and you will get images that are as sharp as a razor. They'll look almost 3D on the computer screen.
My previous camera was a D70 and I never got images as good as I get with the D200.