Nikon D200

If the Nikon’s D2X was your older brother, you’d want to be just like it, too, and the semi-pro D200 definitely inherited the sturdiness of its sibling, with a magnesium alloy chassis and a coating that helps keep out harsh elements. Though a few centimeters shorter than the D2X, the D200 has the same 2.5-inch LCD screen with a 170-degree viewing angle, and a viewfinder that displays 94 percent of the total image area.
    It separates from the D2X in resolution at 10.2 megapixels (compared with 12.4), but the same CCD sensor controlled by Nikon’s 3D Color Matrix Metering II system makes for excellent image quality and color tone. Plus, the speedy D200 has a power-up time of .15 seconds and a shutter lag time of just 50 milliseconds. It can capture images at five frames per second and cram 37 JPEG or 22 RAW images into its buffer. Battery power isn’t a problem, as the D200 can capture 1,800 shots per charge, and the screen actually monitors the battery’s remaining power and total number of shots taken.
    Using a Nikon wireless transmitter, the D200 can send images over WiFi networks, and it accepts the same Nikon F-Mount lenses as the D2X.

Retail price: $1,699
Further information: www.nikonusa.com