mfletch
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I have the D200 and D2H here are the pros and cons to a casual, hobbiest photographer.
D200 pros:
-Unmatched build quality from a smallish(vertical grip-less) SLR body.
-As someone else said, it does everything pretty well(jackof all trades).
-CLS control with built in flash controller.
-Still a current model, with new warranted bodies available.
-Has the dedicated controls usually only found on pro models(metering, focusing modes, ISO not buried in menus)
-The 10mp is more than enough resolution and sharpens up nicely from RAWs in Capture(See cons related)
D200 cons:
-Weak jpeg production, but as above the RAWs of the same image really come to life in Capture(night/day difference, much more so than my other Nikon bodies.
-Battery life is poor, yes you can add the flimsy vertical grip and double your battery life but that still gets you less than half of the shots of a single D2H battery. I turned off image review and just tap the play button when I need a quick chimp and battery life improved noticably though.
-10mp NEFs(even compressed) take up some serious disk and CF space(luckily those things keep getting more affordable). The large NEFs though also take longer to process, it's of course manageable but you'll feel a difference even with the fastest editing rig.
Thats pretty much the negatives. So if you want hi res shots, shoot RAW, and don' t mind large image files and packing extra batteries, you'll have no regrets with the D200.
D2H pros:
-Well it's a D2 series pro body, that should sum it up...
-At low ISO(400 or less), JPEG performance is pretty good, RAW is of course better.
-4.1mp goes a lot further than given credit.
-Multicam 2000 AF... Wow! The D200 isn't a slouch here, but the D2h simply "Snaps" into focus, even with screwdriven lenses.
-Battery life in fantastic, of course it's a $100+ battery also, but I only have one and am getting along fine.
-3.5mb compressed NEFs take up much less space and loading/editing is noticably faster.
-I shouldn't need to mention the 8fps ability, but I will anyway.
-Brighter viewfinder.
-The short viewfinder blackout is amazing. I mention this because I used to read others mention it, and didn't really see the big deal. When my D2H arrived, I mounted a lens and fired a couple shots indoors. The shutter noise and blackout were so short, I had to check the LCD to make sure I actually captured a shot. You really need to shoot a D2(something) body to understand this one.
D2H cons:
-It's a dog at high ISO, when shooting JPEG. With good noise reduction, NEFs even up to 3200 clean up nicely if exposed properly. But you have to know buying a D2H that getting good ISO 1600 & 3200 images is no slam dunk.
-For some shots, you just need more than 4.1mp, though there are alot of photogs that report dazzling 20x30 prints.
-No option of making the D2H, smaller or lighter. It's a brick to carry, but a pleasure to shoot.
-No onboard CLS control. You can add an SB800 or SU800 for that.
-Meter failure problem, Nikon fixes this for free on USA models.
I left the Canon camp for a D200 package, I love my Nikons now. Since getting the D2H, my D200 is getting bored. I don't want to get rid of it, but the thought of using it's value toward nice glass has crossed my mind.
I think that between these two, if you flip a coin and buy, you wouldn't regret your choice. I have never owned a D1x, but would give it a whirl if the price was right.
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