The viewfinder, programmable buttons, 4 way selector on the grip, the better pics, sensorcleaning system( I just bought a D2h and now I remember how often you had to clean the sensor of the D200), the rubber that stays on the camera, the display and the better zoom system, the much better grip, the use of EN EL4 batteries, the non-detacheable covers of the 10pin and flash connectors, the viewfinder shutter.
I took that leap, and THE difference to mention is the sensor size, with its (IMHO) much broader range of good, small, fast and cheap lenses.
All the rest was good enough for anything with the D200. But of course, a larger viewfinder, better LCD and such is nice.
Edit: Oh yes, the sensorcleaning! It works like a dream, and I've never swabbed my sensor after a full year of use. I've used a simple rubber bulb blower, like 10 times or so. And I switch lenses quite frequently.
It's hard to see through the D200 viewfinder now. I don't know how I did it. It's like looking through a keyhole in a door vs. opening and looking through the door
still have my d200, the button layout is better on the d700 and the af confirmation arrows in the vf, the lens correction, picture controles, 8fps... so yea it's 3.5 times better ;o)
The d700 AF is very much improved over the d200, mostly for tracking, except that the AF points don't cover as much of the frame in the viewfinder, as you're used to seeing with the d200. I can't say enough about CAM 3500, it was the biggest improvement that gave immediate and significant benefits to my shooting, when I bought a d300. I was shooting a pair of d200's at that time. Now I have d300 and d700 pair, while my d200's mainly sit on the bench in deep backup roles.
i did the switch recently, the d700 files sooc are much better, not to mention AF and ISO.
In fact its so good in p-mode, that i almost dont want to shot manual. My wife uses it on p-mode, and it produces really great images, but so far it seems to overexpose to just a little bit.
i have mentioned it before, i dont like the sound of the shutter, to clunky, to loud, have the sound of a long exposure.
And i dont like the balance of the d700 either, it needs a batterygrip to even the balance, but that makes it quite heavier. Which is fine when i use it outdoors, but to heavy for pics at home.
But overall, this is the best cam i ever had, and it will take long before i even consider selling this. My files sooc, have the "right" exposure, and seem sharper. What i like the most is:
- Manual lenses, a joy on d700
- LCD screen, so much brighter
- Iso
- Metering, much, much better then the d200.
I have both. After using the D700 and the D300 I almost loath picking up my D200 anymore. It makes a great spare body but I don't like where the AF button is placed, I don't care for having to push a button and then use the wheel to zoom in also a gripe of mine on the D3. Viewfinder is good for a DX camera but pales in comparison to a D700.
LCD is also a problem, because you just expect to view your subject on the D200 not actually judge what your color rendition is. I find the new 3" display to be very color accurate.
I agree that ISO 100 is great on the 200 and if you are shooting raw you can PP the images to have the same color as a D700 but if you are shooting JPG it takes a lot more work to get the same color out of a D200.
If you use a grip the D700 is leagues ahead of the D200.
If you are doing studio / strobe work the D200 is definitely a workhorse not to be ignored, it just falls short of the newer cameras outdoors with high ISO and dynamic range.
I just moved from D200 over to D700 and I agree with everything that has been mentioned here. To me the ISO performance is te best, then focusing and ability to program more buttons rather than just the function button. I do not do any wild life work so I do not miss 1.5 crop factor.
My D200 just got converted to IR at life pixel now waiting for the return of spring with green leaves.
Makten wrote:
Edit: Oh yes, the sensorcleaning! It works like a dream, and I've never swabbed my sensor after a full year of use. I've used a simple rubber bulb blower, like 10 times or so. And I switch lenses quite frequently.
I have come to enjoy cleaning the sensor on my D200! It is a soothing, relaxing experience.
I too have thought about the idea of going from my D200's to a D700, but I have no money now. Maybe when I'm able to afford one, Nikon will release the D800 or the elusive SP digital rangefinder I have waited so patiently for all these years!
I have found the D700 to give better exposure (i.e. I shoot a lot in Aperture Priority) as my D200 consistently under exposed (have it set to permanent exposure compensation +1/2 stop.
I have found the D700 to give better auto-white balance in tricky light conditions. I shoot weddings, thus a fair amount of indoor, natural lighting that is always changing from as little as which way I turn my head. I do less white balance correction in post with the D700.
I find the images from the D700 come out with the colours a little more bold. Both cameras are set at defaults and I shoot RAW. I find the D200 images quite often need a bit more contrast boost/black level increase than the D700 images.
Then there is the obvious advantage of higher ISO usage while still maintaining excellent quality.
