Nikon D200 vs Nikon D3000

In this article, we are looking at the Nikon D200 and Nikon D3000, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are built by Nikon. The image resolution of the D200 (10MP) and the D3000 (10MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D200 was launched 4 years prior to the D3000 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D200 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon D3000 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the D200 grades against the D3000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D200 and Nikon D3000. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D200 Gallery and Nikon D3000 Gallery.

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D200 features physical measurements of 147mm x 113mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 2.9") having a weight of 920 grams (2.03 lbs) and the Nikon D3000 has specifications of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs).

See the Nikon D200 and Nikon D3000 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the D200 versus the D3000.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D200 and D3000 is 55 and 69 respectively.

Often, its difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The graphic below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D200 and D3000.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you have to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The older D200 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.