Nikon D200 Vs. Canon EOS 5D?

Question

Hi there, I'm considering the purchase of one of the above and was wondering how people felt about one verses the other.

Which has better metering and optics? Which has better resolution? Color reproduction? Which performs more cleanly at higher ISOs (since I'll be doing 75% of my shooting in low-light situations and will thus be up around 800-1600 much of the time).

I was leaning toward the D200 (I've been a Nikon user for years), but wouldn't want pass up the Canon if it were truly that much wiser an investment...

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Thanks for all the feedback thus far. I appreciate all of your responses; they've all been most helpful.

A couple of details I'd like to add, just in case:

- I only own 1 Nikkor lens - a 16mm 2.8D. The rest are either Tamron or Sigma, and I don't exactly hold those dear. Point being that I would be purchasing at least a couple of new pro lenses whether I choose the D200 or the 5D.

- At the risk of repeating myself, I would basically be using the DSLR for shooting stage performances - plays/concerts/clubs - and occasional impromptu portrait sessions. All of which would be going to print in magazines, newspapers, etc. So whichever camera would yield the best images under those circumstances is the one I'd be after.

- I'd forgotten to ask about the flash systems. Is one better/more versatile/more advanced than the other or are they both about equal?

Thanks again!

Answer 1

I am devoted to my D200, but if you are choosing between these two cameras - especially for low light - I'd take the Canon 5D. This is coming from a guy who has owned at least 8 Nikon digital cameras, too, so you know it's saying a lot. I'll leave all of our Canon guru's too tell you the fine points of the 5D, because they deserve a chance to shine.

I mean, it costs twice as much, but as long as you can get over that, it's a better camera.

Check out this comparison page. Click on "In-depth review" and "Read Owner Opinions" for each camera. Be sure to note that the reviews are many pages long so you don't stop after page one. Check the sample images, also. You can enlarge these to full size images if you click on the link below the picture. You will have to then put your cursor in the white space to the right of the picture and click once. After that, you can pass your cursor over the image and it will turn into a magnifier. Click it as a magnifier once and the image will go to full size and you can really examine the detail or look for artifacts like fringing or noise.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos5d%2Cnikon_d200&show=all

Here's a great comparison that was written just for you:

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Nikon-D200-vs-Canon-EOS-5D-Head-to-Head-Review-.htm [Note the navigation menu near the top of the review]

Answer 2

Hi Seth,

Funny how you can get both some serious advice (from Dr. Sam) and a lot of fanboys that bring up issues that nobody really cares about (like SpaceCowboy; dust comes in when you change lenses, not through the body, fanboy).

You're trying to compare two completely different beasts here. Amazingly the camera in Canon's lineup that better compares to the D200 is he 30D, but since it has an 8 Megapixel sensor it's price has dropped to the level of the D80.

If you're heavily invested in Nikon glass there is really no reason to look elsewhere unless your shooting style is being limited by your equipment.

If you feel this is the case then go ahead and look, otherwise the sound advice is to stick to what you've got, switching SLR systems gets awfully expensive.

Finally on to the comparison... Like I said the D200 and 5D are completely different beasts. The 5D is a rather spartan camera as far as functions go, but it offers the best possible image quality for it's price point. It offers the cleanest images, highest resolution and highest ISO of all Canon's cameras except the 1Ds MkII. Some say the images are even cleaner at high ISO's than those from the 1Ds.

Canon's 5D image quality is better than ANY Nikon camera. Even the D2X can't touch it. It's that good.

Other than the new 1D MkIII, that's not available in stores yet, the 5D the best image quality you can get short of medium format digital cameras.

The D200 was the first consumer camera by Nikon that was competitive with Canon ever since they let Canon take the lead. It was a big statement by Nikon when it came out. Image quality is good, but high ISO performance isn't.

If you go the way of the 5D you will loose weather sealing (shoot in the rain often?) and 5 frames per second instead of 3 (if you shoot sports this could be a deal breaker).

If you go with the D200 you will save a bunch, but loose in image quality, usable high ISO images and the ability to use wide primes at large apertures (Nikon has nothing that lets you shoot at say 24 f/1.4 or 35 f/1.4 like Canon does).

Someone already pointed you to dpreview.com, I'm sure you'll be able to navigate your way around that site. It offers some side by side comparisons of the same scene that are real eye openers as far as image quality goes.

The word on the street is that the price of the 5D will drop significantly after PMA (March 8-11), if you decide to buy the 5D I would wait a few days to see if this rumor is true.

Finally, the 5D is not twice the price of the D200 if you order from B&H and use promotional code PSJAN07003 (type it in the search box).

Take care and hope this helps!

Ignacio

PS. Please, please, please, do not go into Ken Rockwell's site, the guy is a joke, he's the laughing stock of the photo community. He may make one or two valid comments, but Nikon would probably be better off without his reviews.

Answer 3

These are actually two very different cameras and you need to consider what you would be using the cameras for. The Canon 5D is a full frame camera. What this means is that it offers a full 35mm sized sensor which will not exhibit any "crop factor" (crop factor is basically a degree of zoom that is introduced depending on the size of the sensor used in the camera). For example, a 100mm lens on the 5D will give you exactly that, 100mm. But on a D200 with a 1.5x crop factor, the 100mm lens will behave like a 150mm lens. The smaller the sensor, the higher the crop factor. If you find that you would be more likely to shoot wide angle shots then the 5D would be more suited to you. If you're more into sports you may find the inherent crop factor of 1.5x in the D200 useful. The 5D is also significantly slower when it comes to continuous shooting, I believe it can only do 3 frames per second versus the D200's 5 frames per second. The full frame sensor will also offer better depth of field results as well as better sensitivity (this translates into pictures with less digital noise) over the D200 but the full frame sensor comes at a cost. The 5D comes in at almost $1000 more than the D200 depending on where you're buying it from. The debates over lenses can go on and on. Low end Canon lenses are as bad as low end Nikon lenses. High end AF-S Nikon lenses can be as good as the Canon L series lenses. Again I would look at exactly how you expect to use the camera and then look at each company's offering for that particular use. There's no "best" camera, its more about "which is best for YOU".

Answer 4

If you have glass invested in Nikon, then its probably a smarter idea to go with Nikon. The only thing that might be a turn off for you though is that the D200 is not a full frame sensor like the 5D. But if you do not need those really wide angle shots then it doesnt really matter.

Overall I would say the 5D has better ISO than the D200. Its sliky smooth pictures up to 3200ISO. But if you do switch over to Canon you will have to invest in new glass. Since it seems like a lot of low light, itll probably be the L lenses from Canon. Like the 70-200mm f/2.8 L lens or the 24-70mm f/2.8. The 24-70 is a beast, its heavy but hte quality is great.

I personally would stay with Nikon since you have glass invested in Nikon. Itll cost you less than to buy a Canon plus more lens you probably have in Nikon.

Flashes- Are you trying to compare Canon to Nikon flashes? Their pretty much the same. read the spects to find out the exact distance per flash unit. I dont know much about Nikon units but I know about Canons.

Answer 5

I've included two links that list the specs for each camera so you can compare the information. You may want to go into a camera store that would have these cameras on display so you can see how they feel in your hands. It sounds wierd, but sometimes the layout of the controls is a big factor.

Also keep in mind that since you're a Nikon user, your current lenses should be compatable with the D200, which is always a plus if it means you don't have to spend more for lenses :)

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Check out Ken Rockwell's site, www.KenRockwell.com . He plays around with both Nikon and Canon, he has some interesting comments about both manufacturers and where their strengths and weaknesses are. Look under "What's New" and "Technical". Personally, I've always used Nikon's and wanted to use some of my old lenses. But, if starting out fresh I might take a different view. I think it's swings and roundabouts at the end of the day, but Nikon may just edge Canon on optics.

Answer 7

One big difference between the two cameras doesn't show up in the specs, that's the camera sealing.

The 5D has had issues with dirt and dust causing serious issues. The D200 is better sealed.

If your environment is less than ideal, the Nikon makes better sense.

Answer 8

if you hate grains on pictures on higher ISO go for canon 20 D.. but if you are looking for fast speed.. then go for nikon but .. its really expensive to afford the lenses.

on the other hand canon gives you good quality lenses. with IS...

Answer 9

If you have Nikon optics, even it's older manual focus. I would go for the Nikon