UK Latest SLR or D - SLR Camera. Best out at the moment D80, D2X, D200 or D70?

Question

With technology changing and new ones coming out all the time. What is the best camera out at the moment.

Looking at the Nikon D40, D200, also the D80, D2X and older D70 .... What's value for money and could be used as both professional "eg" Forensics Photography and/or personal use.

The prices seem to range anything from £400 up to approximately £900 Uk price.

Do we need to pay this amount to get the best?

D SLR better than SLR?

Answer 1

The D200 seems to be the middle ground: it's good enough for several pro photographers as a main body, and it makes a great second body to a D2x.
As a bonus for forensics photography, the D200 firmware has 'image authentication', which enables the verification of the authenticity of images. I don't think the D40/ 70/ 80 have this feature (yet).
Regarding image quality, the D80 is just as good as the D200. The main advantages of the D200 are it's fantastic build quality, better control layout, and 5 FPS vs. 3.
Even the D40 and D70 take great pictures, albeit at 'just' 6 megapixels vs. 10. I wouldn't consider these models for professional use however. Not anymore.
I list two review sites in my profile information if you want to read in-depth reviews for any of these models.

Answer 2

I'll agree with OMG, as usual. Since you are listing models, though, you left out the D2Xs, which is the current version of the D2X. And the D70s.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d70%2Cnikon_d70s%2Cnikon_d80%2Cnikon_d2x%2Cnikon_d2xs%2Cnikon_d200&show=all

I'd get the D200 for the reasons OMG stated, especially the image autnetication.

Answer 3

www.dpreview.com has conducted exhaustive tests on all these cameras. Go there and decide for yourself.

As for DSLR vs. SLR, go here: http://www.clarkvision.com/imagedetail/index.html