To compare real-life performance we shot the same scene with both the Nikon D200 and D2X using the 17-55mm f2.8 lens within moments of each other. The cameras were set to their best quality JPEG settings (Large, Fine and optimised for quality), the metering set to Matrix and the aperture set to f8 using Aperture Priority mode.
Both cameras were also set to their default sharpening and tone options: for the D200, Optimise Image was set to Normal, while the D2X was set to A for Image Sharpening and Tone Compensation.
The image above was taken with the Nikon D200 using the 17-55mm at 38mm (equivalent to 57mm); the original JPEG measured 5.37MB. The crops below are taken from a portion on the far right side of the originals and presented here at 100 per cent.
Nikon D2X with Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 G ED - 1/320, f8, 100 ISO
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 G ED - 1/250, f8, 100 ISO
The crops clearly show the D200 applying greater sharpening for this composition with its Optimise Image setting at Normal than the D2X did with its Image Sharpening set to A (Automatic), but even with that taken into consideration, both images recorded very similar levels of detail. The D2X image of course has more pixels, but in real terms there's little difference.
For the complete D200 outdoor, resolution and noise-level results, visit Camera Labs here
The following images were taken with the Nikon D200 using the Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 G ED lens. Each image was recorded using the Large Fine JPEG mode, optimised for quality rather than size. The D200 was set to Matrix metering and its Optimise Image parameter set to the default Normal for sharpening, tone, colour, saturation and hue.
For the full set of D200 sample images, along with detail crops, visit Camera Labs here
Next page: Verdict
