Would a newer camera get me anything? I use a Nikon D200. > 10 years old. Works fine I am a competent amateur. Shoot for fun. Display photos on an 8 X 10 digital picture frame in my...

iamimdoc

I use a Nikon D200. > 10 years old. Works fine

I am a competent amateur. Shoot for fun. Display photos on an 8 X 10 digital picture frame in my office for folks to look at (MD office)
Any prints I make anymore (rare) are 8X10 or less
No sports
No video
Do some pics of grandchild but mainly I do photo on travels (go to the UK for family), flowers, landscape, architecture, some macro work

Does spending up to $2000.00 (or less) for a new camera get me anything for what I do?

My sense is that this is money not well.

Thanks

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I had a D200 a long time ago and it was a perfectly fine camera as long as you have enough light. Great for outdoor shots. Indoors without flash, not so much.

The newer bodies do much better with reduced light. Not really much of a problem for landscapes or flowers but a lot of family photos get taken indoors where you could benefit from higher ISO settings.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Considering that it still works and gives you good photos you should be fine. The need to upgrade to a newer camera would be based on if your need to enlarge your photos bigger than 8X10 you might see some difference with say a 24Mp vs. your 10.2Mp. I still use a 12Mp d5000 but I had it converted to an infrared camera and I still get greats shots from it and it's a lot of fun to use.

mleuck

Yes, you would be better off with a newer camera.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

iamimdoc wrote:

I use a Nikon D200. > 10 years old. Works fine ... (show quote)

I love the expression, "If it's not broke, why fix it" My suggestion is stick with what you have and do with it. Too many people have GAS. Gear Acquisition Syndrome .Always looking for an excuse to buy.
In your situation, when things change as to what you want to do with it, get a new camera.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

iamimdoc wrote:

I use a Nikon D200. > 10 years old. Works fine ... (show quote)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You'll be surprised what new lenses can do for an old camera. But, if you've been challenged in low light or wish you could crop into an image further, here's two areas a new camera really makes a difference. But seriously, think about a lens first if looking to add new life to your photography with a very capable older camera model.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

WayneT wrote:

Considering that it still works and gives you good photos you should be fine. The need to upgrade to a newer camera would be based on if your need to enlarge your photos bigger than 8X10 you might see some difference with say a 24Mp vs. your 10.2Mp. I still use a 12Mp d5000 but I had it converted to an infrared camera and I still get greats shots from it and it's a lot of fun to use.

I'm still using a Canon T1i and an Sony H1.
They work for what I need, why replace them?

AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire

I think my answer is a combination of the opinions before me. I had the D- 200 . If you're happy with it, stick with what you have. Problem is you don't know what you're missing. There have been many upgrades in the past 10 years. Yes it's the photographer and not the camera to a point, but much higher iso's, faster focusing, and improved metering could make shooting more pleasurable.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

If you see a need for a new camera and can afford it, then definitely get a new camera. It's your choice and your money to do with as you please. A new camera will give you functionality an older one may not and this could open new pathways for you to follow on your photo journeys. As far as I can tell, GAS is an acronym used often by many who can't afford better gear. Discouraging someone who can afford new gear is a disservice to the photography community in general because if the camera manufacturers don't sell products, they loose incentive to design newer better products and lower the cost of current products.

CO

Sensors and processors have improved a lot. I went on the DxO labs sensor comparison site and loaded the D200 and Nikon's current top DX camera, the D500. The difference in performance is significant. The chart below is for dynamic range. The D500 (orange line) has a dynamic range that is 2 to 3-1/2 stops greater than the D200 (red line). You would capture more highlight and shadow detail. I used to shoot with a D300s. I was disappointed that shadow areas would often "block up" and be void of detail. I now have a D500. It's retains much more detail.

The lower chart is signal to noise ratio. The D500 has a higher signal to noise ratio.

The new D7500 has the same sensor as the D500 and essentially the same image quality.

Orange line - D500. Red line - D200

(Download)

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

iamimdoc wrote:

I use a Nikon D200. > 10 years old. Works fine ... (show quote)

It would give you newer technology and more bells and whistles. My personal opinion is that if you are happy with what you have, unless there is something that you don't have that you want or need, don't change. I use a Df which is 5 years old and I haven't been tempted by the newer cameras because I am very happy with what I have.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

iamimdoc wrote:

I use a Nikon D200. > 10 years old. Works fine ... (show quote)

If you continue to be happy with the images that you're getting from your current gear, and you're not longing to be able to do something that your camera does not do well or can not do it all, then you've answered your own question.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

mwsilvers wrote:

If you continue to be happy with the images that you're getting from your current gear, and you're not longing to be able to do something that your camera does not do well or can not do it all, then you've answered your own question.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Does $2,000 represent a "lot" of money for you? Would spending it for camera gear prevent you from buying something else you need or want? I was extremely happy with my first dslr for four years: an 8 mp Canon Rebel (and I printed several 20x30 posters I loved), one CF card, one battery, one lens (kit 18-55 mm).

One other, perhaps small, consideration: a new camera requires getting used to different locations of buttons, knobs and menus. Are you readily adaptable to change?