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Canon D30 vs Nikon D200

The Canon EOS-D30 and the Nikon D200 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in May 2000 and November 2005. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 3.1 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon D30
versus
Nikon D200
Canon D30   Nikon D200
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
3.1 MP – APS-C sensor 10 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 100-1,600 ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
1.8" LCD – 114k dots 2.5" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
540 shots per battery charge400 shots per battery charge
150 x 107 x 75 mm, 750 g 147 x 113 x 74 mm, 920 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-D30 and the Nikon D200? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon D30 and the Nikon D200 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon D30 vs Nikon D200
Compare D30 versus D200 top
Comparison D30 or D200 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D200 is somewhat larger (3 percent) than the Canon D30. Moreover, the D200 is markedly heavier (23 percent) than the D30. It is noteworthy in this context that the D200 is splash and dust-proof, while the D30 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (D30) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D200).

Concerning battery life, the D30 gets 540 shots out of its Canon BP-511 battery, while the D200 can take 400 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL3e power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon D30 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 750 g 540 n May 2000 2,999ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D200 147 mm 113 mm 74 mm 920 g 400 Y Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T7 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 475 g 500 n Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SL2 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 453 g 650 n Jun 2017 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon T7i 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 532 g 600 n Feb 2017 749ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 30D 144 mm 106 mm 74 mm 785 g 750 n Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 20D 144 mm 106 mm 72 mm 770 g 700 n Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 10D 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 850 g 500 n Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Canon Rebel 142 mm 99 mm 72 mm 649 g 400 n Aug 2003 899ebay.com
12.
 
Canon D60 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 855 g 620 n Feb 2002 2,999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D2Xs 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D2X 158 mm 150 mm 86 mm 1252 g 3800 Y Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D100 144 mm 116 mm 81 mm 780 g 370 n Feb 2002 1,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D200 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 43 percent) than the D30, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D200 is 14 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (D30) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon D30 and Nikon D200 sensor measures

With 10MP, the D200 offers a higher resolution than the D30 (3.1MP), but the D200 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.11μm versus 10.29μm for the D30). Yet, the D200 is a much more recent model (by 5 years and 5 months) than the D30, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D200 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D200 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.2 x 32.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 15.5 x 10.4 inches or 39.3 x 26.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 12.9 x 8.6 inches or 32.8 x 21.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon D30 are 10.8 x 7.2 inches or 27.4 x 18.3 cm for good quality, 8.6 x 5.8 inches or 21.9 x 14.6 cm for very good quality, and 7.2 x 4.8 inches or 18.3 x 12.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS-D30 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D200 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.

In terms of underlying technology, the D30 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the D200 uses a CCD imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D30 versus D200 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon D30 APS-C 3.1 2160 1440none........
2.
 
Nikon D200 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.558364
3.
 
Canon T7 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p23.813.3168481
4.
 
Canon SL2 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.4104179
5.
 
Canon T7i APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.713.1158680
6.
 
Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.2113579
7.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
8.
 
Canon 30D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.510.873659
9.
 
Canon 20D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.911.072162
10.
 
Canon 10D APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.110.957157
11.
 
Canon Rebel APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.010.854455
12.
 
Canon D60 APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none20.39.830147
13.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
14.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
15.
 
Nikon D2Xs APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.210.948959
16.
 
Nikon D2X APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.110.947659
17.
 
Nikon D100 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.49.939448
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Neither the D30 nor the D200 offer Live View, so that they cannot project the live image that the sensor receives onto the rear screen. Moreover, both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D30 and the D200 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the D200 has a higher magnification than the one of the D30 (0.63x vs 0.54x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon D30 and Nikon D200 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon D30optical Y1.8 / 114 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Nikon D200optical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon T7optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon SL2optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon T7ioptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 30Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Canon 20Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 10Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon Rebeloptical n1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
12.
 
Canon D60optical Y1.8 / 114 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D2Xsoptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
16.
 
Nikon D2Xoptical Y2.5 / 235 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
17.
 
Nikon D100optical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The Nikon D200 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D30 and the D200 write their files to Compact Flash cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS-D30 and Nikon D200 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon D30Y- / ----1.0---
2.
 
Nikon D200Y- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon T7Ymono / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon SL2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
5.
 
Canon T7iYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
6.
 
Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
7.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Canon 30DY- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Canon 20DY- / ----1.1---
10.
 
Canon 10DY- / ----1.1---
11.
 
Canon RebelY- / ----1.1---
12.
 
Canon D60Y- / ----1.1---
13.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
14.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
15.
 
Nikon D2XsY- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Nikon D2XY- / ----2.0---
17.
 
Nikon D100Y- / ----1.1---
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Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the D30 and the D200 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D30 was replaced by the Canon D60, while the D200 was followed by the Nikon D300. Further information on the features and operation of the D30 and D200 can be found, respectively, in the Canon D30 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D200 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Canon D30 better than the Nikon D200 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Canon EOS-D30:

  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 170g or 18 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (540 versus 400) on a single battery charge.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in May 2000).

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Reasons to prefer the Nikon D200:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (10 vs 3.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 79%.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.63x vs 0.54x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (2.5" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (230k vs 114k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (2.0 vs 1.0).
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (43 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 5 years and 5 months of technical progress since the D30 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D200 is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 3 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D30 03:11 D200

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon D30 and the Nikon D200 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D30 or the D200 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon D30......+ +.... May 2000 2,999ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D200..+ +..+ +o.. Nov 2005 1,699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon T7..o3.5/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 449 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SL24/5+ +4/578/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2017 549ebay.com
5.
 
Canon T7i4.5/5..3.5/580/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 749ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 30D..+ +..+ +o.. Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 20D......+ +.... Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 10D......+ +.... Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Canon Rebel......+ +.... Aug 2003 899ebay.com
12.
 
Canon D60......+ +o.. Feb 2002 2,999ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D2Xs............ Jun 2006 4,699ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D2X......+ +.... Sep 2004 4,999ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D100......+ +o.. Feb 2002 1,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon D30 vs Nikon D200

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon D30 Nikon D200
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date May 2000 November 2005
    Launch Price USD 2,999 USD 1,699
    Sensor Specs Canon D30 Nikon D200
    Sensor Technology CMOS CCD
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.0 x 14.9 mm 23.6 x 15.8 mm
    Sensor Area 327.8 mm2 372.88 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.6 mm 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 3.1 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 2160 x 1440 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 10.29 μm 6.11 μm
    Pixel Density 0.95 MP/cm2 2.69 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 3,200 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 64
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 22.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 11.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 583
    Screen Specs Canon D30 Nikon D200
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.54x 0.63x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    Rear LCD Size 1.8inch 2.5inch
    LCD Resolution 114k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon D30 Nikon D200
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Canon D30 Nikon D200
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 1.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Canon D30 Nikon D200
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Canon BP-511 Nikon EN-EL3e
    Battery Life (CIPA)540 shots per charge400 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 150 x 107 x 75 mm
    (5.9 x 4.2 x 3.0 in)
    147 x 113 x 74 mm
    (5.8 x 4.4 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 750 g (26.5 oz) 920 g (32.5 oz)
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