Nikon D200 vs Sony RX10 II

The Nikon D200 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in November 2005 and June 2015. The D200 is a DSLR, while the RX10 II is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D200) and an one-inch (RX10 II) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 10 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Nikon D200		Sony RX10 II
Digital single lens reflex		Fixed lens compact camera
Nikon F mount lenses		24-200mm f/2.8
10 MP, APS-C Sensor		20 MP, 1" Sensor
no Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)		ISO 100-12,800 (64 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
2.5 LCD, 230k dots		3.0 LCD, 1229k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second		14 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
400 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
147 x 113 x 74 mm, 920 g		129 x 88 x 102 mm, 813 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D200 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II? 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.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D200 and the Sony RX10 II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX10 II is considerably smaller (32 percent) than the Nikon D200. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX10 II has a lens built in, whereas the D200 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the D200 and their specifications in the Nikon Lens Catalog.

The power pack in the RX10 II can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon D200	147 mm	113 mm	74 mm	920 g	400	Y	Nov 2005	1,699
2.		Sony RX10 II	129 mm	88 mm	102 mm	813 g	400	Y	Jun 2015	1,299
3.		Canon 80D	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199
4.		Canon G3 X	123 mm	77 mm	105 mm	733 g	300	Y	Jun 2015	999
5.		Canon 30D	144 mm	106 mm	74 mm	785 g	750	n	Feb 2006	1,399
6.		Canon 20D	144 mm	106 mm	72 mm	770 g	700	n	Aug 2004	1,499
7.		Nikon D500	147 mm	115 mm	81 mm	860 g	1240	Y	Jan 2016	1,999
8.		Nikon D7000	132 mm	105 mm	77 mm	780 g	1050	Y	Sep 2010	1,499
9.		Nikon D300S	147 mm	115 mm	81 mm	938 g	950	Y	Jul 2009	1,799
10.		Nikon D300	147 mm	114 mm	74 mm	925 g	1000	Y	Aug 2007	1,799
11.		Nikon D2Xs	158 mm	150 mm	86 mm	1252 g	3800	Y	Jun 2006	4,699
12.		Nikon D80	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	668 g	600	n	Aug 2006	999
13.		Nikon D2X	158 mm	150 mm	86 mm	1252 g	3800	Y	Sep 2004	4,999
14.		Nikon D100	144 mm	116 mm	81 mm	780 g	370	n	Feb 2002	1,999
15.		Sony RX10 III	133 mm	94 mm	127 mm	1051 g	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499
16.		Sony RX10	129 mm	88 mm	102 mm	813 g	420	Y	Oct 2013	1,299
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The RX10 II was launched at a lower price than the D200, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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 imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D200 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony RX10 II an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the RX10 II is 69 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the RX10 II offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the D200. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 6.11μm for the D200). However, it should be noted that the RX10 II is much more recent (by 9 years and 7 months) than the D200, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Sony RX10 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the RX10 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D200 are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.2 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.5 x 10.4 inches or 39.3 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 12.9 x 8.6 inches or 32.8 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D200 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the RX10 II has a markedly higher DXO score than the D200 (overall score 6 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.7 bits higher color depth, 1.1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.1 stops of reduced low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Nikon D200	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.5	583	64
2.		Sony RX10 II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.0	12.6	531	70
3.		Canon 80D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.2	1135	79
4.		Canon G3 X	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	21.4	12.3	521	63
5.		Canon 30D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.5	10.8	736	59
6.		Canon 20D	APS-C	8.2	3504	2336	none	21.9	11.0	721	62
7.		Nikon D500	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.0	14.0	1324	83
8.		Nikon D7000	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	10800/24p	23.5	13.9	1167	80
9.		Nikon D300S	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.5	12.2	787	70
10.		Nikon D300	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.1	12.0	679	67
11.		Nikon D2Xs	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.2	10.9	489	59
12.		Nikon D80	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.1	11.2	524	61
13.		Nikon D2X	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.1	10.9	476	59
14.		Nikon D100	APS-C	6.0	3008	2000	none	..	..	..	..
15.		Sony RX10 III	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	23.1	12.6	472	70
16.		Sony RX10	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	1080/60p	22.9	12.6	474	69

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The RX10 II indeed provides for movie recording, while the D200 does not. The highest resolution format that the RX10 II can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX10 II has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), while the D200 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the RX10 II offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D200 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the RX10 II has a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D200 and Sony RX10 II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Nikon D200	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
2.		Sony RX10 II	2359	Y	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/3200s	14.0	Y	Y
3.		Canon 80D	optical	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
4.		Canon G3 X	optional	n	3.2	1620	tilting	Y	1/2000s	5.9	Y	Y
5.		Canon 30D	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
6.		Canon 20D	optical	Y	1.8	118	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
7.		Nikon D500	optical	Y	3.2	2359	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	n
8.		Nikon D7000	optical	Y	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	Y	n
9.		Nikon D300S	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
10.		Nikon D300	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	Y	n
11.		Nikon D2Xs	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
12.		Nikon D80	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
13.		Nikon D2X	optical	Y	2.5	235	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
14.		Nikon D100	optical	Y	1.8	118	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
15.		Sony RX10 III	2359	Y	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/2000s	14.0	Y	Y
16.		Sony RX10	1440	Y	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0	Y	Y

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the RX10 II is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

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.

The D200 writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the RX10 II uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

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 Nikon D200 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Nikon D200	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Sony RX10 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon 80D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon G3 X	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon 30D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 20D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
7.		Nikon D500	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	Y	Y
8.		Nikon D7000	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Nikon D300S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Nikon D300	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Nikon D2Xs	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Nikon D80	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Nikon D2X	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon D100	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
15.		Sony RX10 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony RX10	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the RX10 II offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D200 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D200 (unlike the RX10 II) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D200 and the RX10 II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The D200 was replaced by the Nikon D300, while the RX10 II was followed by the Sony RX10 III. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Nikon and Sony websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D200 or the Sony RX10 II – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Nikon D200:

• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/3200s) to freeze action.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in November 2005).

Arguments in favor of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 10MP), which boosts linear resolution by 41%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (6 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.1 EV of extra DR).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.63x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1229k vs 230k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the D200 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (129x88mm vs 147x113mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the D200).
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 9 years and 7 months of technical progress since the D200 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX10 II is the clear winner of the contest (21 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D200 and the Sony RX10 II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings 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 partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the D200 or the RX10 II. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews 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], 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon D200	..	+ +	+ +	o	..	Nov 2005	1,699
2.		Sony RX10 II	5/5	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2015	1,299
3.		Canon 80D	4/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199
4.		Canon G3 X	3.5/5	+	..	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2015	999
5.		Canon 30D	..	+ +	+ +	o	..	Feb 2006	1,399
6.		Canon 20D	..	..	+ +	..	..	Aug 2004	1,499
7.		Nikon D500	5/5	+ +	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2016	1,999
8.		Nikon D7000	4/5	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	1,499
9.		Nikon D300S	5/5	+ +	82/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2009	1,799
10.		Nikon D300	..	+ +	+ +	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,799
11.		Nikon D2Xs	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2006	4,699
12.		Nikon D80	..	+	+ +	o	4.5/5	Aug 2006	999
13.		Nikon D2X	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2004	4,999
14.		Nikon D100	..	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2002	1,999
15.		Sony RX10 III	5/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499
16.		Sony RX10	5/5	+	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	1,299
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes 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: Nikon D200 vs Sony RX10 II

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.

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