Nikon D200

[Cardamom Pod]

I would like to upgrade from a Canon Powershot S2 IS to a dslr. The nikon
d300 looks like an excellent choice for bird photography, but it is out of my price range. Would the d200 take sharp images and be a good bird photography camera for me? Thanks!

[RJM]

Guess it depends on the D200 price, but the new D5000 would still be a better camera.

[1deybreak]

have you looked at the canon xsi. This is what I use for sports and vent photography for the local newspaper as well as my bird photos. Also compare lens prices when looking at Nikon vs Canon as a telephoto will probably be your next purchase.

[seaspirit]

Guess it depends on the D200 price, but the new D5000 would still be a better camera.

I question that the D5000 would be the "better" camera for the purpose.
Sure it's about 2 generations younger than the D200 and image quality etc. has come a long way since yesterday, but grandfather and grandchild play still in different leagues.
The D5000 (and AFAIK the Canon mentioned above is in the same market bracket) is a entry level DSLR with a lot of controls missing or only accessible via the menue that are present or easy and quick to access via designated buttons in "higher" level models (D90, D200, D300). And a number of those missing or hard to access controls are in my eyes essential for wildlife photographers (quick change of AF mode, change of metering mode, change of ISO). The D90 would be more of a contender than the D5000 to replace or substitute a D200.
The D200 was and is still used by a lot of people making great photos, so if the price is right it is certainly still an option.
However, if there no existing reasons (i.e. lenses, and those are the main factor for image quality) to go the Nikon way, I wouldn't dismiss Canon or even Sony as options. Heck, in your situation I would go and find the best (2nd hand) lens I like and can afford and buy a matching body (maybe 2nd hand as well) for it.

Ulli

[Duke Leto]

Agree, if you're gonna buy a good quality 2nd hand lens, I would find the best priced lens and then match a body. there's plenty of choice in the 2nd hand market, but I would stick to Nikon or Canon as the accessories are far more abundant