Operation and controls
Top of camera controls

Most of the D5200's main shooting controls are arranged on the top plate. The main power switch is especially well-placed around the silver-coloured shutter button. The prominent exposure mode dial gives access to the usual range of automated and manual modes, so you can either leave the camera on full auto to make all its own decisions, or take as much control over exposure settings as you like.
The thumb dial on the back of the camera is used to change exposure settings in the PSAM modes. Holding down the +/- button behind the shutter release and turning the dial allows you set exposure compensation or the aperture value in manual mode. The 'info' button turns the rear screen information display on and off.
Beside the mode dial is a sprung lever which sets the camera to Live view mode, allowing you to compose your shots on the rear screen rather than in the viewfinder. At this point the red movie record button becomes active. The other top plate button sets the drive mode - you can choose from single, continuous (5 or 3 fps), self-timer (with both the delay and number of shots configurable), and infra-red remote release mode. Nikon's 'Q' quiet mode is also available: this delays the mirror return until you release the shutter button, and also turns off operational beeps and the autofocus illuminator.
The autoexposure/autofocus lock button (AE-L/AF-L) beside the rear dial is configurable. It can be set to lock either focus or exposure, or both together. It can also be used as AF-ON to activate autofocus entirely independently from the shutter button, which can be particularly useful when photographing sports or action.
Rear Controls

The back of the D5200 is dominated by the large articulated LCD screen, with buttons peppered around it. The Menu button is isolated on the top left shoulder, but all of the others can be operated using your right thumb without moving your hand from the shooting position.
The '[i]' button to the right of the viewfinder 'activates' the rear screen, and allows you to change the settings arrayed underneath the virtual dials. The playback button is placed at the upper right of the monitor, and below it is the four-way controller that's used to navigate menus and settings, with a central OK button to confirm changes. The controller also - very conveniently - moves the autofocus point around the frame while shooting, with a press of 'OK' resetting it to the centre of the frame.
Towards the bottom of the body are the magnification buttons, that can be used to check detail in playback mode, and zoom into the live view display to check focus. The lower one doubles as a help ('?') key - pressing it displays snippets on information about the currently-selected setting or menu item. Beside these is the delete key for getting rid of unwanted images and movies.
Front Controls

The D5200 has just two controls on the front, above the lens release. The flash button is multi-mode, which is a nice touch. Pressing it releases the built-in flash, holding it down and spinning the rear dial sets the flash mode, while holding down the +/- button at the same time allows you to set flash exposure compensation (allowing you to dial-down the output if it's too bright). This is all easier than it might at first sound.
The Fn button below it is customisable, and offers a range of settings, which are listed below:
D5200 Fn button options |
|
|---|---|
| • Image quality/size • ISO sensitivity • White balance • Active D-Lighting • HDR (High dynamic range mode) • + NEF (RAW) • AF-area mode |
• Live View • AE-AF lock • AE lock only • AE lock (Hold) • AF lock only • AF-ON |
It's worth noting that the Fn button is the only direct way way of setting the White Balance or ISO (although you can also use the rear control screen). But with the D5200's improved Auto ISO program, this at least is something you can now plausibly leave to the camera most of the time. The last five options replicate those available on the AE-L button, so in principle you can use Fn as Autoexposure lock or AF-ON (although it's pretty inconveniently-placed for this).
As on previous models, the Fn button's close proximity to the flash button, coupled with it's identical size and feel, means it's all-too-easy to find yourself inadvertently releasing the flash by mistake when shooting with the camera to your eye.







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