Review based on a production Nikon D5200 with firmware 1.00
As Nikon's 'advanced beginner' DSLR, the D5200 sits between the entry-level D3200 and the enthusiast-targeted D7100 in the company's most recent APS-C lineup. The D5200 offers 24MP resolution (like its APS-C stablemates), an articulated rear LCD and more physical controls than the D3200, but without the twin-dial interface and professional grade AF system of the decidedly higher market (and much more customizeable) D7100.
On the outside, the D5200 is virtually identical to its predecessor, the D5100, with external changes limited to a dedicated drive mode button on the D5200's top plate, stereo microphone grills atop the pentamirror - like on the Canon EOS 650D - and a slightly redesigned rear multi selector. The D5200's more significant upgrades lie 'under the hood'. Impressively, many of these are inherited from higher-end Nikon DSLRs, including a 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors and ample frame coverage, and a 2016 pixel RGB color-sensitive metering sensor, both taken from the D7000. The D5200 borrows from the D7100 a well-implemented Auto ISO feature that is tied to the lens' current focal length.
Although the D5200 shares the same 24MP resolution as both the D3200 and D7100, the D5200 offers a higher extended ISO range compared to the D3200 (25600 vs 12800) and faster continuous shooting (5 fps vs 4). And the D5200, unlike the D7100, continues to use an anti-aliasing (AA) filter, although as we demonstrated in a side by side comparison in our D7100 review, it gives up precious little in terms of detail to its more expensive big brother.
For video shooters, the D5200 can record Full HD 1920 x 1080 movies at up to 60i or 50i (when set to NTSC and PAL respectively), although this uses a central crop of the sensor area. More conventional 30p, 25p and 24p modes use the full width of the sensor. In manual mode you have the option to take limited control of both shutter speed and ISO, but not aperture. And a stereo sound meter lets you adjust the level of either the built-in or or external mic, such as the optional ME-1 stereo mics.
The D5200 gets a processing boost over its predecessor. Nikon touts its EXPEED 3-branded processor as offering higher speed, better color reproduction and improved noise reduction. The D5200 also has an updated, cleaner design to the on-screen user interface that presents more information in a more-logical layout. This is welcome on a small camera with relatively few external controls since much of the user interaction is, by necessity, via the rear screen (and lots of button pressing).
The D5200 also supports Nikon's WU-1a Wi-Fi unit, which plugs into the camera's accessory terminal and allows images to be transmitted wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet for uploading to social media. The device can also be used as a remote control for the camera, complete with Live View.
In the table below you can see how the major specifications of the D5200 compare against the D5100.
| Nikon D5200 | Nikon D5100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor resolution (type) | 24MP CMOS | 16MP CMOS |
| Autofocus System | 39 AF points (9 cross-type) | 11 AF points (1 cross-type) |
| ISO sensitivity range | 100-6400 (H1 and H2 expansion up to 25,600 equiv) |
|
| Display size / resolution | Articulated 3", 920k-dot LCD |
|
| Maximum framerate (DX mode) | 5 fps | 4 fps |
| Movie Mode | 1080 60i/30p | 1080/30p |
| Battery life (CIPA) | 500 shots | 660 shots |
| Dimensions | 129 x 98 x 78 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in) |
127 x 97 x 79 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 in) |
| Weight (without battery) | 505 g (1 lb, 2 oz) | 560 g (1 lb, 4 oz) |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).
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Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2013 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.
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Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black) | $996.95 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Bronze) | $796.95 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Red) | $796.95 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black) | $796.95 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera Body Only (Black) | $696.95 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black) | $796.95 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera Body Only (Black) | $696.95 |
Focus Camera Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Black) with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR and 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX NIKKOR Zoom Lenses + EN-EL14 Battery + 10pc Bundle 32GB Deluxe Accessory Kit | $1,029.00 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black) | $996.95 |
Focus Camera Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Black) with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens and Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens with built in motor + 10pc Bundle 32GB Deluxe Accessory Kit | $954.00 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Red) | $796.95 |
Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Bronze) | $796.95 |
Nikon D3200 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black) | $546.95 |
Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens (Black) with 55-300mm VR Lens + 64GB Card + Battery + Case + Tripod + Tele/Wide Lenses + Remote + Accessory Kit | $1,144.95 |
Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens (Black) with 55-200mm VR + 500mm Telephoto Lens + 32GB Card + Backpack + Tele/Wide Lenses + Monopod + Accessory Kit | $1,089.95 |
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