Is the d5200 much of a difference on image quality as the canon t2i?

humblerob · Apr 1, 2013

Hello everyone. I've been looking to make an upgrade. I currently have the canon t2i. I take pictures of our kids, landscape (we live in a very beautiful area full of mountains, wildlife and other agriculture) and I also like putting together small little movies of things like birthday parties, seasons changes, boating trips, road trips, vacations, etc. We print our pictures on a pretty regular basis and we own and operate a very small clothing business in which we take product photos, modeled photos (not full studio setup or anything), and occasionally a photo for graphics on our website/facebook page.

So we definitely USE the camera a lot. I don't like to just stand straight up, look straight ahead and hit the trigger. I do like to get different angles and I'm always looking for some sort of fresh approach. (by no means am I a pro or anything, I just admire unique takes on normal things) I do lots of cropping and like the images to be very clear. Glass is important but we want to make sure we have a body that is capable to deliver the goods and step up to the clarity and sharpness plate when needed.

I have a budget of $1,000-ish dollars, maybe a little more depending on the camera. I was looking at the d5200 and wondering if it was much of a step above the t2i, which i currently have. There seem to be SO MANY opinions on cameras that it makes it harder to make a decision.

Maybe I shouldn't even waste my time on the d5200?

Here is where I could use some expert advice. Thank you very kindly for the words of wisdom in advance!

Cailean Gallimore · Apr 1, 2013

If you do a lot of cropping the 5200's higher resolution gives you more latitude for cropping, but the camera you have is not bad either...

photosen · Apr 1, 2013

Your own experience and handling of technique will make a much bigger impact than any camera, so there's something to be said for knowing your gear well.

The D5200 should have a few improvements, I'm thinking particularly in low light, maybe in autofocus; you need to decide if that warrants a change to another brand; it won't be a night and day improvement.

After your experience and technique the next biggest difference will be lenses; you should see which focal lengths respond better to your subjects, get the best Canon has to offer for those or see if Nikon has something particularly good there; only then should you contemplate a switch.

Honestly you should try a 50mm f1.4, 85mm 1.8, or 10-22, take a few shots and see if your jaw doesn't drop...

hirejn · Apr 1, 2013

I'm a Nikon guy but looking at the T2i specs I'd say you don't need an upgrade. A 10-megapixel camera and a cheap lens can produce sharp prints up to 20x30, if not larger. If you're not getting good images, try improving your photography and brush up on post-processing. It's not clear what you think a new camera will do to improve your photography. You can zoom or get closer to the subject to crop in camera, saving work in post and getting better file quality.

--
Joel Nisleit Photography
The best piece of camera gear is the one used by someone who understands photography.

trekkeruss · Apr 1, 2013

humblerob said:
humblerob wrote:

Hello everyone. I've been looking to make an upgrade. I currently have the canon t2i. I take pictures of our kids, landscape (we live in a very beautiful area full of mountains, wildlife and other agriculture) and I also like putting together small little movies of things like birthday parties, seasons changes, boating trips, road trips, vacations, etc. We print our pictures on a pretty regular basis and we own and operate a very small clothing business in which we take product photos, modeled photos (not full studio setup or anything), and occasionally a photo for graphics on our website/facebook page.

So we definitely USE the camera a lot. I don't like to just stand straight up, look straight ahead and hit the trigger. I do like to get different angles and I'm always looking for some sort of fresh approach. (by no means am I a pro or anything, I just admire unique takes on normal things) I do lots of cropping and like the images to be very clear. Glass is important but we want to make sure we have a body that is capable to deliver the goods and step up to the clarity and sharpness plate when needed.

Has the Canon not given you the sharpness and clarity you want? What lens(es) are you using? When you crop, what is the final size of the images you need? How are you processing your images...using the in-camera JPEGS, or RAW with processing out-of-camera?

humblerob said:
I have a budget of $1,000-ish dollars, maybe a little more depending on the camera. I was looking at the d5200 and wondering if it was much of a step above the t2i, which i currently have. There seem to be SO MANY opinions on cameras that it makes it harder to make a decision.

Maybe I shouldn't even waste my time on the d5200?

Probably not, But it depends on your answers to my questions.

Placation101 · Apr 1, 2013

Member said:
hirejn wrote:

I'm a Nikon guy but looking at the T2i specs I'd say you don't need an upgrade. A 10-megapixel camera and a cheap lens can produce sharp prints up to 20x30, if not larger. If you're not getting good images, try improving your photography and brush up on post-processing. It's not clear what you think a new camera will do to improve your photography. You can zoom or get closer to the subject to crop in camera, saving work in post and getting better file quality.

--
Joel Nisleit Photography
The best piece of camera gear is the one used by someone who understands photography.

the t2i has almost the same exact sensor as the t5i and the 7d so if that is your concern don't worry about it . I agree that you may not see much in a camera upgrade as you basically, sadly, still have the top of the line canon crop frame/ dx sensor which is plenty capable. I think you'd benefit more from nice lenses, those will also let you crop more because the picture will be of better quality and sharpness.

now if you want a more advanced body with more controls or better af then the d5200 may be the ticket. Or if you just want to switch to nikon the d5200 sensor is probably a bit of a step up in noise and image quality and crop ability. Not as much a difference as a nice lens over the kit IMO both in image quality and the ability to shoot at faster f-stops.

Kokopelli_Rocks · Apr 1, 2013

What Canon lenses do you currently have for your camera. If you are just using the Kit lens, then you would probably see a bigger improvement in your images buying better lenses than buying another camera with a Kit lens.

Also, to really help you make a choice you need to give us a little more detail on why you are unhappy with your current camera. How how do you see a new camera helping overcoming these issues.

steephill · Apr 1, 2013

If you are doing lots of cropping then either you are not getting close enough to your subject or your lens isn't a long enough focal length. Moving closer is much cheaper of course but not always possible so maybe a new lens is a better solution.

What lens are you using now? An example of an image you need to crop would also be informative.

Bjorn_L · Apr 1, 2013

humblerob said:
humblerob wrote:

I do lots of cropping and like the images to be very clear.

First to answer your question:

The d5200 will produce better image quality on the same level of lens as the t2i. It will make the difference more obvious shooting things like indoors without a flash or sports or other settings where you have to worry about higher ISO or the Canon's lessor dynamic range. The difference between these two is more about the other stuff then it is about pixel count. The Canon uses a very old sensor the Nikon uses a state of the art one. Also the d5200 has a more robust auto focus.

But those aren't what you are asking about. Your concern seems only to be with cropping. And buying a camera only because you can crop a little more seems a strange plan.

Why are you doing so much cropping? Are you not getting "close enough" or are you framing the shot badly?

Both are about different photographic errors. You always get as close as you can. Use a lens which gives you the "zoom" that you want. And as much as possible, try to nail the composition and framing you want.

I am not saying the d5200 is not worth it, but if you are getting a better camera because you want try to mask bad technique then you'd be better off not buying anything but working on your technique.

Unless of course you are unhappy only because your lens is not long enough. In which case the smart move is get a longer lens.

humblerob · Apr 1, 2013

Thank you for the responses. Yes...you're all right in saying that I could benefit from further 'in depth' learning/training on the how tos. I rely mainly on the auto features. Maybe I have just become too comfortable with them. I have followed some steps, particularly with sunsets, in which you do it manually and I found it confusing and the results not anywhere close to the auto settings. but I hear you....most likely just user error. Time is another issue with relying on auto features. It takes time to fiddle and tinker around with it and/or sometimes there is an amazing photo op and you just got to try and grab it.

3 lenses: kit(18-55), 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

I just wonder if I am missing out on more color depth, sharpness/clarity and overall capability from my camera body, even when just talking about results from strict use of auto features.

humblerob · Apr 1, 2013

I'm not an obsessive cropper or anything. Cropping was just an instance in which I wanted to ask if the t2i would be any different than the d5200 as far as being able to hold clarity better or not.

humblerob · Apr 1, 2013

There are some scenarios where I see a nice photo opportunity but don't necessarily have the time to set up a tripod, decipher the lens, angle, lighting, etc. It's an instinctual camera placement and a big reliance on the auto mode. In several of the outcomes, I've found a picture within a picture.

But you're all right. I should spend more time learning about the finer details of photography. It's not a sin to ask about which camera can capture more color depth, be crisper, maintain clarity better in AUTO MODE though right?

Maybe it is..please forgive me... haha

humblerob · Apr 1, 2013

3 lenses: kit(18-55), 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Soft and glowy faces in portraits. That's my biggest 'complaint' that I see coming out of the t2i. I'm not just basing that my own pictures either.

humblerob · Apr 2, 2013

I'm not a cropping monster or anything. There are just situations where there is a great photo within a photo. Sometimes accidental. Often times the main subject in the picture remains the focused point but when cropped it loses clarity. I'm not trying to blow up a tiny spec into a poster sized picture or anything either.

for example

I stopped on the way to work to grab a couple photos of this tractor out plowing in a nearby field. I had about 5 minutes to jump out and take a few. Relied only on auto focus and the tractor was the focus point the whole time. One particular photo overall was decent but I found that when I cropped a section of it, it was very nice. (for me to enjoy..others may not agree)

maybe i am just too unreasonable with the whole clarity thing.

but back to the original question. Would a d5200 be much of an improvement as far as the body goes, (sensor, color depth, etc) from a t2i or should I be looking at something else in my price range?

Working on technique and skills is planned either way, no matter which camera. I was just curious about upgrading the body.

beagle1 · Apr 2, 2013

humblerob said:
humblerob wrote:

Hello everyone. I've been looking to make an upgrade. I currently have the canon t2i. I take pictures of our kids, landscape (we live in a very beautiful area full of mountains, wildlife and other agriculture) and I also like putting together small little movies of things like birthday parties, seasons changes, boating trips, road trips, vacations, etc. We print our pictures on a pretty regular basis and we own and operate a very small clothing business in which we take product photos, modeled photos (not full studio setup or anything), and occasionally a photo for graphics on our website/facebook page.

So we definitely USE the camera a lot. I don't like to just stand straight up, look straight ahead and hit the trigger. I do like to get different angles and I'm always looking for some sort of fresh approach. (by no means am I a pro or anything, I just admire unique takes on normal things) I do lots of cropping and like the images to be very clear. Glass is important but we want to make sure we have a body that is capable to deliver the goods and step up to the clarity and sharpness plate when needed.

I have a budget of $1,000-ish dollars, maybe a little more depending on the camera. I was looking at the d5200 and wondering if it was much of a step above the t2i, which i currently have. There seem to be SO MANY opinions on cameras that it makes it harder to make a decision.

Maybe I shouldn't even waste my time on the d5200?

Here is where I could use some expert advice. Thank you very kindly for the words of wisdom in advance!

here is some advice:

Bring an SD memory card to a store like Best Buy, Costco, Target etc. and try the models out. They will let you operate all cameras and you can save the pics on your memory card that you brought in. You can select different lens (select RAW and JPG) and view them later. You probably find that Canon has the best image quality but go to the store and see for yourself

Leonard Migliore · Apr 2, 2013

humblerob said:
humblerob wrote:

I'm not a cropping monster or anything. There are just situations where there is a great photo within a photo. Sometimes accidental. Often times the main subject in the picture remains the focused point but when cropped it loses clarity. I'm not trying to blow up a tiny spec into a poster sized picture or anything either.

for example

I stopped on the way to work to grab a couple photos of this tractor out plowing in a nearby field. I had about 5 minutes to jump out and take a few. Relied only on auto focus and the tractor was the focus point the whole time. One particular photo overall was decent but I found that when I cropped a section of it, it was very nice. (for me to enjoy..others may not agree)

maybe i am just too unreasonable with the whole clarity thing.

but back to the original question. Would a d5200 be much of an improvement as far as the body goes, (sensor, color depth, etc) from a t2i or should I be looking at something else in my price range?

Working on technique and skills is planned either way, no matter which camera. I was just curious about upgrading the body.

There's only so much a camera can do. And both Canon and Nikon are just about there. You would absolutely get the same results with a Nikon as you do with your Canon because you are nowhere near getting the best out of the camera.

Work on technique, take classes, learn from your results. You won't get anywhere replacing a very good camera with another very good camera.

--
Leonard Migliore

Wally626 · Apr 2, 2013

humblerob said:
humblerob wrote:

I'm not a cropping monster or anything. There are just situations where there is a great photo within a photo. Sometimes accidental. Often times the main subject in the picture remains the focused point but when cropped it loses clarity. I'm not trying to blow up a tiny spec into a poster sized picture or anything either.

...

humblerob said:
maybe i am just too unreasonable with the whole clarity thing.

but back to the original question. Would a d5200 be much of an improvement as far as the body goes, (sensor, color depth, etc) from a t2i or should I be looking at something else in my price range?

Working on technique and skills is planned either way, no matter which camera. I was just curious about upgrading the body.

The D5200 is a better camera than the T2i, but not enough better to bother switching. If image quality is the goal, not better sports mode or more convenient controls, then nothing short of the Canon 6D is going to be better on the Canon side. The Nikons will be a little better as would the Sony A65 or A77.

Remember, it is not just a new body but new lenses as well. You will need the AF-S lenses which tend to be a bit more money than the AF lenses.

Nikon D5200 with AF-S 18-55mm kit, $860

Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G, $220

Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G, $400

Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G, $250

So $1330 to $1480 total.

If I was you I would look at either the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM for $816, the EF 35mm f/2.0 IS USM for $849 or the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Zoom Lens for $1,120.

You could also consider getting a really nice tripod, but not as useful for the on the go shooting style.

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Is the d5200 much of a difference on image quality as the canon t2i?

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