The D5200 contains a CMOS sensor with 24 million pixels, just like its successor, the Nikon D5300, and the Nikon D3300, located below the range of Nikon SLR cameras Nikon D7100, which is located above it. On the other hand, this information may surprise some people: Nikon does not employ the same sensor in each camera.
The Nikon D5200 utilizes a sensor with an effective resolution of 24.1 megapixels, which is not found in any other camera.
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Although it uses a new sensor, the Nikon D5200 has the same number of pixels as the Nikon D3200 and the D7100. As a result, the Nikon D5200 combines the features found in the Nikon D3200, Nikon D5100, Nikon D7000, and Nikon D7100. Additionally, it shares the metering and autofocus (AF) capabilities of the Nikon D7000 and the articulating screen seen in the Nikon D5100.
Nikon D5200 Build Quality
The Nikon D5200 and the Nikon D5100 are essentially indistinguishable from the naked eye due to their almost similar design; however, the new camera includes a drive mode button on its top plate, while the Nikon D5100 does not. This is the primary distinction between the two cameras.
In addition, the two cameras’ three dimensions differ by a total of 1 millimeter (0.04 inch), and the Nikon D5200 is 5 grams (0.018 ounces) lighter than the previous camera. This information can be found on the specification sheets.
This weight reduction was accomplished without compromising the build quality of the Nikon D5200, as the camera still has a pleasant overall appearance and does not resist being gripped in hand.
Most users will find it more comfortable to curl their tiny fingers under the camera body while holding the camera with their index finger on the shutter release. At the same time, there is just enough room on the rubber-coated grip to accommodate three fingers. Likewise, those with small hands will find enough room on the hold to accommodate three fingers.
Nikon D5200 Performance
Because it has a high pixel count, we anticipate that the Nikon D5200 will be able to resolve a significant amount of detail, assuming that the noise in the image is effectively managed. Thankfully, Nikon’s new DSLR does not disappoint anyone in this regard.
The detail captured predictably decreases when the sensitivity is increased to its maximum levels, with a considerable decrease occurring when it is raised to its highest native setting (ISO 6400).
This is within the allowed range of limitations; nonetheless, we advise keeping the expansion settings in reserve for use in an emergency and maintaining an ISO setting of 3200 or below whenever it is practical.
Quality of the Image
During this examination, the Nikon D5200 generated photographs of exceptionally high quality. Photos captured with the D5200 at ISO 100-1600 are noise-free when saved as JPEGs, while images captured at ISO 3200 also appear pretty excellent. ISO 6400 displays only a tiny amount of noise, whereas the fastest settings of ISO 12800 and 25600 show a significant increase in noise, as well as a loss of saturation and a blurring of fine detail; however, the images can still be used effectively for making small prints and resizing them for use on the web. Again, ISO 6400 displays only a tiny amount of noise.
When the sharpness setting defaulted, the photographs were soft right out of the D5200. For the best results, you should do further sharpening in an application such as Adobe Photoshop; alternatively, you may modify the location of JPEG files in the camera itself.
The nighttime shot turned out well since you could use the bulb mode and a maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds, which allowed you to catch a lot of light. When we did have red-eye with the built-in flash, it was extremely mild and could be readily remedied by turning the moment to red-eye reduction mode. Red-eye was not a regular occurrence with the built-in flash; when we did, it was fixed.
Active D-lighting was able to fit the majority of the dynamic range that the sensor could record into the JPEGs that the camera generated. At the same time, the HDR mode could significantly increase the dynamic range by mixing two photos taken with different exposures. Getting more out of your JPEG photographs is more accessible with Picture Styles and inventive Effects.
Nikon D5200 Specs
| Body type | Compact SLR |
|---|---|
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Other resolutions | 4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000 |
| Image ratio w h | 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Expeed 3 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100 – 6400 (25600 with boost) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 25600 |
| White balance presets | 12 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (5) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal, Basic |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase Detecarea selectivelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive view. |
| Autofocus asView lamp | Yes |
| Digital zoom | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 39 |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 921,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD monitor |
| Live view | Yes (With coViewst-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking) |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.) |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | Programmed auto with flexible program (P)Shutter-priority (S)Aperture priority (A)Manual (M) |
| Scene modes | AutoPortraitChildClose upright PortraitParty/indoor pet PortraitColor Sketch |
| Built-in flash | Yes (Pop-up) |
| Flash Range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (Hot-shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear-curtain |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | Single frameContinuousSelf-timer2s Delayed remoteQuick-response remote, quiet shutter release |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2, 5, 10, or 20 sec) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weighted spot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis) |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Videography notes | 1920 x 1080, 60i (59.94 fields/s)/ 50i (50 fields/s), high/normal 1920 x 1080, 30 p (progressive)/25p/24p, high/normal |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (Mini Type C) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Optional |
| Remote control | Yes (Optional ML-L3 or WR-R10) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 555 g (1.22 lb / 19.58 oz) |
| Dimensions | 129 x 98 x 78 mm (5.08 x 3.86 x 3.07″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | Optional |
| GPS notes | GP-1 |
Nikon D5200 Verdict
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It is somewhat disappointing that the Nikon D5200 does not introduce anything new to the Nikon feature set apart from the sensor. However, it is a reasonably predictable upgrade to the Nikon D5100 that borrows elements from the Nikon D7000. Despite this, it is still a sufficiently predictable upgrade to the Nikon D5100.
It would have been wonderful if Nikon had introduced a few extra special effects, such as a high-contrast black-and-white mode, and made these effects available while shooting raw and JPEG files instead of simply JPEGs—for example, a high-contrast black-and-white mode.
Additionally, it would have been nice to have an integrated touchscreen and Wi-Fi connectivity, which are expected to be popular features in 2013.
