Nikon D5200 at a glance:
- 24.1-million-pixel, APS-C-sized CMOS sensor
- ISO 100-6400 (extended to ISO 25,600)
- Expeed 3 processor
- Articulated 3in, 921,000-dot LCD screen
- 39-point AF system
- 2016-pixel RGB metering sensor
- RRP £719.99 body only
Nikon D5200 review – Introduction
When Sony announced the inclusion of a 24.3-million-pixel, APS-C-sized CMOS sensor in its Alpha 77 and NEX-7, we anticipated that the likes of Nikon would follow suit. These expectations were met, but somewhat surprisingly via the ‘upper-entry-level’ Nikon D3200 DSLR, rather than an enthusiast-level model like a D7000 or D300S replacement. Neither enthusiast-level model has materialised yet, and instead the 24.2-million-pixel D3200 has been flying the flag for Nikon’s APS-C models. Now the firm has included a refined version of this sensor in its next model up, the Nikon D5200.
Nikon insists that the ‘upper entry-level’ D5200 does not replace the D5100, just as the D3200 does not replace the D3100. This being the case, the Nikon DSLR line-up is looking a little crowded. The company hopes to have a model for every budget in its DSLR range, and this now appears to be the case, with the D5200 being in the next price bracket up from the D5100.
The Nikon D5200’s body is almost the same as that on the compact and lightweight D5100. These are the only DSLRs from Nikon with an articulated rear LCD screen. What we have come to expect, though, is that the technology from previous-generation models is passed down the line, and the D5200 takes aspects such as its AF and metering systems from the D7000. So, while their bodies may be similar, there are several differences between the D5200 and D5100’s specifications. The newer camera should match the D7000 for performance and exceed its image quality, which is very appealing.
