Understanding the Nikon D5200: A Comprehensive Guide for Photography Lovers

The Nikon D5200 is a powerful camera that has been designed with photography enthusiasts in mind. The camera comes with a range of advanced features that allow you to capture stunning shots in all kinds of lighting conditions. If you're considering purchasing this camera or have one already, then look no further. This comprehensive guide will help you get the most out of your camera and take your photography skills to the next level.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon D5200 article cover photo

Key Features

May 16 2013

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight555g
MSRP$899USD

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Overview of the D5200

Are you a photography lover looking for a camera that can complement your creative imagination? Look no further than the Nikon D5200. This camera has been designed to meet the needs of photography enthusiasts with its advanced features and capabilities. Whether you're an experienced photographer or a beginner, this camera is perfect for capturing stunning photos in all kinds of lighting conditions. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the Nikon D5200, explore its features, and provide you with some tips and tricks to unleash your creativity and take your photography skills to the next level. So, let's get started!

Nikon D5200 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon D5200 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution images
Wide dynamic range
Fast autofocus
Compatible with various lenses
User-friendly interface
High ISO sensitivity
Good battery life
Top-notch video recording
Affordable price

Cons

No built-in Wi-Fi
No GPS
Limited buffer capacity
Slow burst shooting mode
No headphone jack
Limited weather sealing
No touch screen
Heavier than some of its competitors
Limited low-light performance.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon D5200

Weather sealed
Dimensions129 x 98 x 78mm
Weight555g
Thickness78mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Nikon D5200 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentamirror)
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution921k dots
Body typeCompact SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Nikon D5200 very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

D5200 includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.52x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon D5200 has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Nikon D5200 has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - 25600. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

May 16 2013

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 25600
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

84 / 102

Color Depth

24.2 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

13.9 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1284 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon D5200 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the D5200 is above average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life500 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL14
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon D5200 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon D5200 uses the EN-EL14 model of battery pack. This is rated for 500 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon D5200 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Nikon D5200 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon D5200 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 39 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon D5200?

The Nikon D5200 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon D5200 weather sealed?

No the D5200 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon D5200 announced?

The Nikon D5200 was announced on May 16 2013

Does the Nikon D5200 have in-body image stabilization?

No the D5200 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon D5200?

The D5200 has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-25600 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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