Nikon D5200

When Nikon announced the entry-level 24MP D3200 back in April 2012, it seemed only a matter of time before the rest of its DX SLRs were upgraded to the same resolution. In reality it's taken rather longer than we expected, but finally the 24MP D5200 has appeared to replace the D5100 - just in time for the holiday season. As the next model up in the line from the D3200 (according to Nikon it's for 'Advanced Beginners'), it offers more physical controls and enthusiast-friendly features in a similarly-small package.

The D5200 is physically almost identical to its predecessor, and almost all of the changes are internal, including key systems borrowed from the enthusiast-oriented D7000. These include the 39-point AF system (with 9 cross-type sensors) that covers most of the frame, and the 2016 pixel RGB colour-sensitive metering sensor. Indeed about the only external differences between the cameras are a new top-plate drive mode button on the D5200, along with a stereo microphone that's perched atop the pentamirror in front of the hotshoe, rather like Canon's EOS 650D.

It would be tempting to assume that the D5200's 24MP CMOS sensor is the same as the D3200's, but Nikon very specifically says this isn't the case, and the two have slightly different specifications. In practical terms, the D5200 offers a higher extended ISO range compared to it's little brother - 25600 vs 12800 - and faster continuous shooting (5 fps vs 4). 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 (~1.25x). More conventional 30p, 25p and 24p modes use the full width of the sensor.

The D5200's new sensor is complemented by EXPEED 3 image processing, which Nikon claims offers higher speed, better colour 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 this type of small camera with relatively few external controls, on which much of the user interaction is 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, which is potentially a neat way of setting up self-portraits or group shots.

Nikon D5200 key features

24.1MP DX format CMOS sensor
EXPEED 3 processing
ISO 100-6400 standard, up to 25600 expanded
5 fps continuous shooting
39 point AF system, 9 sensors cross type
2016 pixel RGB metering sensor
1080p30 video recording, built-in stereo mic
921k dot 3" vari-angle TFT monitor, 170° viewing angle

Further updates and improvements

The D5200 has a couple of additional tweaks and updates over the D5100 which are less obvious from the spec sheet alone. These include the same improved Auto ISO program that we first saw on the D800, which adds the ability to set the minimum shutter speed automatically based on the focal length of the lens in use, with a choice of five settings that bias towards faster or slower speeds. This fixes one of our biggest criticisms of the D5100, and makes Auto ISO more suitable for use with zoom lenses.

There's also a bit more control available in movie mode. You have the option of taking full control over all exposure values - aperture, shutter speed and ISO - in M mode, or letting the camera set the latter two for you. The D5200 also offers finer setting of the microphone gain (now in 20 steps), with a stereo sound meter to help you judge the right level.

Aside from this, the D5200 is essentially the same as its predecessor. There's the same smattering of features you wouldn't necessarily expect to see at this level - including a multiple exposure mode and a highly configurable intervalometer - evened out by the omission of some others (there's no depth of field preview or wireless flash control). Overall though we think it looks like a sensible evolution of its predecessor.