- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How they compare
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Compare with...
- Sony SLT A65
- Nikon D7100
- Nikon D90
- Canon EOS 60D
- Nikon D3200
by DPReview (Nov, 2012)The D5200's 24MP sensor gives more detail though, although the difference between the Nikon and Canon's T4i isn't as great as the 6MP disparity in pixel count might suggest.
Rated 100% by by Eleanor-Faye-Lewis--appy20One thing I forgot to add, the battery life is wonderful.
Conclusion Which is better for you?
Features Key features of the Nikon D5200 compared to the Nikon D5100
MP24
APS-C
Rated 60% by by MattBianco (Apr, 2013)I wish my old Sony A-100 would take videos, and that it had better pixel count and better color accuracy.
16.1 MP
APS-C
megapixels
| 0 MP | 24 MP   | 30 MP |
D5200 by Photography Blog (Jan, 2013)All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 24 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 8Mb.
D5100 by Photography Blog (Apr, 2011)The Nikon D5100 is a new 16.2 megapixel DSLR camera that can record Full HD movies at 1920x1280 pixels / 25fps with stereo sound.
sensor size
D5100 by Rob-LaRosa (Apr, 2011)I had purchased one of the Micro Four Thirds cameras because it was light and small, but I found the quality lacking when compared to APS-C cameras.
viewfinder size
D5100 by dojokloViewfinder: The D5100 has a pentamirror viewfinder with approximately 95% coverage of the actual resulting image, the same as the D3100.
body size
129 x 98 x 78 mm
127 x 97 x 79 mm
D5200 by DPReview (Nov, 2012)Overall, what this means is that you get a small, lightweight SLR that despite its plastic body feels pretty solid, with no flexing or creaking.
focus points
| 0 | 39 | 40 |
D5200 by roaeja--Hey-you (Feb, 2013)This gives what Nikon describes as "professional-level performance" from the 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors), including speedy subject acquisition, and phase-detection AF down to a minimum luminance of -2 EV (really dark conditions).
D5100 by Photography Blog (Apr, 2011)Ultimately the Nikon D5100 easily overcomes its few real weak points, offering a compelling mix of great image and movie quality, precise and quick auto-focusing, accurate metering and a fantastic LCD screen, all in a format that most users will find intutive and enjoyable to use.
Performance Real world tests of Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D5100
DxOMark image quality
D5200 by William-Carruth (Mar, 2013)With its newly developed 24.1 - megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 3 image processing, your customers will also capture images with superior image quality filled with incredible detail, dynamic range and color.
D5100 by Cebuano (May, 2011)D5100 superior low light excellent image quality and loving it more, I have returned my D3100 and keeping Nikon D5100 instead,using Nikon 35mm 1.8G AF-S ( same 1600 ISO and shutter, Aperture etc., clearly less noise under indoor night low light condition worth every penny IMHO).
DxOMark low light performance
D5200 by Herball--herball (Apr, 2013)AF on stills photos is more than fast enough for me and low light image quality has been very good to ISO 1600.
D5100 by Filmmaster-6 (Feb, 2012)This is an excellent camera for those photographers who do low light shooting, The colors are brilliant and clear.
continuous shooting
D5100 by dojokloContinuous Shooting Speed: As you work your way up the Nikon dSLR line-up the cameras' continuous shooting speed and maximum shots at that rate increases.
battery life
500 photos
660 photos
D5200 by john-c-stoebling (Mar, 2013)the only draw back so far is the battery life buy a second one # en-el14 if you are going to take a lot of shots keep a second one on hand also buy the ml-l3 remote control shutter release if you do macro work you can put the camera in live view and fire it with no vibration it also works well with all the nikon ttl flash units.
Differences What are the advantages of each
Advantages compared to the D5100
| Much higher resolution | 24 MP | vs | 16.1 MP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around 50% higher resolution; Capture more detail, good for large prints | |||
| Many more phase-detection focus points | 39 | vs | 11 |
| 28 more phase detection focus points; Faster autofocus in reasonably lit settings | |||
| Many more cross-type focus points | 9 | vs | 1 |
| 8 more cross type focus points; Easier and faster focusing in low light | |||
| Marginally more recently announced | Nov, 2012 | vs | Apr, 2011 |
| Announced date over 1 years later | |||
| Better overall image quality | 84.0 | vs | 80.0 |
| Around 10% better image quality | |||
| Better dynamic range | 13.9 ev | vs | 13.0 ev |
| Around 10% better dynamic range | |||
| Faster rapid fire | 5 fps | vs | 4 fps |
| Around 30% faster continuous shooting; Take photos in rapid succession to capture motion | |||
| Significantly more highly reviewed by consumers | 87.94% | vs | 82.75% |
| Around 10% more highly reviewed by consumers | |||
| Less noise at high ISO | 1,284 ISO | vs | 1,183 ISO |
| Around 10% higher low light performance | |||
Advantages compared to the D5200
| More photos per charge | 660 | vs | 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 more shots; Longer battery life | |||
Reviews Word on the street
Nikon D5200 | Nikon D5100 | ||
 |  
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 
|
| |
 | Rated by 72 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Steve-V (Apr, 2013) Rated 100% by by roaeja--Hey-you (Feb, 2013) | Rated by 639 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Will-F--uGems Rated 100% by by Will-F--uGems Rated 100% by by romerider (Dec, 2011) | |
sensor
Nikon D5200 | Rated 80% by by Yano (Jan, 2013)So the major difference of the D5200 compared with the D3200 is the focus sensor and exposure meter sensor.
Nikon D5200 | by DPReview (Nov, 2012)In our tests we found that measured ISOs from the Nikon D5200 matches the marked ISOs within 1/6 stop accuracy, meaning ISO 100 indicated = ISO 100 measured.
Nikon D5200 | Rated 100% by by roaeja--Hey-you (Feb, 2013)The Nikon D7100 has been given a specially designed DX-format (APS-C) 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor (so not the same one employed in the D5200) which doesn't use the traditional optical low pass (anti-aliasing) filter found in most cameras.
autofocus
Nikon D5200 | Rated 80% by by c|net (Feb, 2013)While it sounds like a potentially nice camera, the D5200 doesn't really stand out from the specialized competition: Canon has its video-optimized AF system, Pentax has its weather-resistant bodies, and Sony has its speedy models with built-in geotagging.
Nikon D5200 | Rated 100% by by Adam-Petrone--AdamI love the D5200's interface as it's much easier to navigate than the D5100 and the auto focus is much quicker and precise.
Nikon D5200 | by DPReview (Nov, 2012)Meanwhile, the more sophisticated 2016 pixel metering sensor of the D5200 is also used to aid subject tracking during AF-C - providing color information about the subject to the AF system to determine which AF point to use.
focus
Nikon D5200 | Rated 80% by by c|net (Feb, 2013)The performance of the Nikon D5200 has improved quite a bit over the D5100, thanks to an updated autofocus system, but that's not without qualification.
Nikon D5200 | by DPReview (Nov, 2012)Like the D7000, the D5200 has the option to use just 11 AF points (Custom Settings a2).
Nikon D5200 | Rated 80% by by Yano (Jan, 2013)The D5200 borrows the technology from the bulkier D7000 and presents 39 AF points including 9 cross-type AF points for accuracy and a more precise exposure metering system (D3200 have 11 AF points, 1 cross-type).
video
Nikon D5200 | Rated 80% by by c|net (Feb, 2013)The Nikon D5100 is a solid camera with excellent photo and video quality, but relatively sluggish performance tarnishes its allure for me.
Nikon D5200 | by DPReview (Nov, 2012)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).
Nikon D5200 | by DPReview (Nov, 2012)We haven't had the opportunity to shoot any video with the D5200 yet, but Andrew Reid of www.eoshd.com has been putting the new camera through its paces and has been very impressed with the quality of the D5200's video footage.
iso
Nikon D5200 | by DPReview (Nov, 2012)The Canon holds its own until ISO 12800, where noise swamps detail to the point where the 24MP D5200 just has the edge in terms of detail reproduction (but only just).
Nikon D5200 | by DPReview (Nov, 2012)Compared to its predecessor the D5100, the D5200 gives very similar levels of visual noise at its low and medium ISO settings, but above ISO 6400, images are noticeably smoother by comparison.
Nikon D5200 | by DPReview (Nov, 2012)But with the D5200's improved Auto ISO program, this at least is something you can now plausibly leave to the camera most of the time.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Sony SLT A65 Fastest rapid fire mode |
 | 2 | Nikon D7100 Largest screen |
 | 3 | Nikon D90 Largest sensor |
 | 4 | Canon EOS 60D Most shots per battery charge |
 | 5 | Nikon D3200 High resolution |
 | 6 | Canon Rebel T3i 6-way tie: Has a flip out screen |
 | 7 | Canon Rebel T4i Has a touch screen |
 | 8 | Canon EOS 1100D Fastest to start up |
Popular Questions
December 1, 2012
Need a suggestion
I am starter in photography could you please suggest me the perfect DSLR which suits to my learning. I believe in NIkon, so my budget is 35K
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Answers January 16, 2013
Upgrading to a DSLR
Hello People ,, I own a super zoom camera ( Fujifilm Finepix HS30EXR ) , and I am familiar with the most important items in photography And I am planning in taking a step forward and buying a...
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Answers November 17, 2012
Image quality, low light pictures, landscape
Most of my photos are low light photos, landscape, building and family photos. which camera should i buy between the nikon D5100, nikon D5200 and nikon D3200?
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December 20, 2012
Focus motor
Your comparison says that D5200 has a built in focus motor. I don't think that is correct.
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Answers November 7, 2012
Pictures & video for merchandise & DIY blog tutorials
I'll be taking photos of clothing for my blog & ebook as well as video tutorials. I need a camera to grow with me as I launch my business. For video I'd like to be able to use an external mic, am...
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Answers Community What does Sortable's community think
1
vs
4
Nikon D5200
80% of users recommend the Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D5200
Nikon D5200
Nikon D5100
Brenden-Sherratt 
Expert I
If it was me I would buy the D5100, it is cheaper and you might even be able to pick one up used. There is not a huge difference between the D5100 and D5200. View Brenden-Sherratt's recommendation
- 0 comments
- January 16, 2013
- Reply to: Upgrading to a DSLR
Carlos-Alberto-Soto 
Beginner I
The 2 biggest upgrades of the new 5200 are the more fucus points, and buit in motor. According to your type of shooting d5100 is the right choice. All the DX glasses have motor, so if you do not... View Carlos-Alberto-Soto's recommendation
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- December 8, 2012
- Reply to: Image quality, low light pictures, landscape
