Introduction
Ever since Nikon put a 24-million effective pixel sensor in the D3200 we've been expecting this pixel count to reach a little further up the manufacturer's DSLR lineup. So the announcement that the D5200, which usurps the Nikon D5100 from its position immediately below the D7000 in the range, has a CMOS sensor with 24 million pixels wasn't really a surprise.
However, some may raise an eyebrow when they learn that the D5200 doesn't have exactly the same sensor as the D3200. The D5200 uses a new 24.1-million effective pixel sensor that has not been seen elsewhere and according to Nikon we can expect the new device to have a more extensive dynamic range.
Nikon has paired this sensor with its EXPEED 3 processing engine and in the D5200 this enables a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400, which is expandable up to the equivalent of ISO 25,600.
In addition, the D5200 can shoot at a maximum continuous rate of 5fps, up 1fps on the D5100, which could make it just that little bit better for sports photography.
The D5200's sport and action photography credentials are further enhanced by the presence of the same 39-point AF system (with 9-cross type points) as in the D7000. This improved frame coverage should make the autofocus system more precise and better at tracking moving subjects.
Another feature borrowed from the D7000 and which improves upon the D5100 is the 2,016-pixel RGB sensor for light metering and white balance assessment. This feeds information into the improved Automatic Scene Recognition system which attempts to match the exposure settings, autofocus and white balance to the scene.
According to Nikon UK's Simon Iddon, Product Manager for DX Products, the size of the minimum recognisable target for the Automatic Scene Recognition system has been reduced, making it more precise.
Its tracking performance has also been improved so that the camera is better able to exposes faces across the frame.
Naturally the D5200 is capable of recording Full HD video footage, like the D5100, but the frame rate range has been expanded to include 60i and 50i as well as 30p, 25p and 24p.
Build quality and handling
Most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the Nikon D5200 and the D5100 as they look almost identical. Nevertheless, we are told that the D5200 is a little bit smaller and lighter than the older camera.
Any weight or size reduction hasn't been made at the cost of build quality, because the D5200 still feels nicely put together. As we'd expect, it's not a tough feeling as the likes of the Nikon D800 or Nikon D4 in the professional section of the company's DSLR lineup, but it feels reasonably solid and built to withstand regular use.
Although D5200 has a nice deep grip with a textured coating that gives it good purchase in the hand, as is often the case with smaller SLRs, most users will find that there is only space for three of their fingers and the little finger must tuck underneath the camera body. It is still comfortable to hold and use one-handed though.
Nikon has stuck with the same 3-inch 921,000-dot variangle LCD as the D5100 has for the D5200. While this is useful for composing images from a wide variety of angles, it's a little disappointing that the company hasn't made it touch-sensitive.
We're also a little surprised to see that Nikon hasn't made any changes to the Special Effects modes available on the D5200 via the mode dial, it's the same seven that are available on the D5100: Night Vision, Color Sketch, Miniature, Selective Colour, Miniature, Silhouette and High and Low Key. These are still JPEG only options for stills photography unfortunately.
We'll have to experiment a little more when we get a full-production sample of the D5200 in for testing, but our first impression is that the new processing engine makes the Live View feed a little smoother than before when these modes are selected.
While the control layout of the D5200 is the same as the D5100, the graphic user interface (GUI) has been updated. This looks more modern and cleaner as well as a little more advanced as befits the enthusiast target audience of the camera.
There are relatively few buttons on the D5200 as most settings adjustments are made via on-screen controls. All that is required is to press the 'I' button to bring up the information screen and then navigate to the feature that you want to adjust, press OK to select it and then make the changes. It's simple and effective.
Performance
So far we have only seen a pre-production sample of the D5200 and we weren't able to examine the images that we took with it.
However, we can be fairly certain that the image quality from the D5200 is going to be at least as good as from the D3200 as, even though they have different sensors, the two cameras have (near enough) the same pixel count and the EXPEED 3 processing engine.
This bodes well for the D5200's ability to resolve detail as the D3200 knocks most of the competition out of the park in this respect at the lower sensitivity settings. It also achieves a respectable signal to noise ratio and its dynamic range is impressively high.
Nikon has had a few issues with white balance and colour, with the D800 sometimes making images a little on the green-side and the LCD screen appearing to over-emphasise this colour.
We also found that the D3200's screen has a tendency to make images look a little cooler than they are.
We are hoping that these problems won't trouble the D5200 as we haven't encountered them with the recently arrived Nikon D600.
WIth 39-AF points instead of just 11, the image frame is well-covered and we found the D5200's AF system very responsive.
Naturally, we want to use the camera in a variety of conditions before committing, but the Multi-CAM 4800DX module has proved itself very capable in the D7000 and we see no reason for it to be any different with the D5200.
It's a similar story with the 3D color matrix metering II that uses the dedicated 2,016-pixel RGB sensor. We've seen it before and know that it performs well in most conditions, although the D7000 is sometimes prone to overexposing mid-tones.
Image quality and resolution
As part of our image quality testing for the Nikon D5200, we've shot our resolution chart.
If you view our crops of the resolution chart's central section at 100% (or Actual Pixels) you will see that, for example, at ISO 100 the Nikon D5200 is capable of resolving up to around 28 (line widths per picture height x100) in its highest quality JPEG files.
For a full explanation of what our resolution charts mean, and how to read them, check out our full explanation of our camera testing resolution charts.
Examining images of the chart taken at each sensitivity setting reveals the following resolution scores in line widths per picture height x100:
JPEG
Full ISO 100 image, see the cropped (100%) versions below.
ISO 100, score: 28 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 200, score: 28 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 400, score: 28 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 800, score: 26 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 1600, score: 24 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 3200, score: 24 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 6400, score: 22 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 12800, score: 16 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 25600, score: 14 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
Raw
ISO 100, score: 28 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 200, score: 28 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 400, score: 28 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 800, score: 26 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 1600, score: 24 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 3200, score: 24 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 6400, score: 22 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 12800, score: 20 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
ISO 25600, score: 18 (Click here to see the full resolution image)
Noise and dynamic range
We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using DXO Analyzer software to generate the data to produce the graphs below.
A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.
For more more details on how to interpret our test data, check out our full explanation of our noise and dynamic range tests.
Here we compare the Nikon D5200 with the Pentax K-30, Nikon D5100, Canon EOS 650D and Nikon D7000.
JPEG signal to noise ratio
These results show that the Nikon D5200 produces a similar signal to noise ratio in its JPEG images to the Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 650D, but a weaker ratio than the Nikon D7000 at most sensitivity settings. At lower ISOs, the D5200's JPEGs have a weaker signal to noise ratio than the Pentax K-30, but at ISO 6400 and above, the Nikon takes the lead.
Raw signal to noise ratio
The signal to noise ratios of the TIFF images (after conversion from raw) from the Nikon D5200 are slightly stronger than its JPEG images, sitting above the Nikon D5100 at most sensitivities, and above the Nikon D7000 at ISO 400 and ISO 3200-12800. It also beats the Pentax K-30 at ISO 400 and above. The Canon EOS 650D beats the D5200 at every sensitivity.
JPEG dynamic range
Results for dynamic range are competitively stronger than those for signal to noise ratio, with the Nikon D5200's JPEG images showing the greatest dynamic range at lower ISOs, before slipping below the Nikon D7000 at ISO 1600 and above, and then dropping off more at ISO 3200 and above, where it also falls slightly below the Nikon D5100 and roughly level with the Canon EOS 650D. It stays roughly level with the Pentax K-30 at ISO 3200-6400, before beating it at ISO 12800 and above.
Raw dynamic range
Dynamic range in TIFF images (after conversion from raw) from the Nikon D5200 are very impressive, beating the Pentax K-30, Nikon D5100, Canon EOS 650D and Nikon D7000 throughout the sensitivity range, except at ISO 25600 where it drops ever so slightly behind the Canon.
Sample images
Click here to see the full resolution image
The Nikon D5200's automatic white balance system has overcompensated for the warm tones of this subject and has produced a low-saturation image.
Click here to see the full resolution image
Setting a custom white balance value has produced a much warmer and more pleasing result.
Click here to see the full resolution image
With the correct white balance selected, the Standard Picture Control setting produces nice vibrant images that are a good match for the scene.
Click here to see the full resolution image
These dark cherries fooled the Matrix metering system into overexposing a little, and -1EV exposure compensation was required to get them looking just right.
Click here to see the full resolution image
This shot was taken at the highest sensitivity expansion setting, equivalent to ISO 25,600. It looks good at small sizes, but as you start to zoom in - or make it larger - slight banding is visible in some areas (see below).
Click here to see the full resolution image
Sensitivity and noise images
JPEG
Full ISO 100 image, see the cropped (100%) versions below.
Click here to see the full resolution image
ISO 100
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ISO 200
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ISO 400
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ISO 800
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ISO 1600
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ISO 3200
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ISO 6400
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ISO 12800
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ISO 25600
Raw
Click here to see the full resolution image
ISO 100
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ISO 200
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ISO 400
Click here to see the full resolution image
ISO 800
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ISO 1600
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ISO 3200
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ISO 6400
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ISO 12800
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ISO 25600
Early verdict
Provided you are happy not to have an array of buttons and dials allowing quick access to key features, the D5200 looks like a great option for enthusiast photographers looking for a small, versatile camera.
Obviously we have to add the caveat that we haven't actually seen any images from the D5200 yet, but its pedigree and the fact that we have seen the majority of its constituent parts in action elsewhere, leads us to be fairly certain that this camera will be capable of delivering high-quality results.
The fact that the D5200 doesn't introduce anything new apart from the sensor is a bit disappointing. It is a fairly predictable upgrade to the D5100 that borrows features from the D7000 above it in the lineup. It would have been nice if Nikon had added a few new Special Effects, perhaps a high-contrast black and white mode, and made these effects available when shooting raw and JPEG files, rather than just JPEGs.
We'd also have liked Nikon to take the next step with the screen and made it touch-sensitive, allowing the AF point etc to be selected with a touch of a finger.
All things considered, the D5200 seems like a solid proposal, even if it doesn't have anything very new or exciting to offer.
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