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How Will the New Nikon D5200 compete in the entry-level D-SLR market?
by LongmanSex on Sunday, September 9, 2012
Of course, the launch is vitally important for the success of any product. The camera market is particularly competitive at the moment and so Nikon will be hoping that their launch of the new D5200 will capture the imagination of potential customers and strike fear into the hearts of their rivals. If not, many of those potential customers will want have a good look at what else is out there that fits either similar spec requirements or similar price range. There is no room for complacency here as the entry-level D-SLR market is keenly fought for and highly competitive. If the D5200 gets the 24MP sensor of its sibling the D3200, then at least it will be amongst the largest in its class. And if it can claim to be a sports camera by pushing its current 4FPS along, then that is even better. But it also has to offer something to those photographers who value low light excellence and a more rigorous focussing system. And don't forget the movie makers out there. The D5100 is a great starter for videographers, but things move on and the D5200 has to at least improve the frame rate. Even so, if the D5200 can deliver all this for a reasonable price, it faces stiff competition....
THE NIKON D5100 - When Nikon announced the D3200, they also confirmed that the D3100 would still be available and so it's fair to assume that the D5100 will still be on offer for a while after the D5200 launch. It is also likely to be cheaper. The D5100 is a great camera, user friendly and with superb image quality, both stills and video. The articulated screen makes shooting at high or low angles so much easier and the external stereo Mic give good sound quality to add the HD video. The 16MP file, when combined with Nikon lenses, is really all most of us will need and the ISO span, which extends to 25,600 is splendid. It handles noise well and give tremendous image detail. 4FPS burst speed is a little slow, these days, but apart from that this camera is well worth the money.
THE NIKON D3200 - This camera, recently upgraded from the D3100, has made a huge impact, not least because of the 24 Megapixel sensor, which rivals cameras in more expensive classes. The image quality is excellent, as might be expected, and the external stereo Mic now allows the HD video Mode full rein. The decent ISO range (up to 6400) and versatile shutter speed makes this an impressive performer in low light. Only the burst speed seems a little slow at 4FPS. However, nobody can ignore this top quality camera that is currently leading the field.
THE CANON EOS 650D/Rebel T4i - Newly launched, this camera shows that Canon mean business. Offering an 18MP sensor, taken from the 7D, a top ISO of 25,600 and 5FPS the 650D wants to trample over the opposition. The full HD video function and stereo sound will appeal to photographers who want to mix disciplines. The articulated touch screen is new to this class and the contrast autofocus is something you are more likely to find in the Compact Systems Camera bracket. However, apart from these innovative additions, it has many of the characteristics of the 600D/Rebel T3i.
THE CANON EOS 600D/ Rebel T3i - This is Canon's main camera in this class and offers a great combination of features at a very reasonable price. It offers a 18MP file, which is big enough for enthusiast and professional alike in most cases, and with Canon lenses the image quality is excellent. It also offers HD Video with an external socket and, like the D5100, an articulated back screen though the 9- point autofocus and 3.7 FPS burst speed are a little below what might be expected. However, this is a formidable camera and an excellent introduction to the Canon brand.
THE CANON 1100/ Rebel T3 - This is Canon's offering for those who want to start right at the bottom of the D-SLR range. It is basic and beginner friendly, capable of taking good, if unexceptional, photos. Most decent compact cameras can equal the 12MP files that it can produce, though not necessarily to the same standard. The video option is only 720pp - which is still good enough for web use, but not HD. It offers an intuitive beginners on-screen guide and has a decent autofocus system. This probably wouldn't tempt anyone away from the D5200, but it is a great price for someone who just wants to get started.
THE PENTAX K-30 - Of course the big two dominate the D-SLR classes, but for those who aren't tied to either Nikon or Canon, it's worth while looking at other manufacturers. The Pentax K-30 is an excellent camera that sits at the upper end of this class, both in price and functionality. It offers a 16 MegaPixel file size and, unusually, has 100% view through the viewfinder, which makes cropping much easier. 6 Frames per Second burst speed is pretty good, and the buffer has good capacity (allowing 30 frames per burst). The HD video is impressive and offers 24,25 or 30 FPS. Pentax also offer the option to power the camera with normal AA batteries which can be very useful. Designed for the outdorrs, it is made of toughened plastic and is completely weather-sealed. Price with 18-55mm lens $900/650
THE PENTAX K-r - This is a much smaller and lighter camera than it's sibling the K-30, but offers some excellent functionality for an entry-level D-SLR. It's a tough little camera which offers a class-leading shutter speed of 1/6000 and can push ISO up to 25,600. This makes it a good performer on low light conditions and at freezing the action. However, the video function, whilst HD, shoots at 16:9 ratio, which can restrict your options and there is not external mic function, recording in-camera and in mono. There are some good modes for the novice and they are easy to follow in the camera. It can run on AA batteries. Price with lens 400/ $760
THE SONY ALPHA 57 - Whilst the D-SLR is a well established format, it isn't the only one available. For those who want to take a walk on the wild-side there is the SLT. Instead of bouncing the light off a mirror, the SLT is semi transparent and allows some of the light through. this effectively splits the light available between the sensor and the viewfinder/back screen. Although this sounds odd to the single reflex purists, the technology is well established in the Sony range and can produce pretty good image quality. The 16 Megapixel files are fairly robust, though do seem to suffer slightly in low light and sometimes need some work. However, the A57 has a terrific burst speed of 10 frames per second - more with smaller files - and offers either 25 or 50 FPS when shooting Hd video. ISO of 16,00 and a very clever digital zoom function make A57 a very competent camera. Price 500/ $700
THE SONY ALPHA 37 - This recent launch aims to put Sony back on the beginner level map again. It is fairly basic, but has some innovative functionality. It also is a SLT camera and has a maximum ISO of 16,000. Burst speed can get up to 7FPS, though for full size frames, is set to 5.5FPS. The in-camera zoom function can double your lens length with hardly any quality loss. It has a useful tiltable screen and HD video. Price $550/ 400
THE NIKON D5100 - When Nikon announced the D3200, they also confirmed that the D3100 would still be available and so it's fair to assume that the D5100 will still be on offer for a while after the D5200 launch. It is also likely to be cheaper. The D5100 is a great camera, user friendly and with superb image quality, both stills and video. The articulated screen makes shooting at high or low angles so much easier and the external stereo Mic give good sound quality to add the HD video. The 16MP file, when combined with Nikon lenses, is really all most of us will need and the ISO span, which extends to 25,600 is splendid. It handles noise well and give tremendous image detail. 4FPS burst speed is a little slow, these days, but apart from that this camera is well worth the money.
THE NIKON D3200 - This camera, recently upgraded from the D3100, has made a huge impact, not least because of the 24 Megapixel sensor, which rivals cameras in more expensive classes. The image quality is excellent, as might be expected, and the external stereo Mic now allows the HD video Mode full rein. The decent ISO range (up to 6400) and versatile shutter speed makes this an impressive performer in low light. Only the burst speed seems a little slow at 4FPS. However, nobody can ignore this top quality camera that is currently leading the field.
THE CANON EOS 650D/Rebel T4i - Newly launched, this camera shows that Canon mean business. Offering an 18MP sensor, taken from the 7D, a top ISO of 25,600 and 5FPS the 650D wants to trample over the opposition. The full HD video function and stereo sound will appeal to photographers who want to mix disciplines. The articulated touch screen is new to this class and the contrast autofocus is something you are more likely to find in the Compact Systems Camera bracket. However, apart from these innovative additions, it has many of the characteristics of the 600D/Rebel T3i.
THE CANON EOS 600D/ Rebel T3i - This is Canon's main camera in this class and offers a great combination of features at a very reasonable price. It offers a 18MP file, which is big enough for enthusiast and professional alike in most cases, and with Canon lenses the image quality is excellent. It also offers HD Video with an external socket and, like the D5100, an articulated back screen though the 9- point autofocus and 3.7 FPS burst speed are a little below what might be expected. However, this is a formidable camera and an excellent introduction to the Canon brand.
THE CANON 1100/ Rebel T3 - This is Canon's offering for those who want to start right at the bottom of the D-SLR range. It is basic and beginner friendly, capable of taking good, if unexceptional, photos. Most decent compact cameras can equal the 12MP files that it can produce, though not necessarily to the same standard. The video option is only 720pp - which is still good enough for web use, but not HD. It offers an intuitive beginners on-screen guide and has a decent autofocus system. This probably wouldn't tempt anyone away from the D5200, but it is a great price for someone who just wants to get started.
THE PENTAX K-30 - Of course the big two dominate the D-SLR classes, but for those who aren't tied to either Nikon or Canon, it's worth while looking at other manufacturers. The Pentax K-30 is an excellent camera that sits at the upper end of this class, both in price and functionality. It offers a 16 MegaPixel file size and, unusually, has 100% view through the viewfinder, which makes cropping much easier. 6 Frames per Second burst speed is pretty good, and the buffer has good capacity (allowing 30 frames per burst). The HD video is impressive and offers 24,25 or 30 FPS. Pentax also offer the option to power the camera with normal AA batteries which can be very useful. Designed for the outdorrs, it is made of toughened plastic and is completely weather-sealed. Price with 18-55mm lens $900/650
THE PENTAX K-r - This is a much smaller and lighter camera than it's sibling the K-30, but offers some excellent functionality for an entry-level D-SLR. It's a tough little camera which offers a class-leading shutter speed of 1/6000 and can push ISO up to 25,600. This makes it a good performer on low light conditions and at freezing the action. However, the video function, whilst HD, shoots at 16:9 ratio, which can restrict your options and there is not external mic function, recording in-camera and in mono. There are some good modes for the novice and they are easy to follow in the camera. It can run on AA batteries. Price with lens 400/ $760
THE SONY ALPHA 57 - Whilst the D-SLR is a well established format, it isn't the only one available. For those who want to take a walk on the wild-side there is the SLT. Instead of bouncing the light off a mirror, the SLT is semi transparent and allows some of the light through. this effectively splits the light available between the sensor and the viewfinder/back screen. Although this sounds odd to the single reflex purists, the technology is well established in the Sony range and can produce pretty good image quality. The 16 Megapixel files are fairly robust, though do seem to suffer slightly in low light and sometimes need some work. However, the A57 has a terrific burst speed of 10 frames per second - more with smaller files - and offers either 25 or 50 FPS when shooting Hd video. ISO of 16,00 and a very clever digital zoom function make A57 a very competent camera. Price 500/ $700
THE SONY ALPHA 37 - This recent launch aims to put Sony back on the beginner level map again. It is fairly basic, but has some innovative functionality. It also is a SLT camera and has a maximum ISO of 16,000. Burst speed can get up to 7FPS, though for full size frames, is set to 5.5FPS. The in-camera zoom function can double your lens length with hardly any quality loss. It has a useful tiltable screen and HD video. Price $550/ 400
About the Author:
Jeremy Bayston has worked in the photographic industry for over two decades and has written about cameras and photography on various photographic websites. Check out his site devoted to the Nikon D5200 for the latest news about this exciting D-SLR. Sign up for his newsletter about the D5200 to be the first to know about the launch date.
