When Nikon launch the D5200, they will, of course, hope to blow the opposition away. However, Nikon's rivals have a lot to offer and shouldn't be ignored. Even if the D5200 satisfies current wish lists and more, there are other cameras out there that should be considered before you make your choice. File size is going to be important, and if the D5200 gets a 24Mp sensor, then it will lead its class, sharing the top spot with the D3200, which must now be considered as a rival stablemate. It will also be expected to increase it's burst speed from 4FPS to something more sporty, but not all photographers care about that - some preferring a camera that can provide quality images in low light, or wanting a more competent focussing system. Movie mode is an important consideration when buying a new camera, especially if you are a professional looking for a good back up body. The D5200 will be expected to offer a range of frames per second options at least, to go with the external stereo mic and HD quality video. However other cameras in this range offer good value on the movie front. These are the other D-SLR cameras you should consider before buying the new D5200.
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 - Nikon have really astonished the photographic community with this ' entry-level' camera that seems to want to compete with pro-level bodies. The 24 MegaPixel sensor is remarkable in a camera of this price and had put every other beginner-level camera in the shade. The external Mic (for stereo recording) and HD video make this a great starter for photographer and videographer alike. The solid ISO rating - up to 6400 - and shutter speed range make this flexible and versatile camera the current leader of it's class.
THE CANON EOS 650D/Rebel T4i - This is another recent launch and a very competent performer. The 650D/Rebel T4i gives the impression that it has come to dominate the field and leave no prisoners. The 18MP file is smaller than the D3200, but not significantly (the D3200's file at 24MP is in fact only 16% larger as the size increase is not linear), and in most cases it would be impossible to differentiate between the two. Again Canon recognize that users may want to shoot stills and video and have given the 650D full HD video and good quality stereo sound. The D5100 has a useful articulated screen and the Rebel T4i goes a step further by supplying an articulated touch screen. Canon have obviously been studying what has succeeded in the CSC market and have included the innovative contrast auto-focus system for the 650D. Whilst many other functions are similar to the 600D, there is enough here to give the 650D/Rebel T4i serious consideration.
THE CANON EOS 600D/ Rebel T3i - Up until the arrival of the 650d/ Rebel T4i, this was canon's flagship model in this market. It does offer a good range of features at a fair price. The 18 Megapixel file size was the largest around until matched by the the 650D and beaten by the D3200, and it is quite big enough for almost any requirement. The Canon lenses ensure that the image quality is superb. Like the D5100, it too has an articulated viewing screen, which is handy for shooting the HD video. The 9-point autofocus lets the camera down slightly and the 3.7 Frame Per Second burst speed seem quite pedestrian these days. All together though, this is a very competent camera from an excellent brand.
THE CANON EOS 1100D/Rebel T3 - The is the most basic D-SLR supplied by Canon. It offers 12 MegaPixel files, 9-point autofocus and is a great way to take the step up from compact or bridge cameras. The onscreen functions guide is really useful and intuitive and helps the novice find their way around the technology. However the video is only 720pp which, these days, is only good enough for the web. Nikon won't regard this as a serious contender to the D5200 as it is aimed at someone who is at the very beginning of their D-SLR experience.
THE PENTAX K-30 - For a company outside the mainstream of D-SLR production, Pentax have a reputation for producing excellent cameras that do the simple things superbly. The K-30 is designed for the outdoors. It is made of toughened plastic and has been completely weather-sealed. the image quality is very good and the the autofocus options are quite varied. The 16MP file size just about keeps it in contention. This is one of only a few cameras that offer full 100% view through the viewfinder, meaning that you can effectively crop as you shoot. The buffer will allow up to 30 frames to be shot at 6FPS, which is pretty impressive and the HD video offers a choice of frame rates, 24, 25 or 30. Pentax have long pushed versatility on the battery front and an adaptor will allow you to use AA batteries. Price with 18-55mm lens 650/ $900
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 - Nikon have really astonished the photographic community with this ' entry-level' camera that seems to want to compete with pro-level bodies. The 24 MegaPixel sensor is remarkable in a camera of this price and had put every other beginner-level camera in the shade. The external Mic (for stereo recording) and HD video make this a great starter for photographer and videographer alike. The solid ISO rating - up to 6400 - and shutter speed range make this flexible and versatile camera the current leader of it's class.
THE CANON EOS 650D/Rebel T4i - This is another recent launch and a very competent performer. The 650D/Rebel T4i gives the impression that it has come to dominate the field and leave no prisoners. The 18MP file is smaller than the D3200, but not significantly (the D3200's file at 24MP is in fact only 16% larger as the size increase is not linear), and in most cases it would be impossible to differentiate between the two. Again Canon recognize that users may want to shoot stills and video and have given the 650D full HD video and good quality stereo sound. The D5100 has a useful articulated screen and the Rebel T4i goes a step further by supplying an articulated touch screen. Canon have obviously been studying what has succeeded in the CSC market and have included the innovative contrast auto-focus system for the 650D. Whilst many other functions are similar to the 600D, there is enough here to give the 650D/Rebel T4i serious consideration.
THE CANON EOS 600D/ Rebel T3i - Up until the arrival of the 650d/ Rebel T4i, this was canon's flagship model in this market. It does offer a good range of features at a fair price. The 18 Megapixel file size was the largest around until matched by the the 650D and beaten by the D3200, and it is quite big enough for almost any requirement. The Canon lenses ensure that the image quality is superb. Like the D5100, it too has an articulated viewing screen, which is handy for shooting the HD video. The 9-point autofocus lets the camera down slightly and the 3.7 Frame Per Second burst speed seem quite pedestrian these days. All together though, this is a very competent camera from an excellent brand.
THE CANON EOS 1100D/Rebel T3 - The is the most basic D-SLR supplied by Canon. It offers 12 MegaPixel files, 9-point autofocus and is a great way to take the step up from compact or bridge cameras. The onscreen functions guide is really useful and intuitive and helps the novice find their way around the technology. However the video is only 720pp which, these days, is only good enough for the web. Nikon won't regard this as a serious contender to the D5200 as it is aimed at someone who is at the very beginning of their D-SLR experience.
THE PENTAX K-30 - For a company outside the mainstream of D-SLR production, Pentax have a reputation for producing excellent cameras that do the simple things superbly. The K-30 is designed for the outdoors. It is made of toughened plastic and has been completely weather-sealed. the image quality is very good and the the autofocus options are quite varied. The 16MP file size just about keeps it in contention. This is one of only a few cameras that offer full 100% view through the viewfinder, meaning that you can effectively crop as you shoot. The buffer will allow up to 30 frames to be shot at 6FPS, which is pretty impressive and the HD video offers a choice of frame rates, 24, 25 or 30. Pentax have long pushed versatility on the battery front and an adaptor will allow you to use AA batteries. Price with 18-55mm lens 650/ $900
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 Photo industry for over twenty years 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 new D-SLR. Sign up for his newsletter about the D5200 to be the first to know about the launch date.
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