Well, finally we can stop pretending that the Nikon D600 might be coming out in time for Photokina. The worst kept secret in the camera world is now officially out. Cheaper than the Pro D800, the D600 is a full-frame enthusiast camera that is priced to compete with the Canon EOS 5D and fill the gap between the D7000 and the D800. The main talking point, of course is the file size. The D800 offers a whopping 36MP, but Nikon seem to have decided that 24MP is sufficient for all their DSLRs below the Pro-level. But what are the other changes and what clues do they give to what the new D5200 will offer? 
If we take a look at some of the features on the D600, I think we could take an educated guess at what Nikon are planning for the new D5200. Of course, as mentioned, the file size is likely to be 24MP. This will probably be the default size for all the enthusiast and entry-level DSLRs. It is a significant improvement on many of it's rivals, and big enough for most purposes.
The D5100 is a Dx camera, which means that the sensor is smaller and the standard lens length in increased. The holy Grail for the purists has always been to have a FX camera in the entry-level price range. The D600 offers both FX and DX, but the cost puts it above the entry-level range. I don't think the D5200 will offer FX options. Most users are happy to shoot DX these days and would prefer the extra distance form their lenses. The cost of adding FX to the D5200 would make is too expensive for the beginner market.
The shutter speed on the D600 is no faster than many of it's stablemates - 1/4000. This is disappointing as it suggests that the d5200 won't go faster than its current 1/4000. The burst rate on the D600 is also slower than I would have expected at 5FPS. I was hoping that the D5200 would have at least 6FPS, but that now looks unlikely, making it hard to justify as an action camera. An entry-level camera like the D5200 should offer the photographer the chance to test his skills and push boundaries and I don't think either the shutter speed or the burst rate on the d5200 are going to be very impressive.
It does look like the D5200 will have an improved AF system. The D600 offers the 39 point AF and I would be surprised if the D5200 doesn't match that. I think the 51 point AF system will be held back for the higher end DSLRs. I also think it is unlikely that the pentamirror system, which gives a 95% view through the viewfinder will be upgraded. It does a pretty good job, and whilst the restricted view is annoying on paper, people get used to it very quickly. The introduction of a pentaprism and 100% view would increase the price for little benefit.
The D5200 will undoubtedly have two memory card slots. One simply isn't enough these days, particularly if the photographer is shooting video or even RAW files. Two slots will enable the user to save in different formats at the same time, or double the amount that can be shot/recorded during a shoot.
The D600 has an auto brightness function on the LCD monitor. The D5100's articulated monitor has been a great success and it would be great if the D5200 could continue progress in this area. Why not have the auto brightness function on the D5200 as well? In fact Nikon should be looking hard at whether they can incorporate Canon's touch screen system as well and make the D5200's back screen a unique selling point.
The HD video function was a huge selling point for the D5100 and Nikon need to maintain their momentum in this area on the D5200. Offering a 60 FPS rate on full HD would be really useful, but I think they could take a neat trick from the D600 with it's auto time lapse movie creation function. It seems a practical way to take the hard work out of time lapse photography and encourage the beginner to try something new. Also, with sound being so important, Nikon might add a headphone jack to the D5200.
So, while we may have to wait longer than we had hoped for the Nikon D5200, there are encouraging signs from the functionality of the D600. the D5200 is likely to have a 24 MP file size, 5 frames per second burst,1/4000 shutter speed, an improved LCD monitor, 39 point AF system and some neat additions to functionality inside the camera. To keep the costs down, the build will probably be the same toughened plastic. I can't wait to see one......
If we take a look at some of the features on the D600, I think we could take an educated guess at what Nikon are planning for the new D5200. Of course, as mentioned, the file size is likely to be 24MP. This will probably be the default size for all the enthusiast and entry-level DSLRs. It is a significant improvement on many of it's rivals, and big enough for most purposes.
The D5100 is a Dx camera, which means that the sensor is smaller and the standard lens length in increased. The holy Grail for the purists has always been to have a FX camera in the entry-level price range. The D600 offers both FX and DX, but the cost puts it above the entry-level range. I don't think the D5200 will offer FX options. Most users are happy to shoot DX these days and would prefer the extra distance form their lenses. The cost of adding FX to the D5200 would make is too expensive for the beginner market.
The shutter speed on the D600 is no faster than many of it's stablemates - 1/4000. This is disappointing as it suggests that the d5200 won't go faster than its current 1/4000. The burst rate on the D600 is also slower than I would have expected at 5FPS. I was hoping that the D5200 would have at least 6FPS, but that now looks unlikely, making it hard to justify as an action camera. An entry-level camera like the D5200 should offer the photographer the chance to test his skills and push boundaries and I don't think either the shutter speed or the burst rate on the d5200 are going to be very impressive.
It does look like the D5200 will have an improved AF system. The D600 offers the 39 point AF and I would be surprised if the D5200 doesn't match that. I think the 51 point AF system will be held back for the higher end DSLRs. I also think it is unlikely that the pentamirror system, which gives a 95% view through the viewfinder will be upgraded. It does a pretty good job, and whilst the restricted view is annoying on paper, people get used to it very quickly. The introduction of a pentaprism and 100% view would increase the price for little benefit.
The D5200 will undoubtedly have two memory card slots. One simply isn't enough these days, particularly if the photographer is shooting video or even RAW files. Two slots will enable the user to save in different formats at the same time, or double the amount that can be shot/recorded during a shoot.
The D600 has an auto brightness function on the LCD monitor. The D5100's articulated monitor has been a great success and it would be great if the D5200 could continue progress in this area. Why not have the auto brightness function on the D5200 as well? In fact Nikon should be looking hard at whether they can incorporate Canon's touch screen system as well and make the D5200's back screen a unique selling point.
The HD video function was a huge selling point for the D5100 and Nikon need to maintain their momentum in this area on the D5200. Offering a 60 FPS rate on full HD would be really useful, but I think they could take a neat trick from the D600 with it's auto time lapse movie creation function. It seems a practical way to take the hard work out of time lapse photography and encourage the beginner to try something new. Also, with sound being so important, Nikon might add a headphone jack to the D5200.
So, while we may have to wait longer than we had hoped for the Nikon D5200, there are encouraging signs from the functionality of the D600. the D5200 is likely to have a 24 MP file size, 5 frames per second burst,1/4000 shutter speed, an improved LCD monitor, 39 point AF system and some neat additions to functionality inside the camera. To keep the costs down, the build will probably be the same toughened plastic. I can't wait to see one......
About the Author:
Jeremy Bayston has worked in the photographic industry for over two decades. He has a particular interest in digital imagery. Go to his website to learn more about the new Nikon D5200 and its launch date. Alternatively visit his general digital camera site to read up to date news about consumer products.
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