One week with Nikon D5200

Day 1. Introducing the camera

Today we are starting the “One Week with Nikon D5200” project. No, this is not just a great test of the camera. This is a test of the camera with real shooting conditions. Every day for a week, we will publish new chapters in one large article on the Nikon D5200 in different situations, as well as additional accessories that will help unlock the potential of this DSLR. But we'll start by exploring the Nikon D5200 .. View prices and buy Nikon D5200. The Nikon D5200 replaces the 2011 D5100 . This is not to say that the D5100 is very outdated during this time, but the market needs new heroes with higher characteristics. And this D5200 boasts. Let's see what Nikon engineers are prepared to offer us a little less than for 30,000 rubles - that’s how much the camera costs now.

What's inside?

At the heart of the camera is a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor with a size of 23.5 x 15.6 mm. Are there too many megapixels? Could they be causing a noise increase at high ISO? We are interested in this issue as well as future camera buyers. Therefore, in the coming days we will test the Nikon D5200 in low light conditions and when shooting scenes with a large number of small details. In the meantime, take it for granted - the resolution of the matrix in the Nikon D5200 is simply huge.

At the heart of the camera is a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor with a size of 23.5 x 15.6 mm

The data from the matrix is processed by the new EXPEED 3 processor. This is largely due to it the camera added in rate of fire: 5 frames / s compared to 4 frames in the previous model. And this despite the increase in resolution by 50%. Despite the fact that the Nikon D5200 is positioned as a model for enthusiastic photographers, from a higher-end Nikon D7000 camera, it inherited a professional autofocus module with 39 points, nine of which are cross-type. The metering module is also not the easiest: it consists of 2016 points and distinguishes colors. Both modules can act in concert, providing tracking of a moving subject: the metering sensor is able to tell the autofocus system which focus point to use when moving a captured subject within the frame. This feature is called 3D tracking on Nikon cameras.

Tracking your subject using 3D tracking

Not a single new camera can do without video capabilities today. Of course, the Nikon D5200 can shoot video: in Full HD quality at up to 50 frames / s for interlaced scanning or 25 frames / s for frame-by-frame scanning. Stereo sound for your videos can be recorded using either the built-in or an external microphone. So fashionable today, the built-in Wi-Fi module inside the Nikon D5200 is not. But this does not mean that the camera lags behind its competitors in advancement. Wireless connectivity with devices for Nikon D5200 opens an external Wi-Fi module WU-1a. We will try to get it for a test one of the coming days and devote a whole chapter of our big review to working with it.

Wi-Fi module WU-1a

What is outside?

I have a simple and reliable way to identify the glancing “chips” of the camera: I put it on my desktop, and colleagues passing by no, no, and they will pick it up, twist it and express a couple of their comments. About Nikon D5200 I heard the same thing three times in a row: “Is it a DSLR? Wow, how small! ” And let the bearded adherents of photography of the last century assure me of the opposite: I am deeply convinced that an amateur DSLR should be compact. Otherwise, it becomes a burden that amateur photographers forget at home, do not take on travel, are too lazy to wear around their neck ... And as a result, they miss excellent shots. A counter-argument in such disputes is always lunges against the ergonomics of small cameras. I admit, my little finger periodically slides from the handle of the Nikon D5200. I’m not very comfortable changing the settings while holding the D5200 with one hand. But let's not forget that this is still not a professional SLR for shooting a serious report, and the price of the camera is appropriate. Uncompromising in terms of ergonomics, cameras are many times more expensive.

Little finger on the handle was not found

The Nikon D5200 in a strict black case fell into my hands. This is a classic coloring for DSLRs. But if black seems boring to you, you can choose a camera in a red or bronze copus.

Color options for the Nikon D5200

And what about the management? Here, the parity between the two approaches is maintained: professional control with the help of separate buttons for each function and a visual screen interface oriented to beginners.

Changing parameters using the graphical interface

Exposure compensation and the shutter mode can be changed using separate buttons, one of the most important functions in your opinion can be assigned to the Fn programmable button, and the focus point will have to be selected directly using the navigation pad. This is enough to quickly change the basic settings. The remaining parameters can be changed either through the menu or after pressing the i button directly on the screen using the graphical interface. What a beginner needs!

Exposure compensation and shutter mode can be changed using separate buttons

Focus point to choose directly using the NaviPad

One of the most important functions in your opinion can be assigned to the Fn programmable button

By the way, since we are talking about the screen, then it's time to praise it. It is a swivel, large enough (3 inches) and high resolution (920,000 pixels). If you want - use it only to view the captured frames, if you want - to change the shooting settings, if you want - build a frame on it in Live View. Finally, you can turn it away from you altogether and enjoy the Nikon inscription on its rough back.

The screen is swivel, large enough (3 inches) and high resolution (920,000 pixels)

You can turn the screen away from you and enjoy the Nikon inscription on its rough back

Well, all that remains for us is to charge the battery, insert a USB flash drive and go on the first shot with the Nikon D5200! But I will tell you about this tomorrow. Every day for a week, we will publish new chapters in one large article on the Nikon D5200 in different situations. Stay in touch! Try the free CSS tidy lets you easily beautify stylesheets for your websites.

Mark Curtis

Author content

One week with Nikon D5200

Day 1. Introducing the camera

What's inside?

What is outside?

Mark Curtis

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