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 - It is quite likely that the main rival to the D5200 will be it's predecessor. It will still be available and is a formidable camera in it's own right. The 16 MP sensor still produces great quality images, with very little noise, even at moderately high ISO. and the high dynamic range helps you to capture detail even in high contrast shots. The video functions are superb - the HD video is clean and crisp - and the external stereo Mic is a real plus. the articulated viewing screen helps videographers and stillsmen to shoot at difficult angles. With a top ISO of 25,600, this camera can still cut it with the best in its field. And for the price, it is outstanding value.
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 650D/ Rebel T4i - Another recent launch, the 650D is a quality camera that shows that Canon take the entry-level market seriously. The 18MP sensor, which has also graced the more expensive EOS 7D, can produce immaculate imagery and with a 5FPS burst speed and ISO maximum of 25,600, the 650D/Rebel T4i makes a formidable adversary. Videographers will be enticed by the full Hd video options and stereo sound and the articulated touch screen takes it one step beyond the D5100. The contrast autofocus has been something of a success on the CSC cameras, and Canon take only a small risk in introducing here. It may look the same, but it is a big step up from the EOS 600D/ Rebel T3i.
THE CANON EOS 600D / Rebel T3i - Whilst the 650D is stealing all the glory at the moment, the 600D/rebel T3i is still an excellent camera. Remember, we are talking about the beginner-level market. The 600D has some great functionality and the same 18MP sensor as the 650D and is much more reasonably priced. Like the D5100, it has an articulated back screen and HD video modes with stereo sound. However the burst speed is on the slow side at 3.7 FPS and there are only 9 focus points. Despite now looking a little jaded, it is a great introduction to D-SLRs and the Canon brand.
THE CANON 1100D/ Rebel T3 - This is Canon's basic beginner-level D-SLR. As a step up camera, it offers an easy transition from a compact or bridge camera, but these days much more is expected even at this level. The 12MP files are pretty good, however and stand up to scrutiny. The video is not HD quality, though good enough for internet use and the 9-point autofocus is competent. The on-screen feature guide is really useful for beginners feeling their way around. This shouldn't pose much of a threat to the D5200, but might tempt someone moving up from, say, the Canon Powershot range.
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 - The SLR has been around for so long that it is easy to think there is no better system out there and whilst the main manufacturers are herding D-SLR users steadily towards CSC functionality in the hope of removing the viewfinder completely eventually, Sony have chosen a different path. The Alpha 57 is an SLT - single-lens translucent. Instead of having a moveable mirror that bounces the light to the viewfinder and then moves to allow the camera to take the shot, Sony have produced a fixed semi- translucent mirror that bounces some light to the viewfinder and lets the rest through to the sensor. Sony have used this for a while now and it can produce some pretty good results. The A57 has a 16MP sensor that are good quality, though they do need some work if shot in low light. However the advantage is that you can see the shot continuously, even when the camera is shooting at 10FPS. The HD video is competent and has a choice of 25FPS or 50FPS. It also has an innovative digital zoom and a maximum ISO of 16,000. Altogether, this is a pretty good camera for the price. Price $700/ 500
THE SONY ALPHA 37 - The newly launched Alpha 37 offers similar technology to the A57, but at a lower price. it replaces the poor A390 and boasts a16 megapixel sensor and 5.5 frames per second burst speed at full frame. If you are prepared to cut the file size, this can be increased to 7FPS. It too is not a D-SLR but a SLT and so image quality at low light can be troublesome. However, it shares the 16,00 ISO setting and in-camera zoom with the A57 and shoots HD video, which makes it a good all-round camera at a low price. price 400/ $500
THE NIKON D5100 - It is quite likely that the main rival to the D5200 will be it's predecessor. It will still be available and is a formidable camera in it's own right. The 16 MP sensor still produces great quality images, with very little noise, even at moderately high ISO. and the high dynamic range helps you to capture detail even in high contrast shots. The video functions are superb - the HD video is clean and crisp - and the external stereo Mic is a real plus. the articulated viewing screen helps videographers and stillsmen to shoot at difficult angles. With a top ISO of 25,600, this camera can still cut it with the best in its field. And for the price, it is outstanding value.
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 650D/ Rebel T4i - Another recent launch, the 650D is a quality camera that shows that Canon take the entry-level market seriously. The 18MP sensor, which has also graced the more expensive EOS 7D, can produce immaculate imagery and with a 5FPS burst speed and ISO maximum of 25,600, the 650D/Rebel T4i makes a formidable adversary. Videographers will be enticed by the full Hd video options and stereo sound and the articulated touch screen takes it one step beyond the D5100. The contrast autofocus has been something of a success on the CSC cameras, and Canon take only a small risk in introducing here. It may look the same, but it is a big step up from the EOS 600D/ Rebel T3i.
THE CANON EOS 600D / Rebel T3i - Whilst the 650D is stealing all the glory at the moment, the 600D/rebel T3i is still an excellent camera. Remember, we are talking about the beginner-level market. The 600D has some great functionality and the same 18MP sensor as the 650D and is much more reasonably priced. Like the D5100, it has an articulated back screen and HD video modes with stereo sound. However the burst speed is on the slow side at 3.7 FPS and there are only 9 focus points. Despite now looking a little jaded, it is a great introduction to D-SLRs and the Canon brand.
THE CANON 1100D/ Rebel T3 - This is Canon's basic beginner-level D-SLR. As a step up camera, it offers an easy transition from a compact or bridge camera, but these days much more is expected even at this level. The 12MP files are pretty good, however and stand up to scrutiny. The video is not HD quality, though good enough for internet use and the 9-point autofocus is competent. The on-screen feature guide is really useful for beginners feeling their way around. This shouldn't pose much of a threat to the D5200, but might tempt someone moving up from, say, the Canon Powershot range.
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 - The SLR has been around for so long that it is easy to think there is no better system out there and whilst the main manufacturers are herding D-SLR users steadily towards CSC functionality in the hope of removing the viewfinder completely eventually, Sony have chosen a different path. The Alpha 57 is an SLT - single-lens translucent. Instead of having a moveable mirror that bounces the light to the viewfinder and then moves to allow the camera to take the shot, Sony have produced a fixed semi- translucent mirror that bounces some light to the viewfinder and lets the rest through to the sensor. Sony have used this for a while now and it can produce some pretty good results. The A57 has a 16MP sensor that are good quality, though they do need some work if shot in low light. However the advantage is that you can see the shot continuously, even when the camera is shooting at 10FPS. The HD video is competent and has a choice of 25FPS or 50FPS. It also has an innovative digital zoom and a maximum ISO of 16,000. Altogether, this is a pretty good camera for the price. Price $700/ 500
THE SONY ALPHA 37 - The newly launched Alpha 37 offers similar technology to the A57, but at a lower price. it replaces the poor A390 and boasts a16 megapixel sensor and 5.5 frames per second burst speed at full frame. If you are prepared to cut the file size, this can be increased to 7FPS. It too is not a D-SLR but a SLT and so image quality at low light can be troublesome. However, it shares the 16,00 ISO setting and in-camera zoom with the A57 and shoots HD video, which makes it a good all-round camera at a low price. price 400/ $500
About the Author:
Jeremy Bayston has worked in the Photo 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 from Nikon. Sign up for his newsletter about the D5200 D-SLR.
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