Nikon D7000 or Nikon D5200. What should it be?

Question

I got myself a bridge camera a few months back (Nikon P510 that is). Earlier I used a simple point and soot Sony Cybershot DSC-T77. I got myself a bridge because I thought jumping from a simple point and shoot to a D-SLR was not such a great idea. I was right in this context. It took me so much time to explore and understand my current P510. But after mastering it in almost every aspect, I think its time I got myself a D-SLR. And after much research and considering every possible factor, I come down to Nikon D7000 and D5200. But now I am facing the real problem. Desperately need your help guys.

Nearly all sites I have checked puts both there camera into same category. They both have similar scores. I know I won't regret getting any of the two because they are brilliant cameras. But I want to get the best one. In my eyes both the cameras are perfect for my as per my usage. But each of them have something which the other does not have and something I need.

Why D7000? (all these factors really matter)
1. It has an auto-focus motor (which D5200 does not), this means that I need not spend double the money on AF-S lenses rather than the much cheaper AF lenses.
2. Weather-sealed.
3. Much larger battery life, more than double.
4. Double memory card slots.
5. Larger viewfinder and better coverage, ie. 100%.
6. Shoots faster @ 6fps (whereas D5200 shoots at 5fps).
7.Lesser shutter lag and greater maximum shutter speed.

Why D5200? (all these factors really matter)
1. EXPEED3 processor (D7000 has EXPEED2).
2. Vari-angle flipout screen.
3. Greater color depth.
4. Much higher true resolution (24.1 MPx vs. 16.1 MPx)
5. Much newer than D7000 (so I presume it has better technology).

Now all of these factors are making it the toughest decision of my life. I am a 18 year old boy. I have been saving for years now just to buy myself a good D-SLR. I am very passionate about photography and I don't want my decision to go wrong here. Please give your suggestions. The cost is almosts the same. Body of D5200 is around Rs. 10,000 cheaper but then I will need an AF-S 55-300mm rather that AF 70-300mm, which in turn is Rs. 10,000 costlier. All over, the cost remains the same.

Please help me out on this one friends. Please give your much-needed advice. Each response will be cherished.
Thank you. :)

Answer 1

I agree with Andrew , keep using the P510. No way can you " master it " in only a few months.

I've had my D5000 for a year, and I'm not even close to mastering it.

Answer 2

Sounds as though you have done a lot of research. But there are a few more advantages to the D7000 you may not be aware of..



First, it has a magnesium chassis, which means it is more ruggedized, wherein the D5200 has a plastic body. Also, the D5200 is an entry level camera where the D7000 is an advanced amateur class camera.



This means the shutter is likely designed for more actuations before failure. I am not sure what the D7000 is rated for, but my D7100 is rated for 150,000 actuations. Entry level cameras such as the D5200 are typically rated for 100,000.



So the D7000 is designed to last significantly longer.



Also the D7000 has a built-in CLS commander, which means it will wirelessly control Nikon speedlights off-camera, whereas the D5200 must use the optional SU-800 for this functionality.



Add to that the D7000's capability to fine-tune lenses, you can ensure peak focus performance. I found with my D7100 (which also has a fine-tune capability), that all of my fast lenses (f/1.8 and faster) needed a little fine tuning for the sharpest results. the D5200 has no such capability.



You already covered shutter lag, which is significant between the D7000 and D5200. If you consider a 90Mph fastball travels 13ft in 0.1 sec, you can see that for sports and action, the D7000 will be superior in that regard.



Really, the only presumed advantage the D5200 has is the swing out screen, however, it is as much of a disadvantage as an advantage, as it tends to promote poor camera handling if over-used.



First, using the swing out screen handheld promotes poor camera handling, which leads to more of a chance you will obtain blurry shots. Limit use of the swing out to tripod or video use.



Next, the shutter lag is even worse (over 1sec) when using the swing out screen.



Third, the battery is used up a lot faster when having to power the screen.



And finally, overuse of the swing out screen puts more wear and tear on the mirror and shutter mechanism, as well as the sensor - meaning you may be shortening the life of the camera.



The D7000 also has a top LCD screen allowing changes to be made without having to go to the LCD monitor on the rear, Auto FP High Speed Sync on the flash, an AI feeler which allows aperture priority exposure mode on AI lenses, more white-balance options, flash bracketing, and the fastest shutter speed of 1/8000sec (the D5200 is 1/4000sec). Some of these features may or may not be of value to you though.



Don't put too much emphasis on the sensor pixel count. Before I had my D7100, I had the 12Mp D90. I don't so much as see an improvement in photo quality from the difference due to he pixel count in the sensor.



I would only recommend the D5200 if you were using it mostly for video and needed the swing out screen, but for general photography, the swing out screen is not an advantage.



Thing is, while the D5200 is a fine camera, it is no match for the D7000. Personally, I'd go for the D7000.

Answer 3

If you didn't only list Nikon then you could get a Canon 60D which has many of the 7000's features and also has an articulating LCD.



The problem is both the 7000D and the Canon 60D are relatively old and if you get the Nikon D5200 you will be limiting yourself to specific lenses.



I would think about it this way: With Photoshop CS (or other suitable software) you can manipulate RAW files to produce the kind of image characteristics you want. So if you always expose so as not to blow out the highlights you may not need to worry about the age/software of the D7000.



I think that it is a true saying: "If you buy cheap then you end up buying twice."

One day you will want a camera with a 35mm sensor and your lenses will not be right for it. Perhaps save money and, when ready, go directly to such a camera?

Answer 4

If U are planning for a cam to experience some great shots, and if you are hesitating by it's high price - I would say GO 4 Nikon D7000 if U ve craze on photography.



A user can mount a Nikon F mount (with AF contacts) lens on the D7000 camera. This Nikon camera uses Auto Focus with 39 focus points TTL phase detection and has range of -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100). The Nikon D7000 uses the Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX Auto Focus module. The camera supports Auto Focus modes such as Single-servo AF and Continuous servo AF. The ISO of the Nikon D7000 SLR ranges from ISO 100 to 6400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV and additional ISO of 12800 (Hi1) and ISO 25600 (Hi2) can be attained. The Nikon D7000 SLR camera utilizes electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter and has a shutter speed range of 1/8000 to 30 sec, with an additional bulb support. The camera supports external flash such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, and SB-400. The inbuilt flash and external flash support i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash and has 2,016-pixel RGB sensor.

Answer 5

Processor and technology wouldn't matter much since it's just a one generation gap. With batteries, if your shooting requires you more than one battery for half-a-day, you might as well get another camera. If not, the only one you have will overheat. Most viewfinder coverages are comfortably enough nowadays and you can only save to one card slot at any given time. It's not that difficult to switch cards. I don't rely much on fps, rarely go beyond 1/2000s, and shutter lag? It's a dSLR, next to nothing. Color depth and megapixels won't matter much on 8R's and below.



In my opinion, it boils down to weather-sealing versus flip-out screen. I go for the former with the added bonus of having not to worry about what cheap lens I can find here and there, now and then. Wink!



By the way, you won't miss the 55-70mm gap if you go for the 70-300mm lens. In most cases, it's just one simple step forward, which is free.

Answer 6

D7000 Vs D5200

Answer 7

Wow! Mastering your bridge camera in such a short time congradulations! Your move here (using a bridge camera before jumping to a DSLR) is what I have been advocating on this site. Good for you!



Congradulations and enjoy you DSLR!

Answer 8

d7000 is ecellent but heavier , me id stick with waht you have

no worries about lens etc .



and pics will be the same .



it depends on what you want it for but for me dragging a big dslr a 2 lens around all day on a hike or something is not fun i prefer a d3100 but most of the time a compact camera .

Answer 9

Stick with your bridge camera a little longer - you seem to have more money than sense.