Nikon D5200
Winner
Nikon D5200

86

vs
Nikon D3200

75

Nikon D3200
Runner-up
 
 
 
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5200

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,284 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
84.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
24.2 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.9 EV
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3200

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
81.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
24.1 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.2 EV
True resolution
 High true resolution
24.1 MP
 
Differences | Recommendations | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3200
Size Smaller 125x96x76 mm vs 129x98x78 mm
Help
 Around 10% smaller
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 276 ms vs 302 ms
Help
 Around 10% less delay when taking photos
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 540 shots vs 500 shots
Help
 Around 10% more shots per battery charge
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 400 ms vs 500 ms
Help
 20% less delay when turning on
Lowest price Cheaper $546.95 vs $696.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $150 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Weight Lighter 505 g vs 555 g
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Thickness Thinner 3" vs 3.1"
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D3200 Learn more about
the Nikon D3200

Advantages of the Nikon D5200
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,284 ISO vs 1,131 ISO
Help
 The D5200 has a slight edge (0.2 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Focus points Many more focus points 39 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points 9 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Overall image quality Better image quality 84.0 vs 81.0
Help
 Almost the same
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The D5200's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.9 EV vs 13.2 EV
Help
 0.7 f-stops more dynamic range
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.5x15.6mm vs APS-C 23.2x15.4mm
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 5 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 Around 30% faster continuous shooting
Nikon D5200 Learn more about
the Nikon D5200
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3200 Nikon D3200
75 vs 86
Explain scores
Nikon D5200 Nikon D5200
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5200.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D3200:1,131 ISO
D5200:1,284 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
D3200:81.0
D5200:84.0
Color depth Good color depth Help
D3200:24.1 bits
D5200:24.2 bits
True resolution Capture extremely high resolution images Help
D3200:24.1 MP
D5200:24 MP
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
D3200:13.2 EV
D5200:13.9 EV
Lens availability Many lenses available Help
169 lenses
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Lens focus motor No focus motor Help
Won't autofocus with all lenses
Fastest shutter speed Slow max shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Viewfinder coverage Below average viewfinder coverage Help
95%
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
D3200:276 ms
D5200:302 ms
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Autofocus Slower contrast detection video autofocus Help
slower focusing
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Viewfinder size Below average viewfinder size Help
D3200:0.50x
D5200:0.51x
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$585 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Weight Is slightly heavier
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the D5100 vs the D3200
Compare the D5100 vs the D5200
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$595 - $599 with 18-55mm lens
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3200
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5200
Canon Rebel T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $799 body only

$731 - $899 with 18-55mm lens
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D3200
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D5200
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D7000 vs the D3200
Compare the D7000 vs the D5200
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Thickness Is thinner
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
True resolution Takes much lower resolution photos
Compare the D3100 vs the D3200
Compare the D3100 vs the D5200
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$649 - $968 body only

$949 - $1,182 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Weather sealed Has a weather sealed body
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D3200
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5200
Nikon D7100

Nikon D7100

Entry-level DSLR

$1,197 body only

$1,497 with 18-105mm lens
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Lowest price Is much more expensive
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D7100 vs the D3200
Compare the D7100 vs the D5200

Nikon D3200 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3200.

Nikon D5200 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D5200.

appearance

Nikon D3200 Nikon D5200
Nikon D3200 Nikon D5200
Nikon D3200 Nikon D5200

discussion

Showing 14 comments

Avatar for Rodolfo Farinas Rodolfo Farinas (1:42 AM, June 14, 2013)
I hope is not to late for this, but I'm not a professional photographer and I can assure that many of the posters here telling you that the Nikons 3200 and 5200 are not for pros, they are not professional photographers either. Now the advise, a bought a d3200 from amazon and I was so impressed, you have to play with the camera, and have the manual handy while you play with it, I downloaded the PDF manual into my phone, and that way I don't have to carry the book with me. This camera takes crisp beautiful pictures, and it has a very good low light sensibility, meaning that you can take pictures without flash even in places (conditions) where there's not much illumination, and if you programmed the sittings right, you'll get very good pictures. How do you know which setting to apply? You have to play with the camera, and do a little reading from the camera's manual, and in a very short period of time, you'll know what you're doing, and how to get what you want. Now, I ended up returning the D3200, why? not because the quality or something wrong with it, simply because I take a lot or macro (very close) pictures at very small objects, and the D3200 lacks in the focus sometimes, it would give me a hard time trying to focus the picture. So I decided to buy the D5200 instead, which is almost the same camera as the d3200, but with the difference that it has more focusing points, and supposedly will allow you to focus on hard situations a little better. Also the screen is flip out. Not that it is a big plus for me, but it is a convenience when you need it. So I would recommend you either the 3200 or the 5200, both to me are better and more professional cameras, than the "super users and highly skilled photographers" posting pros and cons on many websites.
 
Jon (5:37 AM, May 29, 2013)
I'm looking for an entry level camera.



Should I settle with D5200 with a basic 18-55 lens kit?

or

Should I go with a cheaper D3200 but equipped with a decent lens like 35mm 1.8?

Thanks!
 
Waqar Ahmed (8:04 AM, May 26, 2013)
No dear they falls in Advance Beginners catagory
 
Jimbo (4:26 AM, May 24, 2013)
Hi Brittany
Most of the "Beginner" DSLR cameras are way better than the majority of the film SLRs of old. They have good resolution and the ability to accept a variety of lenses. For what you are trying to do I would suggest the following: purchase a fairly sturdy tripod (a used one from a camera store possibly), a remote trigger for whatever camera you buy, either from the camera manufacturer or a genaric brand (you can get them on ebay). With these you can position and play with your toddler and snap the pictures remotely, no more chasing the kid around with a camera stuck on your eye as you run into a door jamb.
 
Avatar for Brittany Nicole Boyer Brittany Nicole Boyer (6:11 PM, May 23, 2013)
hello, I need some advice. I have been debating on what DSLR to purchase. I am a mother of a toddler (who is constantly on the move) as most parents know its hard to keep a child'd attention to take photos. I have been debating between these 2 cameras but I would like a second opinion. I know these are both entry level but I cannot afford anything more expensive. I was wondering if anyone has used these cameras or any other DSLR cameras in this price range and what your opinions were. I mainly take pictures of children and I just want to take great quality pictures without ending up with blurry faces. I want a camera that has great color quality without burning a hole in my wallet.. Please opinions will be greatly appreciated!!!!!
 
Tintin (4:46 AM, April 14, 2013)
If you are looking for a camera just to practice as a beginner or you just want to change into a DSLR from a point-and-shoot camera, then there are the entry level DSLRs like Nikon D3200. Nikon D5200 is not exactly just an entry level DSLR but its also not a professional DSLR. It comes somewhere in the mid range. It has few complex functions more than the D3200. You also mentioned you want to make money out of your photos. In that case you will have to look at a bit more professional cameras like Nikon D7000 or models above that. They have many more options to manipulate with focus points and lighting which will look good when you take print out or make posters of the photos. I only mentioned few Nikon cameras only. But the DSLR world is much elaborate than you can imagine. So be careful what you choose.
 
Avatar for guliver guliver (6:50 AM, April 06, 2013)
as also can be seen here
https://www.facebook.com/nikon.d5200.photos
 
Surinder (1:14 PM, March 28, 2013)
None of these 4 is a professional camera. All are entry level...
 
Vips (10:46 PM, March 12, 2013)
nikon d5200 is best in above 4 & also consider nikon d5100 before d3200 or t3i & yep they are all entry level DSLR cams
 
Avatar for Brad Higham Brad Higham (5:18 PM, March 12, 2013)
Hello , I am wanting to buy one of these as a beginner , mainly for photography for landscapes and wanting to practice with water photography capturing movements ........

People refer to these cameras as beginner cameras , does that mean you can't take pro style images ,

I would like to make money out of my photos , are these cameras good enough ..

Thanks
 
Avatar for Anoop Agarwal Anoop Agarwal (11:30 AM, March 05, 2013)
they r not professional cameras...................its beginners
 
Avatar for Sarah Sarah (3:11 PM, February 27, 2013)
Hello, I want to buy a professional camera............. I would like some suggestions and technical advice on the following products:

Nikon D3200 Camera Kit-18-​​55VR
NIKON D5200-Kit (18-55 VR)
T4i-Camera Canon kit 18-55
Camera Canon T3i kit 18-55

thank you
 
Jeffery Brooke (6:21 AM, February 16, 2013)
No built-in focus motor is pointed out in common weaknesses.
 
Ed (6:12 PM, November 14, 2012)
The D5200 does not have a built-in focus motor... Please correct your specs - Thanks!