Of course, the launch is vitally important for the success of any product. The camera market is particularly competitive at the moment and so Nikon will be hoping that their launch of the new D5200 will capture the imagination of potential customers and strike fear into the hearts of their rivals. If not, many of those potential customers will want have a good look at what else is out there that fits either similar spec requirements or similar price range. There is no room for complacency here as the entry-level D-SLR market is keenly fought for and highly competitive. If the D5200 gets the 24MP sensor of its sibling the D3200, then at least it will be amongst the largest in its class. And if it can claim to be a sports camera by pushing its current 4FPS along, then that is even better. But it also has to offer something to those photographers who value low light excellence and a more rigorous focussing system. And don't forget the movie makers out there. The D5100 is a great starter for videographers, but things move on and the D5200 has to at least improve the frame rate. Even so, if the D5200 can deliver all this for a reasonable price, it faces stiff competition....
THE NIKON D5100 - When Nikon announced the D3200, they also confirmed that the D3100 would still be available and so it's fair to assume that the D5100 will still be on offer for a while after the D5200 launch. It is also likely to be cheaper. The D5100 is a great camera, user friendly and with superb image quality, both stills and video. The articulated screen makes shooting at high or low angles so much easier and the external stereo Mic give good sound quality to add the HD video. The 16MP file, when combined with Nikon lenses, is really all most of us will need and the ISO span, which extends to 25,600 is splendid. It handles noise well and give tremendous image detail. 4FPS burst speed is a little slow, these days, but apart from that this camera is well worth the money.
THE NIKON D3200 - This camera, recently upgraded from the D3100, has made a huge impact, not least because of the 24 Megapixel sensor, which rivals cameras in more expensive classes. The image quality is excellent, as might be expected, and the external stereo Mic now allows the HD video Mode full rein. The decent ISO range (up to 6400) and versatile shutter speed makes this an impressive performer in low light. Only the burst speed seems a little slow at 4FPS. However, nobody can ignore this top quality camera that is currently leading the field.
THE CANON EOS 650D/Rebel T4i - Newly launched, this camera shows that Canon mean business. Offering an 18MP sensor, taken from the 7D, a top ISO of 25,600 and 5FPS the 650D wants to trample over the opposition. The full HD video function and stereo sound will appeal to photographers who want to mix disciplines. The articulated touch screen is new to this class and the contrast autofocus is something you are more likely to find in the Compact Systems Camera bracket. However, apart from these innovative additions, it has many of the characteristics of the 600D/Rebel T3i.
THE CANON EOS 600D/ Rebel T3i - This is Canon's main camera in this class and offers a great combination of features at a very reasonable price. It offers a 18MP file, which is big enough for enthusiast and professional alike in most cases, and with Canon lenses the image quality is excellent. It also offers HD Video with an external socket and, like the D5100, an articulated back screen though the 9- point autofocus and 3.7 FPS burst speed are a little below what might be expected. However, this is a formidable camera and an excellent introduction to 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 - Of course the big two dominate the D-SLR classes, but for those who aren't tied to either Nikon or Canon, it's worth while looking at other manufacturers. The Pentax K-30 is an excellent camera that sits at the upper end of this class, both in price and functionality. It offers a 16 MegaPixel file size and, unusually, has 100% view through the viewfinder, which makes cropping much easier. 6 Frames per Second burst speed is pretty good, and the buffer has good capacity (allowing 30 frames per burst). The HD video is impressive and offers 24,25 or 30 FPS. Pentax also offer the option to power the camera with normal AA batteries which can be very useful. Designed for the outdorrs, it is made of toughened plastic and is completely weather-sealed. Price with 18-55mm lens $900/650
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 A57 - Sony have taken a different path to other major manufacturers. This is an SLT rather than a D-SLR, with the light travelling trhough a translucent mirror, instead of bouncing off it. The technology has bedded into the Sony systems and produced creditable results. The 16 MP files stand up against any of the other brands, though it does suffer slightly in low light. One advantage is that you can view your image constantly through the viewfinder when shooting. The maximum burst speed is an impressive 10FPS at full size and the Full HD video can shoot at 25 or 50 FPS. Combined with a useful digital zoom function and a 16,000 ISO, this is a formidable camera. Price 500 /$700
THE SONY ALPHA 37 - This recent launch aims to put Sony back on the beginner level map again. It is fairly basic, but has some innovative functionality. It also is a SLT camera and has a maximum ISO of 16,000. Burst speed can get up to 7FPS, though for full size frames, is set to 5.5FPS. The in-camera zoom function can double your lens length with hardly any quality loss. It has a useful tiltable screen and HD video. Price $550/ 400
THE NIKON D5100 - When Nikon announced the D3200, they also confirmed that the D3100 would still be available and so it's fair to assume that the D5100 will still be on offer for a while after the D5200 launch. It is also likely to be cheaper. The D5100 is a great camera, user friendly and with superb image quality, both stills and video. The articulated screen makes shooting at high or low angles so much easier and the external stereo Mic give good sound quality to add the HD video. The 16MP file, when combined with Nikon lenses, is really all most of us will need and the ISO span, which extends to 25,600 is splendid. It handles noise well and give tremendous image detail. 4FPS burst speed is a little slow, these days, but apart from that this camera is well worth the money.
THE NIKON D3200 - This camera, recently upgraded from the D3100, has made a huge impact, not least because of the 24 Megapixel sensor, which rivals cameras in more expensive classes. The image quality is excellent, as might be expected, and the external stereo Mic now allows the HD video Mode full rein. The decent ISO range (up to 6400) and versatile shutter speed makes this an impressive performer in low light. Only the burst speed seems a little slow at 4FPS. However, nobody can ignore this top quality camera that is currently leading the field.
THE CANON EOS 650D/Rebel T4i - Newly launched, this camera shows that Canon mean business. Offering an 18MP sensor, taken from the 7D, a top ISO of 25,600 and 5FPS the 650D wants to trample over the opposition. The full HD video function and stereo sound will appeal to photographers who want to mix disciplines. The articulated touch screen is new to this class and the contrast autofocus is something you are more likely to find in the Compact Systems Camera bracket. However, apart from these innovative additions, it has many of the characteristics of the 600D/Rebel T3i.
THE CANON EOS 600D/ Rebel T3i - This is Canon's main camera in this class and offers a great combination of features at a very reasonable price. It offers a 18MP file, which is big enough for enthusiast and professional alike in most cases, and with Canon lenses the image quality is excellent. It also offers HD Video with an external socket and, like the D5100, an articulated back screen though the 9- point autofocus and 3.7 FPS burst speed are a little below what might be expected. However, this is a formidable camera and an excellent introduction to 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 - Of course the big two dominate the D-SLR classes, but for those who aren't tied to either Nikon or Canon, it's worth while looking at other manufacturers. The Pentax K-30 is an excellent camera that sits at the upper end of this class, both in price and functionality. It offers a 16 MegaPixel file size and, unusually, has 100% view through the viewfinder, which makes cropping much easier. 6 Frames per Second burst speed is pretty good, and the buffer has good capacity (allowing 30 frames per burst). The HD video is impressive and offers 24,25 or 30 FPS. Pentax also offer the option to power the camera with normal AA batteries which can be very useful. Designed for the outdorrs, it is made of toughened plastic and is completely weather-sealed. Price with 18-55mm lens $900/650
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 A57 - Sony have taken a different path to other major manufacturers. This is an SLT rather than a D-SLR, with the light travelling trhough a translucent mirror, instead of bouncing off it. The technology has bedded into the Sony systems and produced creditable results. The 16 MP files stand up against any of the other brands, though it does suffer slightly in low light. One advantage is that you can view your image constantly through the viewfinder when shooting. The maximum burst speed is an impressive 10FPS at full size and the Full HD video can shoot at 25 or 50 FPS. Combined with a useful digital zoom function and a 16,000 ISO, this is a formidable camera. Price 500 /$700
THE SONY ALPHA 37 - This recent launch aims to put Sony back on the beginner level map again. It is fairly basic, but has some innovative functionality. It also is a SLT camera and has a maximum ISO of 16,000. Burst speed can get up to 7FPS, though for full size frames, is set to 5.5FPS. The in-camera zoom function can double your lens length with hardly any quality loss. It has a useful tiltable screen and HD video. Price $550/ 400
About the Author:
Jeremy Bayston has worked in the Photo industry for over twenty years and has written about cameras and photography on various photographic websites. Check out his site devoted to the Nikon D5200 for the latest news about this new D-SLR. Sign up for his newsletter about the D5200 to be the first to know about the launch date.
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