When Nikon launch the D5200, they will be hoping that its stops the opposition in their tracks. But that is a very tall order these days. The speed of technological change means that today's innovation is tomorrow's ' so what?'. The D5200 can be expected to use the 24Mp sensor of its sibling the D3200, which will make it a class leader. The burst speed can also be expected to improve, perhaps to 8FPS, to give the action photographers something to smile about. And for those who want to push the boundaries in low light or still photography, A higher ISO setting and more focal points is a must. Video is a big selling point in this market and whilst the D5100 has an excellent Movie mode, the D5200 would be expected to at least offer a greater range of frames per second and possibly an out channel for head phones to go with the the external mic socket. All these improvements might well put the D5200 out ahead of it's rivals, but there are still some superb cameras out there that need to be checked out before you decide to buy the 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 - Nobody can ignore this great upgrade the the D3100. Nikon have really thrown down the gauntlet to their rivals with this entry-level camera that challenges many cameras that are considered prosumer or even semi professional cameras. The 24MP file size is astonishing and other features, like the HD video with an external stereo Mic and the decent ISO range mean that it is currently to front runner in its class.
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 1100/ Rebel T3 - This is Canon's offering for those who want to start right at the bottom of the D-SLR range. It is basic and beginner friendly, capable of taking good, if unexceptional, photos. Most decent compact cameras can equal the 12MP files that it can produce, though not necessarily to the same standard. The video option is only 720pp - which is still good enough for web use, but not HD. It offers an intuitive beginners on-screen guide and has a decent autofocus system. This probably wouldn't tempt anyone away from the D5200, but it is a great price for someone who just wants to get started.
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 - 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 - 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 - Nobody can ignore this great upgrade the the D3100. Nikon have really thrown down the gauntlet to their rivals with this entry-level camera that challenges many cameras that are considered prosumer or even semi professional cameras. The 24MP file size is astonishing and other features, like the HD video with an external stereo Mic and the decent ISO range mean that it is currently to front runner in its class.
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 1100/ Rebel T3 - This is Canon's offering for those who want to start right at the bottom of the D-SLR range. It is basic and beginner friendly, capable of taking good, if unexceptional, photos. Most decent compact cameras can equal the 12MP files that it can produce, though not necessarily to the same standard. The video option is only 720pp - which is still good enough for web use, but not HD. It offers an intuitive beginners on-screen guide and has a decent autofocus system. This probably wouldn't tempt anyone away from the D5200, but it is a great price for someone who just wants to get started.
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 - 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 photographic 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 about this exciting D-SLR. Sign up for his newsletter about the D5200 to be the first to know about the launch date.