At last the much leaked Nikon D600 is out and we can all have a good look at it. Designed to fill the niche between the D800, which is essentially a Pro camera, and the D7000, the D600 is a full frame enthusiast camera that will compete with canon's EOS 5D. File size is still the main selling pint for cameras in this range and the D600 offers a24MP file against the EOS 5D which offers 22MP. It does seem that the 36MP sensor, which is at the core of the Nikon D800 will be reserved for the top of the range DSLRs. However, for those of who are waiting for the D5200 to arrive, what clues can we get from the specs of the new D600? 
Whilst camera manufacturers offer a large variety of products to entice buyers, they are forced to work to the economies of scale. They all minimize their spread of components where ever possible and so we should be able to make some educated guesses about the D5200 from what Nikon have put into the D600. As already mentioned, the file size for the D5200 is probably going to be 24MP and this will be the Nikon default size in their entry-level DSLR range. It is big enough for almost any purpose and a significant increase on the d5100's 16 Mp file.
The D600 can offer both FX and DX functionality which offers extra flexibility and the ability to use the different lenses as intended. However, I don't think that the D5200 will extend into FX territory. Whilst FX was once seen as the best way to shoot, most enthusiasts are quite happy shooting DX and would prefer to take the extended lens length against the full frame crop. Offering FX for the D5200 would just increase cost for little benefit.
The shutter speed on the D600 is no faster than many of it's stablemates - 1/4000. This is disappointing as it suggests that the d5200 won't go faster than its current 1/4000. The burst rate on the D600 is also slower than I would have expected at 5FPS. I was hoping that the D5200 would have at least 6FPS, but that now looks unlikely, making it hard to justify as an action camera. An entry-level camera like the D5200 should offer the photographer the chance to test his skills and push boundaries and I don't think either the shutter speed or the burst rate on the d5200 are going to be very impressive.
It does look like the D5200 will have an improved AF system. The D600 offers the 39 point AF and I would be surprised if the D5200 doesn't match that. I think the 51 point AF system will be held back for the higher end DSLRs. I also think it is unlikely that the pentamirror system, which gives a 95% view through the viewfinder will be upgraded. It does a pretty good job, and whilst the restricted view is annoying on paper, people get used to it very quickly. The introduction of a pentaprism and 100% view would increase the price for little benefit.
And the D5200 will have two memory card slots. This was a real inconvenience in the D5100, particularly if you are shooting RAW files or video. Dual memory slots allows you to save still in two formats at the same time, or double your capacity. Two slots are a basic requirement these days.
The D600 has an auto brightness function on the LCD monitor. The D5100's articulated monitor has been a great success and it would be great if the D5200 could continue progress in this area. Why not have the auto brightness function on the D5200 as well? In fact Nikon should be looking hard at whether they can incorporate Canon's touch screen system as well and make the D5200's back screen a unique selling point.
The screen on the D5100 was a great success for the videographers and I hope that Nikon will boost the video functions on the D5200 to allow movie makers to seriously consider buying the camera. I think Nikon will offer another rate for the HD function, enabling a 60FPS option and also a headphone socket, so that you can monitor the sound levels whilst shooting. For the enthusiast, I hope they will incorporate the D600's timelapse movie maker, which allows you to shoot timelapse and then automatically makes it into a movie.
So, while we may have to wait longer than we had hoped for the Nikon D5200, there are encouraging signs from the functionality of the D600. the D5200 is likely to have a 24 MP file size, 5 frames per second burst,1/4000 shutter speed, an improved LCD monitor, 39 point AF system and some neat additions to functionality inside the camera. To keep the costs down, the build will probably be the same toughened plastic. I can't wait to see one......
Whilst camera manufacturers offer a large variety of products to entice buyers, they are forced to work to the economies of scale. They all minimize their spread of components where ever possible and so we should be able to make some educated guesses about the D5200 from what Nikon have put into the D600. As already mentioned, the file size for the D5200 is probably going to be 24MP and this will be the Nikon default size in their entry-level DSLR range. It is big enough for almost any purpose and a significant increase on the d5100's 16 Mp file.
The D600 can offer both FX and DX functionality which offers extra flexibility and the ability to use the different lenses as intended. However, I don't think that the D5200 will extend into FX territory. Whilst FX was once seen as the best way to shoot, most enthusiasts are quite happy shooting DX and would prefer to take the extended lens length against the full frame crop. Offering FX for the D5200 would just increase cost for little benefit.
The shutter speed on the D600 is no faster than many of it's stablemates - 1/4000. This is disappointing as it suggests that the d5200 won't go faster than its current 1/4000. The burst rate on the D600 is also slower than I would have expected at 5FPS. I was hoping that the D5200 would have at least 6FPS, but that now looks unlikely, making it hard to justify as an action camera. An entry-level camera like the D5200 should offer the photographer the chance to test his skills and push boundaries and I don't think either the shutter speed or the burst rate on the d5200 are going to be very impressive.
It does look like the D5200 will have an improved AF system. The D600 offers the 39 point AF and I would be surprised if the D5200 doesn't match that. I think the 51 point AF system will be held back for the higher end DSLRs. I also think it is unlikely that the pentamirror system, which gives a 95% view through the viewfinder will be upgraded. It does a pretty good job, and whilst the restricted view is annoying on paper, people get used to it very quickly. The introduction of a pentaprism and 100% view would increase the price for little benefit.
And the D5200 will have two memory card slots. This was a real inconvenience in the D5100, particularly if you are shooting RAW files or video. Dual memory slots allows you to save still in two formats at the same time, or double your capacity. Two slots are a basic requirement these days.
The D600 has an auto brightness function on the LCD monitor. The D5100's articulated monitor has been a great success and it would be great if the D5200 could continue progress in this area. Why not have the auto brightness function on the D5200 as well? In fact Nikon should be looking hard at whether they can incorporate Canon's touch screen system as well and make the D5200's back screen a unique selling point.
The screen on the D5100 was a great success for the videographers and I hope that Nikon will boost the video functions on the D5200 to allow movie makers to seriously consider buying the camera. I think Nikon will offer another rate for the HD function, enabling a 60FPS option and also a headphone socket, so that you can monitor the sound levels whilst shooting. For the enthusiast, I hope they will incorporate the D600's timelapse movie maker, which allows you to shoot timelapse and then automatically makes it into a movie.
So, while we may have to wait longer than we had hoped for the Nikon D5200, there are encouraging signs from the functionality of the D600. the D5200 is likely to have a 24 MP file size, 5 frames per second burst,1/4000 shutter speed, an improved LCD monitor, 39 point AF system and some neat additions to functionality inside the camera. To keep the costs down, the build will probably be the same toughened plastic. I can't wait to see one......
About the Author:
Jeremy Bayston has worked in the photographic industry for over two decades. He has a particular interest in digital imagery. Go to his website to learn more about the new Nikon D5200 and its release date. Alternatively visit his general digital camera site to read up to date reviews about consumer products.