• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5200 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1849
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,284 vs 1,082 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Lighter weight
    827g vs 1388g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.1 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 103 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Nikon D5200

  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    65 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    65 vs 39
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    26 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Review Excerpt

  • Captures sharp, detailed photos with its new 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, even at higher ISOs; Features a familiar (D5100) but refined body design; Records Full HD video with full-time autofocus tracking; Packs a ton of advanced features into a consumer-friendly body at a great price.

  • Autofocuses a little slowly for its class and struggles at times in low light; Changing some basic settings takes more time and effort than it should; Mediocre kit lens.

  • Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.

  • Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Nikon D5200
Canon 7D
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 7D
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D5200
Canon 6D
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D5200
Sony A65
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 7D Mark II
Sony A65
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200
Nikon D3200
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Canon 7D Mark II
Nikon D3200
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D5200
Sony A58
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 7D Mark II
Sony A58
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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