• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5200 advantages over Nikon Z6

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    827g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 47 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon Z6 advantages over Nikon D5200

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,299 vs 1,284 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.52x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    35 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

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.

  • Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.

  • Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D5200
Sony A65
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon Z6
Sony A65
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200
Nikon D3200
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Nikon Z6
Nikon D3200
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D5200
Sony A58
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon Z6
Sony A58
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony A7 III

Nikon D5200
Sony A7 III
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1665
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Sony A7 III
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen
  • $1665
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon EOS R

Nikon D5200
Canon EOS R
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1632
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Canon EOS R
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1632
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
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