In Europe this morning, Nikon announced the D5200 SLR as a replacement for the popular D5100 ($649.99), and it looks like it will be a winner. Like the D3200, the D5200 is now fitted with Sony’s 24.1 megapixel sensor, which has received impressive reviews 1 … despite the dubious source. DxOMark touting the sensors in Nikon cameras is nothing new, and some people question the objectivity of their methods , as well as the Expeed 3 processor.
The Nikon D5200 improvements over the D5100 are powerful, including:
- a 39 Point AF system, 9-cross type points (the same system as the Nikon D7000), up from 11 and 1, respectively, in the D5100
- a 2016 pixel metering system (also lifted from the D7000)
- the aforementioned 24.1 megapixel sensor (improved over the 16 megapixels in the D5100)
- improved frame rate to 5 fps (from 4 fps)
The D5200 is also compatible with an optional wireless mobile adapter (WU-1a) that will allow you to connect with Mac or Android devices. For some reason, this camera will be available in your choice of three colors: standard black, metalic red, or metalic brown (oh joy!). There must be a market for them somewhere.
A USA price has not been announced yet. In fact, the camera has only been announced officially in Europe. Rumors are that the official USA announcement will take place at the CES show in January, but I’m skeptical. Certainly Nikon understands that if they have cameras ready for sale, they should put them on the market before Christmas in the USA.
