First DSLR for a beginner: Nikon D5100 or D5200? Kit matters.

[SkyCaptain]

Hello TPF people, after a couple of weeks searching, reading, and asking about a camera that will be better for a beginner photographer who cares only about shooting pictures of people mostly and sometimes, nature, landscape and architecture pictures, I have narrowed my choices to the D5100 or the D5200 but with some considerations.

At the beginning, I was confused between a DSLR and a compact but now I know the difference. In this thread, I was comparing between whether to buy the Sony RX 100 compact or the canon 600D but now and after reading, they are not interesting me anymore. Link to the thread:
http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...ed-million-times-already-but.html#post2965557

Thanks for the people who helped me know the difference and thanks for the recommendations as well. However, I still need some help deciding which one to choose out of the following (Bear in my mind that I am ordering very soon because I need it before summer vacation which is like 10 days away from now, for me)

Which one would you recommend out of the following options:

1- A Nikon D5100 with 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm VR Double Lens Kit?
2- A Nikon D5200 with 18-55mm VR lens kit?

The price gap between the two above options is not so big, so which one do you recommend? I know its all about my preference but I am talking about practicality of delivering stunning clear pictures (Of people mostly as I said) even when I zoom these pictures or crop them on the PC? Which one will have a significant face and body details over the other? (I want the one that will enable you to count how many FRECKLES in a face of someone)

NB: I don't really care about videoing.

Thanks in advance for all your recommendations, comments and suggestions.

 

[Designer]

Checked the website, and there just isn't a whole lot of difference that I can see, other than pixel count.

Bear in mind the the 5200 is the newer model, hence the price hike and no long lens.

As for me, yes, I do occasionally use the longer zoom, but the ultimate choice will be yours, so if you can see a use for the longer zoom, then maybe that is the deal you want.

Another thing; that longer zoom is available used practically all the time and it is not going to cost a lot. Check the price of that particular lens, and you may decide to get the newer camera and pick up the 55-200 from another source.

 

[SkyCaptain]

Checked the website, and there just isn't a whole lot of difference that I can see, other than pixel count.

Bear in mind the the 5200 is the newer model, hence the price hike and no long lens.

As for me, yes, I do occasionally use the longer zoom, but the ultimate choice will be yours, so if you can see a use for the longer zoom, then maybe that is the deal you want.

Another thing; that longer zoom is available used practically all the time and it is not going to cost a lot. Check the price of that particular lens, and you may decide to get the newer camera and pick up the 55-200 from another source.

In addition to the pixel count, there is also higher AF points (39 for the D5200 and 11 for the D5100) and a slightly better fps (5 for D5200 and 4 for D5100)

I liked the last suggestion about buying the 55-200mm from another source.

Will this lens be compatible with the D5200? >> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-55-20...8&qid=1369787676&sr=1-2&keywords=50-200+Nikon

If so, I guess then I will buy the D5200 body only and this lens kit for sure!

 

[Designer]

I liked the last suggestion about buying the 55-200mm from another source.

Will this lens be compatible with the D5200?

Yes.

If so, I guess then I will buy the D5200 body only and this lens kit for sure!

Well not so fast! What about the 18-55mm that was quoted with the D5200? IMO, that lens will be on your camera most of the time, so don't overlook it as part of your first kit.

I just noticed that you are linking to Amazon UK. Is the UK your home base of operations?

 

[Derrel]

I would rather have the D5200, just for the newer,better sensor.The better, newer, high-performance autofocusing module is also another big benefit. The D5100 is a decent camera in the mid-level entry segment of the Nikon lineup. Yes, there's a price premium for the D5200 over the D5100, but there is also a sensor performance edge and a better AF system, faster framing rate, and so on in the newer model. The price of the 55-200 or whatever Nikon zoom lenses is almost a non-factor; the lenses in that category are low-cost. Look around this week and look for graduation camera sales and discounts.

The 5100 has a total of 11 AF sensors, and only ONE of them is a cross-type sensor . The D5200 has 39 AF sensors and NINE of them are cross-type.

 

[SkyCaptain]

I liked the last suggestion about buying the 55-200mm from another source.

Will this lens be compatible with the D5200?

Yes.

If so, I guess then I will buy the D5200 body only and this lens kit for sure!

Well not so fast! What about the 18-55mm that was quoted with the D5200? IMO, that lens will be on your camera most of the time, so don't overlook it as part of your first kit.

I just noticed that you are linking to Amazon UK. Is the UK your home base of operations?

Actually no I live in the middle east but I can only order parts from UK since US don't ship to Egypt most of the time.

And yeah, thanks for the advice man, I will guess I will go with the D5200 with its 18-55mm VR Kit Lens for now and update in the future maybe. Cheers.

 

[SkyCaptain]

I would rather have the D5200, just for the newer,better sensor.The better, newer, high-performance autofocusing module is also another big benefit. The D5100 is a decent camera in the mid-level entry segment of the Nikon lineup. Yes, there's a price premium for the D5200 over the D5100, but there is also a sensor performance edge and a better AF system, faster framing rate, and so on in the newer model. The price of the 55-200 or whatever Nikon zoom lenses is almost a non-factor; the lenses in that category are low-cost. Look around this week and look for graduation camera sales and discounts.

The 5100 has a total of 11 AF sensors, and only ONE of them is a cross-type sensor . The D5200 has 39 AF sensors and NINE of them are cross-type.

Thanks for the solid recommendation man. Guess D5200 will be my choice then. I asked this question here on this forum because I knew I would get decisive recommendations, unlike other forums, when I asked this question, it turned into a war between the two camera owners, each one trying to defend his purchase

Thank you, Derrel.

 

[AceCo55]

If you can afford just a little bit more ($200 Australian), then you might want to consider this lens:
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
This lens is a lot better quality than the kit lenses offered ... and if you are only going to get one lens then this one provides a very useful zoom range - and wider than the 18-55 kit.
It may serve you for a longer time so that you can save up for the next lens you might desire.

I think the d5200 is a good choice.

 

[TheLost]

The D5200 has the AF System from the D7000 and D600. Its much better then the AF system on the D5100. The D5200 also lets you use newer Nikon add-ons like the WU-1a wireless adapter.

IMHO... the d5200 is a good choice

 

[bigal1000]

5200 better sensor and much better AF

 

[SkyCaptain]

Thank you guys for your prompt recommendations. I went with the d5200 with default 18-55mm kit and I will be updating in the future.