Is a camera with an APS-C sensor inferior to a camera with a full frame sensor, which can still be gotten with some cameras under $1200?
Absolutely the APS class sensor cameras are inferior to FF sensor cameras.
Except in those situations where APS cameras are clearly superior to FF.
The superior camera is going to be the camera you use. I used to shoot FF Canon but some years ago I switched to Fuji APS. I use the Fuji more than I used to use the Canon and that makes the Fuji an upgrade for me. The Canon was much larger and much much heavier and I basically stopped using it and instead would keep using my pocketable compact (Samsung). I reached the point where I would use the Canon once every couple months. So I sold it. The last four times now that I've used a camera to take photos I've used my compact. It's on my desk right now. The Fuji gets more use than the Canon but it's in a bag in the closet and when I go out later today the compact is going with me. Looks like my little 1/1.7 sensor compact is my superior camera. It replaced my Canon FF camera and still gets more use than my Fuji APS camera.
I've done some backpacking and canoe camping -- extensive canoe camping. If I were planing a canoe trip right now my compact would be the camera going along.
When do I absolutely need a better camera than my compact?
1. Low light conditions. I have to break out the Fuji if I need to shoot hand-held in dim indoor light, otherwise the compact is fine and I do have a tripod.
2. Long lens. My compact has a fixed zoom lens: 24mm -- 90mm equivalent and so I need to get the Fuji if I want to use a long telephoto lens which for me at least is very rare. I'm more likely to reach for my Fuji when I need a wider lens although the compact will usually handle it.
3. Any kind of action. The compact is slow. None of that X frames per second stuff or follow focus or quick focus on a moving subject. For still photos it's fine.
4. Large print IQ. I've made 16x20 prints from my compact and they're respectable but yes I can do better with the Fuji. 8x10 print size or photos here on the Internet and you can't tell them apart.
The D7200 is a fabulous camera. A FF sensor camera will give you an edge in low light conditions and slightly more fine detail if you plan to make large prints. Do you plan to make large prints? Or are you going to do like most of us and share photos electronically and make occasional 8x10 prints.
That edge the FF camera gives you is just that an edge. Stop looking at DX0 scores. Modern cameras are all amazingly capable and you'll find the differences minor except in a few specialty areas. Specialty area:
Auto focus. Do you need to photograph fast action? Do you need a camera that will lock focus on a hawk diving out of the sky or a racing cyclist? Do you need that camera to keep shooting in focus at 6 frames per second as the cyclist comes around the turn? That camera will most likely be an APS DSLR given state of the tech. Specialty area:
Long lenses. Goes with the previous issue. Are you stalking wildlife or trying to shoot sports action from the sidelines? Same camera as previous. Specialty area:
Portraits & fashion. Portrait photogs can't get the DOF shallow enough to make them happy using FF cameras. They're drooling over the newest MF cameras that are finally coming down to $10,000. Specialty area:
Available low light. Do you need to take photos (often of people) in low-light indoor environments? Do you need to take photos in a bar? Low light performers are the FF cameras (it's an edge difference). Specialty area:
Ego insecurity. You've got to have the camera that speaks volumes about how awesome a photog you are. You don't sound to me like you're a specialty area photog.
When you started this thread you said, "My passion is wilderness - backpacking, canoe camping and hiking - and taking pictures while doing these things. I'm not afraid of a little bit of weight (DSLR and lenses) but wouldn't mind going mirrorless and lighter if it's just as good...and there was a pretty good selection of pretty darn good and affordable lenses. Part of me wished mirrorless killed off DSLR...or mirrorless never came about...because I don't know how to pick one." I hear that as you've heard mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter and you want to take a camera backpacking. Smaller and lighter is a backpacking advantage for sure.
Gary suggested MFT if you go mirrorless -- good point as you can get an ILC and very small and light (batteries). The Oly Pens and Panasonics are nice cameras. The sensor is shrinking but that makes the camera and lenses smaller. My compact fits in my pocket. You're not getting a D7200 with lens in your pocket. Backpacking, canoe camping and hiking are all about what you're carrying with you. Gary said this: "There is no clear choices. All modern interchangeable lens cameras deliver a great image." I'll expand that to include compact cameras. Stop looking at DX0 sensor scores and pick the camera that you're really going to carry with you. That's the camera that takes the best photos.
Joe
Edit: Derrel's recommend for the Nikon D5400 is hard to beat. I get a lot of those in class with my students and it's an excellent camera and real bang for the buck. Also, I know something about what you want to do -- here's from seven weeks down the Mississippi:
You buy an expensive DSLR and multiple lenses and pack them up in a water-tight case (of course) and then pack that case into your strapped down luggage and you'll come back from a trip with 9 out of 10 photos taken with your phone camera. When the camera is ancillary to this kind of activity and has to be packed for the trip it won't get the kind of use you thought it would.
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