Nikon D5200 DSLR announced for entry-level customer

Nikon India has recently announced the D5200 D-SLR camera, an entry-level model that features the Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor. The sensor has an effective pixel count of approximately 24.1-million pixels. The camera features optical technologies such as an EXPEED 3 image-processing engine, based on the one built into Nikon’s D4 flagship camera. 

The D5200 enables photographers to capture images with the Vari-angle LCD, allowing them to capture self portraits. It also has features such as 39 focus points, Scene Recognition System, i-TTL balanced fill-flash, and auto white-balance control. With the D-Movie function, the camera supports recording of full-HD 1920 × 1080 50i/60i movies for HD movies. 

Recently announced in India

Speaking on the occasion of the announcement, Hiroshi Takashina, managing director, Nikon India, said, “The announcement is a testimony to Nikon’s leadership in the D-SLR category. We have specifically designed this new D-SLR to provide users with excellent performance that can be achieved by other higher-end models. With this launch, the consumers will now be able to capture highly flexible image expression, and reliability that ensures beautiful pictures.”

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“The D5200 is a versatile and compact D-SLR that is well suited for photo-enthusiasts looking for high-end features and full HD video with selectable frame rate of 60i-24p. This camera will definitely bring out the inner creativity of photographers during the festivities around,” said Sajjan Kumar, vice president-imaging, Nikon India

The D5200 also has a Special Effects mode that enables the application and adjustment of special effects while shooting. This makes recording of still images and movies with a variety of forms of expression simple. The camera also sports a range of standard sensitivities, from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with even higher available settings through Hi 2, which is equivalent to approximately ISO 25600.

Nikon claims that the D5200’s DX-format CMOS sensor helps capture images with very little noise, even at higher sensitivities. When used in combination with Nikkor lenses, which feature Nikon’s advanced optical technologies, details will be rendered via the approximately 24.1-million effective pixels. 

The brand claims that advanced noise-reduction processing suppresses noise to preserve textures and details when shooting still images at high sensitivities. The same technology ensures that movies are captured well even when shooing in low-light situations.

Features a vari-angle screen at the back

Utilising the Multi-CAM4800DX autofocus sensor module, the D5200 will track the intended subject with 39 focus points. Nikon claims that along with cross-type sensors for the nine centre focus points, users can achieve reliable focusing and tracking performance. In addition, the number of active focus points can be limited to 11.

As per an official statement by the company, the Scene Recognition System automatically detects shooting conditions and analyses a scene’s brightness and colour information, which is used by the autofocus, auto-exposure, i-TTL balanced fill-flash, and auto white-balance functions. Nikon claims that in order to achieve the best and most apparent results, users should enable 3D-tracking for capturing moving objects. Up to 35 faces can be recognised when recording movies in live view mode with the Face-priority AF enabled, or when faces are enlarged during playback of still images. 

The camera can shoot images continuously at up to approximately 5fps. With the 39 focus points effectively covering the majority of the frame, Nikon claims that the D5200 will acquire and track the intended subject, even rapidly moving ones. Users also have the option of selecting the optimal frame rate for capturing natural human expressions during high-speed continuous shooting, which is approximately 3fps.

The large, 3-inch, approximately 921k-dot LCD monitor features a wide viewing angle previews. It opens to the left from 0–180-degrees, and when opened, can be rotated 180-degrees forwards and 90-degrees backwards. The side-hinge prevents the monitor from hitting a tripod, and allows it to open and rotate without obstruction. 

When filming moving objects or subjects, the user simply enables Contrast-detect AF to activate autofocusing. When the focus mode is set to Full-time servo AF (AF-F) and the AF-area mode to Subject-tracking AF, the camera automatically focuses on a subject moving through the frame.

Users can also manually set shutter speed and ISO sensitivity according to their own preferences. Optional recording frame rates range from 60i or 50i (1080), or 24p, 25p or 30p (1080) per second. The camera is equipped with a stereo microphone, which can assist when recording movies

Seven special effects can be applied to still images and movies. With the option of previewing the special effect on the monitor before capturing or recording the image or movie, users can adjust or confirm results of the effect in real time.

The D5200 weighs approximately 555g, which includes the battery and SD card, but excludes the body cap. It is equipped with a new graphical user interface (GUI).

The Nikon D5200 is available in three colours - black, red, bronze, at an MRP of Rs 46,950 for D5200 body and an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Kit Lens. The product shall be available from December 2012 onwards across India.