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I've got a Nikon D5100 and I've loved it for about a year and a half now. It's perfect for the light photography I do throughout the year. What I wish it did was control the video options a little better. The D5200 does just that with a few extras that I really don't think I'll benefit from. The extra megapixels on the same sensor are a little turn off and some people say the extra focus points are kind of overkill. I've not had a problem with the 11 points on the 5100. Anyway. Does anyone have any input on this or facing the same issue? I'd love to not spend the money on an upgrade, but if I get to do a little more experimenting with video I may really be happy.

if it is working then i would stay with what you have. i think i am in the same boat. i use a d7000 for a lot of indoor work for my company. i would love to get some better low light results but i dont think you are going to see too much from a 1 generation jump. save our money for some faster lenses or a full frame camera like the d600.

bernardo78 wrote:

I've got a Nikon D5100 and I've loved it for about a year and a half now. It's perfect for the light photography I do throughout the year. What I wish it did was control the video options a little better. The D5200 does just that with a few extras that I really don't think I'll benefit from. The extra megapixels on the same sensor are a little turn off and some people say the extra focus points are kind of overkill. I've not had a problem with the 11 points on the 5100. Anyway. Does anyone have any input on this or facing the same issue? I'd love to not spend the money on an upgrade, but if I get to do a little more experimenting with video I may really be happy.

I think you answered your own question. If anything, go to a B&M and play with the video features of the camera to see if you would in reality take advantage of them.

I think Jive and yourself answered your question. BUT

What you get with the video modes on the 5200 are 720p60 and 1080i60. So sports will be more fluid and you can do better slow motion. Ether mode is going to increase post.

The extra focusing points are quite nice and will really help with your framing in pictures with people/animals. However the extra points are still in the same "area" of the 11 you have now, so its more like a micro adjustment.

IMO if you want to upgrade I would wait for the D7000 successor.

bernardo78 wrote:

I've got a Nikon D5100 and I've loved it for about a year and a half now. It's perfect for the light photography I do throughout the year. What I wish it did was control the video options a little better. The D5200 does just that with a few extras that I really don't think I'll benefit from. The extra megapixels on the same sensor are a little turn off and some people say the extra focus points are kind of overkill. I've not had a problem with the 11 points on the 5100. Anyway. Does anyone have any input on this or facing the same issue? I'd love to not spend the money on an upgrade, but if I get to do a little more experimenting with video I may really be happy.

The D5200 is massively better at video than the D5100, in fact, is better than the D800.

If you're really keen on (amateur) video, it's pretty attractive. But it's limited to 24 Mbps, so beware high bitrate scenes.

If you're really serious about video, though (but not serious enough to buy into a Blackmagic camera), a Nex5R/Fuji X-E1/Lumix GH3 with a Metabones speed booster adapter and some adapted Nikon/Canon glass is probably the enthusiast choice right now. The NEX and Fuji (with the SB) will give you the 'full-frame look' and better focus aids, while the GH3 has higher bitrates and all-I mode. Note that to work with the SB, the NEX and Fuji will require full-frame glass, while the GH3 will work with the SB on both FF and DX/EF-S/APS-C glass.

If you're just dabbling and want good, high quality video as a secondary function from your DSLR, then go for the D5200.

Voldenuit wrote:

The D5200 is massively better at video than the D5100, in fact, is better than the D800.

If you're really keen on (amateur) video, it's pretty attractive. But it's limited to 24 Mbps, so beware high bitrate scenes.

If you're really serious about video, though (but not serious enough to buy into a Blackmagic camera), a Nex5R/Fuji X-E1/Lumix GH3 with a Metabones speed booster adapter and some adapted Nikon/Canon glass is probably the enthusiast choice right now. The NEX and Fuji (with the SB) will give you the 'full-frame look' and better focus aids, while the GH3 has higher bitrates and all-I mode. Note that to work with the SB, the NEX and Fuji will require full-frame glass, while the GH3 will work with the SB on both FF and DX/EF-S/APS-C glass.

If you're just dabbling and want good, high quality video as a secondary function from your DSLR, then go for the D5200.

How does the 5200 compare to a $500 (cost of the upgrade) camcorder?

w00tstock wrote:

How does the 5200 compare to a $500 (cost of the upgrade) camcorder?

Well, they're not directly comparable. Typical sensor sizes for (consumer) camcorders are in the 1/6"-1/3" range*. Even the 1/3" sensor is over 20 times smaller than the APS-C sensor on the D5200. The D5200 will outshine the camcorder optically in nearly all circumstances.

D5200 Pros:
More flexible lens options (interchangeable)
Better low light video
Better dynamic range
More 'filmic' look - more fast lens options, and better payoff for fast glass than camcorder
Shallow DOF (for those that want this)

$500 camcorder:
Longer reach on lens
Faster AF
Deeper DOF (for those that want this)
Less moire on 3CCD designs (although the D5200 has very low moire for a vDSLR)

* You can get large sensor camcorders, but they won't be $500 (NEX FS100 has an APS-C sensor and is ~$4,000).

The D5200 is massively better at video than the D5100, in fact, is better than the D800.

If you're really keen on (amateur) video, it's pretty attractive. But it's limited to 24 Mbps, so beware high bitrate scenes.

If you're really serious about video, though (but not serious enough to buy into a Blackmagic camera), a Nex5R/Fuji X-E1/Lumix GH3 with a Metabones speed booster adapter and some adapted Nikon/Canon glass is probably the enthusiast choice right now. The NEX and Fuji (with the SB) will give you the 'full-frame look' and better focus aids, while the GH3 has higher bitrates and all-I mode. Note that to work with the SB, the NEX and Fuji will require full-frame glass, while the GH3 will work with the SB on both FF and DX/EF-S/APS-C glass.

If you're just dabbling and want good, high quality video as a secondary function from your DSLR, then go for the D5200.

I looked at some of those videos on the link you posted. Those really blew me away. I'm glad other people see the 5200 as an upgrade in video quality. I thought I was just trying to convince myself or something. So it seems to me that video is the biggest reason to upgrade here. I think my next move is to go play with one. Thanks everybody.

Well I'm getting sold on the D5200 for video lol. Watched some videos from it and its pretty nice.

I'm gonna revise my opinion to a buy IF the OP already has some 2.8 glass and an external mic system. If not I would suggest getting those things first.

Isn't the real question with DSLR video the zoom and focus issues more so than the back-end or lens support? While pretty good at static video, if you or your subject are going to be moving at all, a dedicated video camera sounds like a better investment. I've not found trying to zoom and/or focus on the fly very intuitive on my 60D so far, though the newer Nikon D5200 might have more success.