Is Nikon D5200 worth the money?

I want to learn photography and Nikon D5200 attracts me. However, because I'm new to DSLRs, I do not know if this model is good.

Do you think it is good? Or would you recommend other brands/models?

It is reputed to be good. I have doubts about it being worth much more than the D5100. You need super-duper lenses for the 24 MP sensor of the D5200 to capture more detail than the 16 MP sensor of the D5100.

Only you can determine that by your independent research

* visit the Nikon website
* read the professional reviews of the D5200 on DP Review
* visit the DXO lab website to see how the D5200 sensor compares with others

http://www.dxomark.com/...or-Ratings

Once you fully understand the features and performance of the D5200, visit a proper camera shop and see how the camera feels in your hands

It's not bad, but find a dealer, handle it, and look at the Pentax K-30 and the Sony and Canon equivalents before parting with your cash.

Just about any DSLR has the potential you need - with Sony's SLTs having a marked superiority in video - the only difference being the way they feel in your hands.

NEVER buy a camera without handling it first.

It's a crippled camera that's good enough for photographers who know what they're doing but can't afford a better one. I don't recommend it for newbies but if you are dead serious in learning photography and have enrolled in a class for it then go ahead. You will enjoy the camera.

If not, you will be getting the same quality of pictures you get with your old point-and-shoot camera at a horribly expensive price.

http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2012/09/first-time-dslr-buyers-biggest-mistakes.html

While the D5200 is a good camera, I usually do not recommend buying it. Rather, I recommend buying either the D3200 or D7100.

The reason is that the D5200 is in the middle of the other two cameras price-wise, and even though it is not as expensive as the D7100, it is still an entry level camera.

So my thoughts are if you want to stay with an entry level camera, buy the D3200 and spend that additional money on a better lens, or go to the D7100, which is an advanced amateur camera.

So to summarize, the D5200 is an un-needed step between the D3200 and D7100. That is my reasoning rather than any performance issues with the D5200.

Yes, the D5200 is a very good camera, but really you are paying a lot more than the D5100 for more megapixels and not much else, and you really don't need additional megapixels for excellent photographs. The D5100 has the same excellent sensor as the D7000.It is great in low light and at high ISOs.

The D7000/D7100 is a lot bigger and heavier and you really aren't ready for the extra features. Most people don't need any more than a D5100/D5200.

The D3100/D3200 are more limited in specification and you will soon want to upgrade from them. In particular the low resolution screen on the D3100 makes it definitely worth upgrading to the D5100.

The idea that the D5100/D5200 are somehow unneeded in the range is wrong. They are very good amateur cameras which will take you a long way with your photography. The movable screen is very useful for overhead and low-down closeup shots.

If you don't absolutely need the extra D7000/D7100 functionality the D5100 and D5200 are the best in the range IMHO - but I would seriously consider getting the D5100 and saving quite a bit of dosh.

It's an upper entry level camera. And a very good one. Have a D5000, and have been very pleased with it.