Nikon D5200 it is! Any last recommendations before I make the big investment?

I finally decided, after a long thought-out process that the camera I want is the Nikon D5200! I'm simply doing photography as a hobby for now, I've taken many classes and now it's time to get even more experience! Now on my own with my own camera, yay! I will be taking fun photos for friends and family at no cost, just for fun. I hope I'm making the right choice! Just need some last minute opinions based on experience!

Total waste of money but it's your choice

I have both a Nikon and a Pentax - they both have their pros and cons. Pros for the Nikon D3200 it has an external mike socket and therefore takes great videos Cons - I have tried other makes of lenses on it and they just don't work which means you have to pay more for Nikkor lenses. Also, it is not weather resistant. Pros for the Pentax K-30 I have it is weather resistant and I bought a weather resistant lens with it as a bundle. Since then I have amassed a collection of secondhand Pentax lenses from old Pentax film cameras that will work with any Pentax dslr and these are very cheap. Cons the quality of the video sound is terrible - it is mono and not stereo. So on rainy days I take the WR Pentax and WR lens and a small waterproof point and shoot in case I want to video something

Your choice is a fine one, but do not think that having a splendid camera will allow you to avoid learning the fundamentals of photography or putting in the necessary time to get enough experience to produce amazing photos each time you press the shutter release.

Asking this question after you have done all your research seems a bit odd. Second guessing yourself is not doing you any good and will possibly negate all the work you did in your research

Buy the camera and start learning how to use it. Be patient with yourself and take your time learning how to use all the controls on the camera

The only advice I would give is to give yourself at least two years with this camera before you even consider anything else. It will take time to really learn how to get the best out of it. Too many people make unnecessary upgrades before they have even gotten close to unlocking the potential of their current camera (and I've been guilty of this in the past!).

Take your time and enjoy yourself, don't rush in and assume you can "crack" photography in a short time.