We had the chance to take the Nikon D 5200 for a spin recently at a couple of concerts and fashion previews in Toronto. While the snazzy red body was kind of fun at first (with a matching strap too!) we found after a few uses this particular camera wasn’t the most user friendly as you’d expect when using it for shooting photos and tend to shoot at a more advanced level. It’s main highlight was the stunning video functionality; it comes equip to shoot HD-SLR and the high resolution screen offers a pretty slick play back as well as a swiveling screen.
If you’re using something a little more on a professional level, this might not be the camera for you, but if you’re just starting out, the D5200 allows you the ability to make your photos and videos totally unique when using one of the creative modes like the High Dynamic Range or one of six picture controls.
It comes packing a neat AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens which works well in an indoor well lit setting, however, shooting at a dark concert proved to be quite difficult because in order to adjust the ISO, you have to scroll through functions on the monitor, rather than on the handy command dial, most professional level cameras come with. If you’re planning to use this camera take photos at night without the help of a harsh flash, we’d suggest arriving well ahead of time for whatever event you plan to shoot, so you have plenty of time to play around with the multi selector until you get the ISO just right for the light conditions.
All in all this kit, which retails for $929.95, was pretty fun to use in the daytime, and slightly frustrating to navigate at night. If you’re really into video, we’d highly suggest giving this baby a whirl.