Nikon D5200 vs Sony SLT Alpha 57 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5200
56
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 57
52
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D5200 and the Sony SLT Alpha 57 are both APS-C DSLRs released in 2012, and your first real decision is which lens system to build on. The D5200 uses the Nikon F DX mount and the Alpha 57 the Sony Alpha mount, so lenses do not swap between them. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 6, 2012 | March 12, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 78 mm | 132 x 98 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 555 g | 618 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 59/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D5200 is the stronger choice when you want room to crop, with 24.1 megapixels against 16.1 on the Alpha 57. The extra pixels help when a distant subject fills only part of the frame, such as a bird across a lake. Its 39 autofocus points, against 15 on the Sony, also spread focusing coverage wider for off-centre subjects. The Alpha 57 answers with advantages for handheld and moving work. It has in-body stabilisation, which steadies every lens you attach, and shoots at up to 12 frames per second against 5 on the Nikon. Its standard ISO range tops out at 16000 against 6400, though both extend to 25600. Both share a 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.1 MP050 | 16.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.6 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 3 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
390300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second, so the top recording limits match. The D5200 adds built-in timelapse for clouds or construction sequences, and records in MOV files many editors handle directly. The Alpha 57 counters with recording format choice, offering AVCHD, MP4 and MPEG-4 AVC. That spread lets you match compression to your editing software or file size limits. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | AVCHD, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesA flip-out screen makes waist-level and overhead framing practical, and both cameras share a 3-inch panel with 921000 dots. Both also offer live view, a built-in flash and an external flash shoe for adding a speedlight later, and neither has touch control. Connectivity and protection also match, with no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS or weather sealing on either body. If geotagging or wireless transfer matters for travel photography, you would add accessories to both. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery ratings favour the Alpha 57, at 550 shots per charge against 500 for the D5200. Each uses its own battery pack, the NP-FM500H and the EN-EL14, so spares do not transfer. Memory Stick support is the Sony's extra, alongside the SD, SDHC and SDXC cards both cameras take. That helps if you already own Sony cards. Both have a single card slot and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 550 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D5200 if your photography rewards cropping latitude and in-camera sequences. Its 24.1 megapixels give real room to tighten wildlife and travel compositions, and built-in timelapse records cloud movement or construction progress the Sony cannot capture in-camera.
Choose the Alpha 57 for action and handheld shooting. Its 12 frames per second burst rate captures fast sequences the D5200's 5 fps cannot match, and in-body stabilisation steadies any lens you mount. The electronic viewfinder displays the live sensor image, so exposure changes show before you shoot. The mount choice should anchor the final decision, since it shapes every future lens purchase.