Nikon D5200 vs Sony SLT Alpha 65 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5200
56
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 65
57
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D5200 and the Sony SLT Alpha 65 are both DSLRs, released in 2012 and 2011 respectively. Their bodies measure 129 x 98 x 78 mm for the Nikon and 132 x 97 x 81 mm for the Sony, so the difference in the bag is small. The D5200 is the lighter carry at 555 g against 622 g, a 67 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 6, 2012 | August 24, 2011 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 78 mm | 132 x 97 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 555 g | 622 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Alpha 65 is the stronger choice for action photography, shooting at 10 fps compared with 5 fps on the D5200. It also offers in-body stabilisation, which helps keep handheld shots sharp at slower shutter speeds with unstabilised lenses. Its electronic viewfinder shows 2,359,000 dots, so you can preview exposure and framing before pressing the shutter. The D5200 counters with 39 autofocus points against 19, giving you more points to place over off-centre subjects. Resolution sits close at 24.1 versus 24.3 megapixels on APS-C CMOS sensors, so both leave ample room to crop. The Sony's native ISO ceiling reaches 16000 against the Nikon's 6400, 2.5 times higher, permitting faster shutter speeds in dim light. Each uses its own native lens system, Nikon F DX versus Sony Alpha DT. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.1 MP050 | 24.3 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 | 6000 x 4000 |
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 | 10 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 DT |
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 | 190300 |
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 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D5200 is the more convenient camera for timelapse, because it offers a built-in intervalometer that the Alpha 65 lacks. Beyond that, both record video up to Full HD and support frame rates up to 60 fps, so the split here is workflow rather than clip quality. File formats differ, with the D5200 recording MOV and the Alpha 65 recording AVCHD or MP4, so check which container suits your editing software before committing. | ||
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 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 65 offers built-in GPS, tagging every photo with location data, which is useful for travel and documentary work. The D5200 has no GPS. The rear setups are shared instead, with a flip-out 3-inch, 921,000-dot LCD on both, plus live view, a built-in flash and support for an external flash. Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so wireless transfer and harsh-weather protection are not part of this choice. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | 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 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery ratings are nearly identical, at 500 shots for the D5200 and 510 for the Alpha 65 under their test conditions, so endurance should not drive this decision. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and the Sony additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media. Neither supports USB charging. | ||
| 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 | 510 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony SLT Alpha 65 if you photograph moving subjects such as sports or wildlife, because its 10 fps burst and in-body stabilisation both serve that work. Its GPS also suits travel photographers who want locations recorded automatically. Choose the Nikon D5200 if you value the lighter body for a day of walking, its wider 39-point AF spread, or built-in timelapse for landscapes.
Lens system is a genuine commitment either way: the D5200 uses Nikon F DX glass and the Alpha 65 uses Sony Alpha DT lenses, and neither mount fits the other. With near-identical resolution and shared Full HD video limits, your shooting style and lens collection should make the call.