I posted a few days ago regarding what camera I should get with my $800.00 budget. After a week of research, I went with the D5200. I paid $775.00 on eBay that included an 18-55mm VR AF-S lens. That deal was cheaper than Amazon body only ($796), Adorama, Beach Camera and 17th St Photo. I chose it over the Canon T5i, Nikon D3200 & D7100 and over the Panasonic GH3. In all honesty, I didn't research any Sony's or other brands because these brands are for the most part the undisputed leaders in DSLR video based on my initial readings.
I read thru all kinds of review sites and watched tons of videos on YouTube, both of reviews and test shots. Its worth noting that dpreview.com was the most helpful overall and eoshd.com had a D5200 review soley on the video aspects of the camera that made my choice easy.
Features that were important to me were:
DSLR - I want lens flexibility over a camcorder, period.
HD - 1080p @ 24fps
Slow Motion - 720p @ 60fps
Time Lapse - Intervelometer
Features that grew on me after reading were:
The hinged swivel screen - The practical flexibility here while shooting is something to really think about
Stereo Mic with gain control - Yes DSLR audio blows but at least this mic is a step up from unusable
Latest fastest processor
Latest best sensor
The D5200 had the features which were most important to me as far as video. None of the higher priced models like the D7100 or the GH3 offered much of anything I personally considered critical based on my above list. After reading many reviews, it sounds like the D5200 pretty much dominates all the low light comparisons. This was important because I'm not in a position to drop a grip on lighting equipment yet. Also shooting at night is completely possible which keeps my creative options open. All of the very techy image quality & color quality talk was above me, but basically the reviews said that this camera is better than all of the higher end Nikons hands down. I learned about Moire, and after seeing pictures of it, I knew instantly that I'd seen it before. The D5200 outperformed virtually all cameras including the GH3 in this department when it came to Moire, sharpness and color.
Please note that this review was based on the research that I did coming from a position of unbiased inexperience when it comes to DSLRs. I'm sure some will swear by their cameras and much of what I said will be up for debate. But basically the neutral reviews of what I watched and read led me to the D5200.
Finally, a note on lenses. I learned prime lenses are the way to go. Oh and lenses are $&@/ing expensive but CRITICAL to study up on because it may influence your camera body purchase. I learned that kit lenses are shit and not even worth buying...but I will say I got mine because it came with the body and that package was STILL cheaper than the best body-only deal I could find.
The lenses I now want are:
Tokina 11-16mm ~ 600 - Awesome wide angle shots that look awesome on screen
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 ~ $300 - Will be my goto 50mm equivalent (On Full-Frame Cameras)
Finally, if I can give one piece of buying advice it's this: it's easy to get caught up in more features and start justifying more expensive cameras. You say to yourself, "Yeah, I might want to be able to do that in the future." STOP, just chill, start with an actual project in mind that you might want to do and start with that. It keeps you grounded...which gets especially true when it comes to lenses.
At this point, I'm stoked on my purchase. Ask me any questions you've got!
I read thru all kinds of review sites and watched tons of videos on YouTube, both of reviews and test shots. Its worth noting that dpreview.com was the most helpful overall and eoshd.com had a D5200 review soley on the video aspects of the camera that made my choice easy.
Features that were important to me were:
DSLR - I want lens flexibility over a camcorder, period.
HD - 1080p @ 24fps
Slow Motion - 720p @ 60fps
Time Lapse - Intervelometer
Features that grew on me after reading were:
The hinged swivel screen - The practical flexibility here while shooting is something to really think about
Stereo Mic with gain control - Yes DSLR audio blows but at least this mic is a step up from unusable
Latest fastest processor
Latest best sensor
The D5200 had the features which were most important to me as far as video. None of the higher priced models like the D7100 or the GH3 offered much of anything I personally considered critical based on my above list. After reading many reviews, it sounds like the D5200 pretty much dominates all the low light comparisons. This was important because I'm not in a position to drop a grip on lighting equipment yet. Also shooting at night is completely possible which keeps my creative options open. All of the very techy image quality & color quality talk was above me, but basically the reviews said that this camera is better than all of the higher end Nikons hands down. I learned about Moire, and after seeing pictures of it, I knew instantly that I'd seen it before. The D5200 outperformed virtually all cameras including the GH3 in this department when it came to Moire, sharpness and color.
Please note that this review was based on the research that I did coming from a position of unbiased inexperience when it comes to DSLRs. I'm sure some will swear by their cameras and much of what I said will be up for debate. But basically the neutral reviews of what I watched and read led me to the D5200.
Finally, a note on lenses. I learned prime lenses are the way to go. Oh and lenses are $&@/ing expensive but CRITICAL to study up on because it may influence your camera body purchase. I learned that kit lenses are shit and not even worth buying...but I will say I got mine because it came with the body and that package was STILL cheaper than the best body-only deal I could find.
The lenses I now want are:
Tokina 11-16mm ~ 600 - Awesome wide angle shots that look awesome on screen
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 ~ $300 - Will be my goto 50mm equivalent (On Full-Frame Cameras)
Finally, if I can give one piece of buying advice it's this: it's easy to get caught up in more features and start justifying more expensive cameras. You say to yourself, "Yeah, I might want to be able to do that in the future." STOP, just chill, start with an actual project in mind that you might want to do and start with that. It keeps you grounded...which gets especially true when it comes to lenses.
At this point, I'm stoked on my purchase. Ask me any questions you've got!
