NikonD5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera Body Only (Black)

I'm usually a lot more detailed in my reviews and want to do this justice, so I will revisit this when I have more time.However as a once (and maybe future) professional photographer, this is the best entry-level professional camera I've owned. I've had a lot of "prosumer" cameras that never did what I wanted. This one did.It's intuitive (if you're "old-school" like I am, that helps) and if you're not experienced, it's easy to pick up. The F-stop is somewhat limited (I'm used to a much wider range), but the overall options allow for those great depth of field effects (by using the focus settings). Technology makes up where optics may fall short.The built-in flash is kind of weak, but serviceable if you're doing casual shooting. The shooting options are great. How they compare to higher priced cameras, I can't say, but I haven't hit any limits in my shooting. Remote, time-lapse, depth of field, long-exposure, it's done everything I've asked for credibly and reliably.I do recommend a longer lens for distance shooting. The 18-55 mm lens is fine for indoor and panoramic shots. But for distance shots, I recommend going much higher (I added a 55-200mm lens). I also HIGHLY recommend the "VR" and "AF" versions of the Nikor lenses. VR means vibration reduction - essential when shooting long exposure shots (think eclipses). "AF" means autofocus - something you should have for the more complicated shots.For the most part, I do manual focus. I'm faster that way - especially in sports or action shots. For a more controlled shoot, I use autofocus. it does a very good job of that, too.The image quality I consider to be excellent. The standard JPG format is sufficient for almost all uses. For pros, there's a RAW format that they may like. I found the RAW color rendering to be significantly different from the JPG format, and actually LESS 'true color" than what the JPG files showed up. it appeared to mostly be in brightness. YMMV, since I have some color blindness (but I can tell when something looks different than what I'm looking at).Overall, the JPG format suits my needs and I save it at the highest quality to reduce any compression losses as much as possible.On the down side, it's not the camera's fault. The company stopped making the 5200. The new one is the 5300, which I tried out in the stores and didn't like as much. It has a better (as in slightly wider and brighter) viewfinder, slightly brighter colors, but it's not as "intuitive" for me. The color adjustments are easy to fix and I encountered no issues looking through the viewfinder with the 5200.IF you can find one, I think the 5200 is the best value professional level camera you can buy. You can spend (one hell of a lot) more on a better camera, but if you're new to photography, or getting back into it - and really want to get serious about it - this is a great starting point to see how things go. It will stay in your bag, even after you upgrade, because it's, at worst, a really good back-up for a pro unit. It has all the accessories and options you'll likely ever need.Once I have a chance to get my ancient Cokin filters out of storage and see how they work together with this camera, I'll have a better idea of how to finish this review. For the moment, I can say I'm extremely impressed. And assuming you're not an old hand at digital photography, I think you will be impressed, too.

Purchased as refurbished. Basically looks and functions as new. 1515 shutter clicks, barely used. The price difference from new makes this a huge bargain camera for the budget minded. I purchased this as a back up body. With limited use at this point, this is a wonderful camera. It has the major advantage of being very light weight and big enough to get a hand on it. If you are hauling around a DSLR all day this is an important consideration. Especially if you carry an extra lens or two. Really gets important if you are caring an additional body to eliminate lens changes in dirty environments or fast moving situations. I chose this body over it's newer D5300 version because I have no need of GPS capabilities. If I need Wi Fi I can get that with an adaptor or a Wi Fi card. Both items cost far less than stepping up to the next model. Any other updates are not significant between the models (for my uses). The one thing I really find I use, and missed more than I would ever have guessed, is the articulated screen. High shots, low shots, shots using a smaller/lower/lightweight tripod, this adjustable screen is so incredibly convenient. Saves the back, keeps me out of the dirt for the most part, and helps visibility in bright lighting conditions. I really missed this when I upgraded to the D7100 from the D5100. The technical points of this camera are covered in multiple other reviews, so I will just say I am not disappointed in the images it captures, even when comparing to the D7100. I really wish the D5200 could use the older lenses, the ones that need the screw type AF system within the camera body (the D7100 can). This body uses only the AF-S lenses to auto focus. The older lenses will mount on this camera, but they will NOT autofocus. Nikon continues to develop nice AF-S lenses that work with this type camera, so this could be the only camera you will ever need.Edit: I would also like to add the list of accessories I always get to complete a camera purchase. If you are new to DSLR photography this is function and protection for your investment:1.A good multicoated UV filter. It saves your lens glass from accidental bumps, that bit of grit you miss and rub around when cleaning a random fingerprint and other crud. It also helps reduce haze. They should be on the lens from day one to protect that front element from an unforgiving environment (and the Baby's cake covered hands when you go in for the close-up first B-day!) I have twice been very thankful I took this advise myself. The lens survived, the filter did not. Was a cheap replacement (compared to a lost lens) and the photographic day was not ruined.2. A good quality SD card. Or two. I like 32gb Sandisk Extreme 111. They are fast and I have not had one malfunction yet.3.A spare battery. I have had good luck with fully decoded non-Nikon versions.4. A case/bag for carrying and storage.5. A screen saver for the LCD.6. A proper lens cleaning kit.There are a million other things you can use for your new hobby, but these 6 are really important to the health and well-being of your fine camera.