Canon 700D vs Nikon D5200: An In-Depth DSLR Showdown for the Enthusiast Photographer

Choosing between two well-regarded entry-level DSLRs like the Canon EOS 700D (Rebel T5i) and the Nikon D5200 can feel like deciding between tea and coffee - both wake you up, but your palate and brewing style will sway your preference. Having spent years handling dozens of cameras and logging hundreds of hours shooting landscapes, portraits, action, and more, I’m here to break down the practical differences between these two stalwarts from 2013. We'll get hands-on - peeling back specs, real-world usage, and how they fare across photography genres, helping you pick the right tool for your creative style.

The Classic Body Battle: Ergonomics and Handling

I always consider a camera’s physicality as the first point of contact. The Canon 700D measures 133 x 100 x 79 mm and weighs around 580 grams, while the Nikon D5200 is slightly smaller at 129 x 98 x 78 mm and lighter at 555 grams. On paper, that’s almost a neck-and-neck race, but in practice the differences add up.

Canon's 700D offers a robust, rubberized grip that fits my medium-large hands comfortably. The overall heft feels reassuring but not tire-inducing during long shoots or travel. Nikon’s D5200 feels a touch more compact and lighter, favoring portability, but the grip is a bit narrower, which might feel less secure if you have larger paws or use non-standard lenses.

The control layouts reinforce Canon’s legacy of user-friendly ergonomics with intuitive button placement and a well-delineated mode dial. Nikon deploys a similar approach but with fewer illuminated buttons, which occasionally left me fumbling in low light. Both cameras boast fully articulated 3-inch LCDs, but Canon’s Clear View II touchscreen provides more responsive menu navigation and live preview focusing.

Curious about how these design choices stack up visually? Check out the top control layouts for a quick comparative glance:

Peering Inside: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Both cameras boast APS-C sensors, but there are key differences hidden in the details. The Canon 700D features an 18MP CMOS sensor measuring 22.3 x 14.9 mm, yielding a sensor area of about 332 mm². The Nikon D5200 ups the ante with a 24MP CMOS sensor, larger at 23.5 x 15.6 mm, totaling nearly 367 mm², and naturally offering greater pixel density and resolution.

This sensor size and pixel count difference translates to some tangible effects:

• Resolution: Nikon’s 6000 x 4000 pixel max output delivers more cropping freedom and image detail.
• Dynamic Range: DxOMark scores reveal Nikon's sensor with a 13.9 EV dynamic range advantage versus Canon’s 11.2 EV, meaning better shadow and highlight retention - a big plus for landscape and HDR shooters.
• Color Depth: Nikon shows superior color depth (24.2 bits vs 21.7), promising richer, more nuanced hues.
• Low-Light Performance: Nikon’s low-light ISO score is roughly double Canon’s, estimating better noise handling at higher ISOs.

In practical terms, this gap appeared most when pushing ISO beyond 1600 or shooting in scenes with tricky lighting. Nikon’s images retain clarity and cleaner shadows, while Canon presents a slightly warmer, punchier tone straight out of the camera - generally appreciated by portrait shooters but less flexible for heavy post-processing.

Interface and Viewfinder: Seeing is Believing

Moving from sensor to screen and eye level, I found subtle ergonomic and usability contrasts:

Canon’s fully articulating 3” touchscreen LCD (1040k dots) invites a flexible shooting experience. Its responsiveness, especially for touch-spot autofocus in live view and quick menu navigation, is a delight - highly relevant for videographers and vloggers or run-and-gun street photographers.

Nikon’s 3” LCD (921k dots) is also fully articulated, perfect for awkward angles. However, the absence of touchscreen means relying on buttons and wheels, which works fine if you prefer tactile controls but feels a bit dated.

Both cameras use optical pentamirror viewfinders with about 95% frame coverage and magnifications close to 0.53x (Canon) and 0.52x (Nikon). The difference is negligible; both offer decent, albeit not class-leading, framing precision and brightness. If precise manual focusing or critical composition is your jam, an optical viewfinder is better than nothing, but don’t expect the OLED clarity of mirrorless EVFs.

Here’s a side-by-side look at their brilliant screens:

Autofocus Systems - The Eyes of the Beast

Autofocus (AF) performance is often the defining factor between a camera that can keep up with life’s fast moments versus one that stares blankly. Both models come with phase-detect AF sensors in the body plus contrast-detection AF in live view.

The Canon 700D sports 9 AF points, all cross-type, which is pretty standard for entry-level DSLRs of its time. Its touchscreen adds the bonus of touch-to-focus, which works well for static or slow-moving subjects but can’t keep pace in fast action. Face detection works but only for single persons, and there’s no animal eye AF.

The Nikon D5200, on the other hand, features a 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors clustered centrally, allowing more versatile focusing and better subject tracking capabilities. Its continuous AF during live view patrols slower but more consistent. Face detection and tracking are also present, again without animal eye detection.

From my experience photographing both birds in flight and kids playing dodgeball, Nikon’s AF tracking performs more reliably - fewer missed shots and blurred frames. Canon’s 5 fps continuous shooting is respectable but its AF tracking falls short, especially with erratic subjects.

Zooming in on autofocus points and tracking options:

• Canon 700D: 9 points (all cross-type), phase-detection in viewfinder, contrast detection in live view.
• Nikon D5200: 39 points (9 cross-type), enhanced phase-detection, face detection and tracking.

If wildlife or sports is your terrain, Nikon likely serves your needs better.

Burst Shooting and Video Capabilities: Action and Moving Pictures

Shooting speed is another pillar for many photographers. Both models offer similar continuous shooting at 5 frames per second (fps).

While 5 fps is adequate for casual sports or wildlife shooting, neither camera is a speed demon. The somewhat modest buffer depth means extended bursts can slow down quickly, though typical use should be fine.

Video is where the two diverge interestingly - both capture Full HD 1080p, but Canon limits to 30fps max, while Nikon’s D5200 offers 60fps at 1080p for smooth slow motion. Canon’s video is available in H.264 and Motion JPEG formats; Nikon provides MPEG-4 and H.264.

One notable Canon advantage is its touchscreen focusing during video recording, facilitating easier manual focus pulls and adjustments on the fly. Both cameras include microphone inputs (a boon for vloggers) but lack headphone jacks - limiting audio monitoring.

If you shoot lots of handheld video, neither camera has in-body image stabilization, so you’ll want stabilized lenses or a gimbal.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

Lens availability can make or break a system's longevity and versatility. Canon’s EF/EF-S mount boasts a massive 326 lenses from Canon and third parties, covering everything from ultra-wide landscape lenses to super-telephoto wildlife zooms and creamy portrait primes.

Nikon’s F mount is also mature and expansive with about 309 lenses, but compatibility can be a bit trickier due to variations among DX (APS-C) and FX (full-frame) lenses and versions.

For most users, lens availability won’t be a limiting factor, but Canon’s broader budget-friendly third-party support might edge Nikon slightly. Plus, Canon’s EF-S lenses are designed specifically for APS-C sensors like the 700D, optimizing size and cost.

Battling the Elements: Build Quality and Durability

Neither the Canon 700D nor Nikon D5200 features environmental sealing or weather-resistant designs - a common omission at this price point.

Both are compact SLRs with polycarbonate bodies over metal frames. They handle everyday wear well but aren’t suited for heavy rain or dusty expeditions without extra protection.

Personally, I wouldn’t take either camera on a desert safari without protective gear - but for casual landscape hiking or family outings, both function admirably.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life goes a bit to Nikon’s favor here: the D5200 manages an impressive 500 shots per charge, while Canon settles at around 440. Not a massive gap but notable if you prioritize long shooting days without spares.

Both employ proprietary lithium-ion packs (Canon LP-E8 vs Nikon EN-EL14), compatible with their mirrorless successors, to some extent.

Storage-wise, both use SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards in a single slot. No dual slots for redundancy here - a downside for professional shoot reliability.

Connectivity features are sparse; Canon supports Eye-Fi wireless cards natively, which were popular back then but now somewhat obsolete. Nikon leaves wireless optional via external adapters. Neither offers built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. USB 2.0 ports and HDMI outputs are standard but modest.

If seamless image transfer is a priority, you’ll want to look outside these models or invest in wireless adapters.

Genre-by-Genre Real-World Performance

Now, the juicy part. How do these bodies behave across photography disciplines based on my field testing?

Portrait Photography

Canon’s 700D shines with warmer skin tones and the edge of its touch AF focusing accuracy. The articulating touchscreen allows dial-in of focus on eyes with great precision. The shallower depth-of-field from compatible Canon primes combined with Canon’s color science delivers creamy, punchy bokeh that delights portrait shooters.

Nikon’s higher resolution sensor offers more detail, but its skin tones feel cooler and require some post-processing to match Canon’s look. The broader AF coverage helps if subjects move unpredictably.

Score: Canon edges portraits for color and ease of use; Nikon wins on resolution.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are king here. Nikon’s D5200 captures more tonal gradations, letting you recover details in shadows and highlights with less noise, thanks to that higher dynamic range and 24MP count.

Canon’s 700D, while solid, struggles more with blown highlights in tricky lighting and produces lower resolution files that limit cropping.

Neither has weather sealing, a drawback for rough outdoor conditions.

Landscape shooters who cherish image quality and detail will favor Nikon for post-processed RAW work.

Wildlife Photography

Speed and autofocus tracking are crucial, and Nikon excels here. Its 39-point AF with tracking capabilities, alongside equal 5fps burst speed and superior buffer handling, makes it a better companion for unpredictable animal movements.

Canon’s 9-point AF and less aggressive tracking mean a higher miss rate for fast, erratic subjects. The lens ecosystem matters here too, where Nikon’s extensive telephoto lens line-up offers some excellent options.

Sports Photography

Much like wildlife, autofocus responsiveness and frame rate count. Here, Nikon's more sophisticated AF system and tracking capabilities give it a clear edge. Its continuous AF during bursts delivers crisper sequences in action; Canon’s 700D lags slightly.

Low light often challenges sports shooting; Nikon’s better ISO performance shines here, too.

Street Photography

This is where the Canon shines for portability and discretion. The slightly larger body but intuitive touchscreen allows faster focus lock without fumbling. The quieter shutter and warm colors provide pleasing JPEGs right from the get-go, perfect for spontaneous shooting.

Nikon’s lower weight and smaller size appeal as well, but the lack of touchscreen slows quick focus reactions on the street.

Macro Photography

Both cameras depend heavily on optics here. No built-in stabilization means users must rely on stabilized lenses or tripods.

Canon’s touch AF live view is a practical advantage for manual focusing on tiny subjects. Nikon’s higher resolution sensor can capture more fine detail but demands faster, steadier shots.

Night and Astro Photography

Nikon’s superior low-light ISO capability and dynamic range make it the go-to for starscapes and dimly lit scenes. Canon’s sensor noise becomes apparent after ISO 1600, while Nikon can push ISO 3200-6400 with less degradation.

Neither offers advanced astro-specific features but manual modes and RAW output suffice.

Video Capabilities

As mentioned, Nikon edges video with 1080p at 60fps vs Canon’s max 30fps. However, Canon’s touchscreen AF during recording is smoother. Both support external microphones but lack headphone jacks for audio monitoring.

Neither camera offers 4K or advanced video features, reflecting their entry-level orientation.

Travel Photography

Size, weight, battery life, and versatility are king here. Nikon’s lighter body and better battery life score points, while Canon’s touchscreen and intuitive controls simplify shooting varied scenes.

Interchangeable lenses in both systems give flexibility - though carrying a collection may offset size savings.

Quantifying the Competition: Scores and Rankings

To put it all into perspective, here’s an overall performance summary based on testing across image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and video:

Value-wise, both cameras launched around $600-$650, reflecting solid mid-range entry offerings. Today, they mostly show up discounted or second-hand. Nikon’s superior specs justify its slight price premium with better sensor and AF tech.

Sample Images: Putting Pixels to Work

Nothing beats seeing actual image samples. Below is a gallery showcasing both cameras’ output under various conditions - daylight, indoor portraits, action, and low light.

Canon 700D screen back Nikon D5200 screen back

Look closely: Nikon images show more detail and less noise in shadows, whereas Canon’s photos have warmer tones and slightly softer edges that appeal to many.

Who Should Choose the Canon 700D?

• Photographers who prioritize easy, intuitive operation with a friendly touchscreen interface.
• Casual portrait and street shooters who appreciate pleasing color rendition straight out of the camera.
• Video enthusiasts valuing touch manual focus and good 1080p modes (without need for 60fps).
• Those invested in Canon EF-S lenses and ecosystem.
• Budget-conscious buyers looking for a decent DSLR for learning and casual shooting.

Who Wins with the Nikon D5200?

• Enthusiasts wanting higher resolution and superior image quality for landscapes and detailed subjects.
• Wildlife and sports shooters needing faster, more reliable autofocus and subject tracking.
• Photographers working in low-light scenarios benefiting from better high ISO performance.
• Those valuing longer battery life and more versatile video frame rates.
• Users with Nikon lens investments or preference for Nikon’s ergonomics.

Final Thoughts: A Choice Rooted in Style and Substance

Having lived with both cameras extensively, I consider the Canon 700D a beloved "gateway drug" to DSLR photography - friendly, approachable, and fun to use with solid image quality. However, if your photographic aspirations tilt towards more demanding fields like wildlife, sports, or serious landscape work, Nikon’s D5200 offers a more versatile, higher-performing tool.

Both cameras remain capable even a decade later but have now been eclipsed by mirrorless technology. Yet, for those stepping up from point-and-shoot or smartphones, either system can deliver the satisfying DSLR experience at a still-affordable price point.

Whichever you pick, investing time in mastering either will reap creative rewards - because, at the end of the day, the best camera is the one you have in your hands and know how to use.

Happy shooting!

If you want an easy recap, here’s the quick comparison of key specs side-by-side one last time:

Canon 700D screen back Nikon D5200 screen back