Nikon D5200 vs Sony A35: An Expert’s Deep-Dive into Two Entry-Level DSLRs

Choosing the right camera can feel like wandering through a forest with a map drawn by two equally trustworthy guides - both leading you somewhere familiar yet offering slightly different vistas. Today, I’m taking a thorough look at two well-regarded entry-level DSLRs from an era now considered somewhat classic, yet still relevant for enthusiasts and budget-conscious users: the Nikon D5200 and the Sony A35. Both launched several years ago but continue to deliver solid performance in their segment, each with unique strengths and quirks that reflect their heritage and brand philosophy. Let’s roll up our sleeves and dissect these cameras with the eye of an experienced tester who’s put thousands of frames through a spectrum of gear.

Setting the Stage: What Are These Cameras About?

The Nikon D5200 arrived in May 2013 as a successor to the D5100, offering improvements in sensor resolution and autofocus, aiming squarely at the enthusiast photographer who needs a balance of capability and affordability. Meanwhile, Sony’s SLT-A35, introduced in September 2011, represents Sony’s unique SLT (Single Lens Translucent) technology approach - quite different from traditional DSLRs - in a compact body intended to lure users intrigued by innovation and speed.

Now, before you groan at the age of these models, remember: many photographers still find value in these cameras, especially if you’re stepping up from a smartphone or compact without breaking the bank. They’re time-tested, and a hands-on comparison might illuminate how well they hold up today.

Ergonomics & Body Design - How Do They Feel a Lifetime After?

Starting with the physicalities - size, weight, and handling - both cameras strive for comfortable holdability in a compact SLR form factor, but their design philosophies differ. The Nikon D5200 weighs in at 555 grams and measures 129x98x78 mm, slightly chunkier than the sleeker 415 grams, 124x92x85 mm Sony A35.

The Nikon features a DSLR-like mold with a pronounced handgrip that photographers with larger hands will appreciate; it feels reassuring and stable when shooting handheld. The Sony, being an SLT, is marginally smaller and lighter, which can be a boon for travel or street photography, where subtlety and mobility matter.

In my experience, the Nikon’s grip gave me more confidence on long shoots, especially when wielding heavier lenses - no surprise given Nikon’s ongoing attention to ergonomics. The A35, while nimble, feels a touch less substantial in hand, which some might interpret as less durable, but others will enjoy the freedom from bulk.

A Closer Look at Controls: Who’s Listening to the Photographer?

Moving upward to the operation deck - pun intended - the D5200 sports an intuitive layout, with a clear top-panel mode dial and dedicated buttons for ISO, exposure compensation, and drive modes. The Sony A35, meanwhile, sticks to a more minimalist control scheme, with fewer physical buttons and some reliance on menu navigation.

I’ve always appreciated Nikon’s philosophy of keeping key settings easily accessible, allowing for spontaneous adjustments - invaluable during unpredictable shooting conditions. The Sony’s controls, while clean, sometimes required more digging through menus, especially for less-experienced users or when switching quickly between modes.

That said, the Sony offers clever options like High Speed Sync for flash, which is a step up from Nikon’s max sync of 1/200s - a feature that could matter if you’re into creative fill-flash outdoors.

Sensors and Image Quality - Where the Rubber Meets the Pixel

This is the heart of the matter. The D5200 boasts a 24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with a 1.5x crop factor, employing Nikon’s EXPEED 3 processor. Sony’s A35 has a 16.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, also with a 1.5x crop, powered by the Bionz processor.

On paper, the Nikon presents a clear advantage in resolution, which can translate into crisper landscapes and more flexible cropping. But real-world testing - the stuff I live for - reveals that higher pixel counts can sometimes backfire, amplifying noise or stressing lens resolving power, especially in entry-level bodies.

Using DxOMark benchmarking as a reference (84 overall for Nikon, 74 for Sony), the Nikon scores impressively in color depth (24.2 vs. 23.3), dynamic range (13.9 EV vs 12.7 EV), and low-light ISO performance (1284 ISO vs. 763 ISO). These numbers tell a story confirmed by my own shoots: the D5200’s images retain detail and tonal fidelity more gracefully, particularly in shadows and highlight transitions.

Additionally, the D5200 retains a traditional optical pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage - less than the Sony’s full 100% electronic viewfinder but offering a real-time, no-lag optical image. The Sony’s EVF at 1150k resolution is quite sharp and helpful for previewing exposure and white balance, a boon for video or shooting in tricky light.

Rear Screen & User Interface - Composing the Shot

Both cameras provide a 3-inch LCD screen with 921k dots resolution. The Nikon D5200’s screen is fully articulating - an indispensable feature for videographers and portrait shooters who relish creative angles and selfies, despite the lack of touch functionality. Sony’s screen is fixed, which limits flexibility but maintains rigidity and fewer points of failure.

In actual shooting, I found the Nikon’s articulated screen makes a notable difference when framing macro shots, low angles, or overhead shots. For street photography, where discretion counts, having a hidden or flipped screen can help avoid drawing attention.

The Sony’s richer EVF coupled with fixed screen might appeal to users who prefer eye-level shooting and don’t require swiveling displays, but I personally missed the Nikon’s flexibility.

Autofocus Systems - The Fast & The Accurate

Let’s talk eyes and speed - autofocus is crucial across all genres but especially so in wildlife and sports, where decisive focus can mean the difference between keeper and throwaway.

The Nikon D5200’s autofocus is powered by a 39-point system with 9 cross-type points. This hybrid phase-detect plus contrast-detect AF covers multiple modes: single, continuous, tracking, plus face detection. It performs admirably under daylight and decent light but can struggle a touch in low-light, especially since it lacks advanced eye or animal-detection autofocus that modern cameras boast.

The Sony A35, intriguingly, switches gears by utilizing a 15-point AF system with 3 cross-type points, but incorporates Sony’s SLT translucent mirror technology to maintain phase detection during live view - allowing for continuous autofocus during video recording, an area where DSLRs traditionally lagged.

While the Sony’s autofocus is faster in burst mode due to SLT tech (6fps versus Nikon’s 5fps), the Nikon’s more extensive AF points provide better flexibility in composing off-center subjects.

For portrait shooters, neither camera includes sophisticated eye-tracking found in newer models, but the Nikon’s wider AF spread gives a slight edge locking on faces, especially when combined with its excellent metering system.

Burst Shooting and Buffer - Keeping Up with Action

Sports and wildlife photographers often judge cameras on frame rates and buffer capacity. The Sony A35’s 6 fps burst speed outpaces the Nikon D5200’s 5 fps, an important factor if chasing fast-moving subjects.

However, the Nikon’s burst is often considered more reliable before slowing down, thanks to a more efficient processor and larger buffer. In practical terms, this means longer continuous shooting before the camera pauses to offload data - a small but crucial difference during wildlife encounters or sports games.

Video Capabilities - Recording What You See

Both cameras offer 1080p Full HD video, but with notable distinctions.

The Nikon D5200 shoots at multiple frame rates (up to 60fps at 1920x1080) in H.264/MPEG-4, providing smooth playback and subject mobility capture. It also features a built-in microphone port - allowing for external audio input, which is a boon for videographers serious about sound quality.

The Sony A35 also records Full HD video but maxes out at 60fps at 1080p, using AVCHD and MPEG-4/H.264 codecs. Interestingly, the A35 benefits from the SLT design allowing continuous autofocus during video - a critical advantage over many DSLRs, including Nikon’s D5200, which may lose focus or hunt during recording.

Neither camera has 4K or advanced video stabilization, but the Sony sports sensor-shift image stabilization that helps reduce camera shake for both photos and videos; the Nikon lacks in-body stabilization, relying on VR lenses for that.

So if video is a priority, the Sony’s continuous AF and stabilization tilt the scales in its favor, despite the Nikon’s more versatile audio options.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing - Can They Take the Heat?

Neither camera boasts rugged weather sealing, waterproofing, or shockproofing - not unexpected at this price and class. Both are built with durable plastics with some metal reinforcement.

They survive typical amateur and enthusiast conditions - but for serious adventure or professional use, you’d want to audition factory-sealed models or pro-level bodies.

Lens Ecosystems - Where You’ll Find Your Perfect Glass

Lens selection can make or break your purchase long term. Luckily, both cameras use APS-C sized sensors, which means you can generally tap into a huge range of lenses.

The Nikon D5200 works with the Nikon F mount, giving access to over 300 lenses, including a vast arsenal of affordable and premium Nikkor optics. Nikon’s legacy lenses are plentiful, and you can find lenses optimized for portrait, macro, wildlife, and more.

Sony’s A35, utilizing the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount, offers about 143 lenses. While the range is more limited, especially in the original Minolta lineup, Sony’s lens catalog has grown significantly, especially with E-mount lenses - but not natively compatible without adapters.

From my field tests, Nikon’s lens ecosystem provides more immediate flexibility and choices for varied photography types; Sony’s selection is smaller and somewhat niche but features some unique optics, especially primes.

Battery Life & Storage - How Long Will You Shoot?

The D5200 boasts a CIPA-rated battery life of approximately 500 shots per charge using the EN-EL14 battery - quite respectable. The Sony A35 offers around 440 shots with its NP-FW50 battery - a bit less but still decent for casual use.

Both cameras rely on a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot; the Sony additionally supports Memory Stick Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo cards, offering some versatility but also complexity in stocking compatible media.

For travel photographers, the Nikon’s longer battery life can mean a day longer between recharges, a welcome advantage - though both benefit from carrying spare batteries for heavy shooting days.

Nikon D5200 screen back Sony A35 front Sony A35 screen back

Shooting Across Genres: How Do They Perform Where It Counts?

I spent time shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, street scenes, macro, and night photos with both cameras to discern real-world differences.

• Portraits: Nikon’s higher resolution sensor rendered skin tones with superior subtlety, and its 39-point AF system locked on faces more reliably. The fully articulated screen helped with creative angles and self-portraits. Sony’s sensor stabilization was helpful in low-light portrait conditions, but lower resolution limited cropping flexibility.

• Landscapes: Nikon’s superior dynamic range and resolution delivered more detailed, tonal-rich images; the articulated screen simplified composition at funky angles. The Sony’s EVF gave a useful live preview of exposure and white balance shifts but fell behind in raw image detail.

• Wildlife: The Sony’s 6 fps burst speed and SLT continuous autofocus impressed for tracking action, although the limited AF points sometimes made acquiring focus tricky in erratic movements. Nikon’s wider AF coverage and longer burst buffer shone in environments where patience and framing are key.

• Sports: Similar to wildlife, the Sony edged out on frame rate and continuous AF during live view; however, Nikon’s reliable optical viewfinder and better overall image quality made it a safer bet for print-quality action shots.

• Street: Sony’s smaller size and lighter body, coupled with near-silent SLT operation, were advantages for discreet shooting. Nikon’s bulkier body and mechanical mirror slap felt more intrusive but offered superior image quality.

• Macro: Nikon’s articulated screen and higher-res sensor made focusing precision easier, while Sony’s sensor stabilization helped reduce blur for handheld close-ups.

• Night/Astro: Nikon’s superior low light ISO performance and dynamic range produced superior noise control and star detail. Sony’s stabilization aided longer handheld exposures but struggled with noise past ISO 1600.

• Video: Sony’s continuous AF and sensor stabilization made it the better choice for casual video shooters, though Nikon’s external mic port offered better audio control for dedicated videographers.

• Travel: Nikon’s bigger battery life and flexible screen favored longer shooting days; Sony’s smaller size and lighter weight favored mobility.

• Professional Work: Neither camera truly fits a core pro workflow, but the Nikon’s larger lens selection, higher resolution raw files, and more accessible controls make it better for semi-pro use.

Summary Scores Across Key Factors

Bringing all of this into focus, here’s a point-by-point overview:

Who Should Buy Which?

• If image quality, shooting comfort, and lens flexibility top your priority list - especially for portraits, landscapes, and macro - the Nikon D5200 holds the advantage. Its higher resolution sensor and articulate screen are killer features for creativity and precision. It’s also the camera I’d choose for semi-pro workflows and print-ready photography.

• If you favor speed, video capabilities, and compactness, with a penchant for action or street photography, the Sony A35 makes a compelling case. Its SLT autofocus during video, sensor stabilization, and lighter body improve usability for dynamic scenes and casual filmmaking.

• For beginners craving a solid all-rounder with minimal fuss, Nikon’s intuitive layout and superior image quality likely provide a more rewarding learning curve.

• Budget-conscious buyers can find both cameras for a fraction of their original price in the used market, but look carefully - Sony’s lenses can be pricier due to scarcity, and Nikon’s broader ecosystem offers better value overall.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Paths

Having thoroughly tested both cameras over various shoots and conditions, my personal verdict leans slightly towards the Nikon D5200 for most photography enthusiasts, especially if image quality and creative flexibility matter most. Its sensor performance, lens ecosystem, and ergonomics are hard to beat in this price range, despite the absence of in-body stabilization and the more traditional optical viewfinder.

That said, the Sony A35’s technical innovations - SLT technology, continuous autofocus in video, sensor stabilization - were ahead of their time for an entry-level camera and still hold value for videographers and action shooters seeking speed and compactness.

Ultimately, choosing between these cams depends on your primary photographic interests and shooting style. Do you prefer the tried-and-true DSLR experience with high-res images and creative control, or are you enticed by a lighter, quicker camera that shines in video and fast autofocus?

Whichever you pick, both represent a solid foundation as you refine your photographic craft.

Appendix: Practical Tips for Testing Cameras Like These Yourself

If you’re inspired to evaluate cameras hands-on, here’s a quick rundown of my methodology gleaned from years in the trenches:

• Test autofocus across varying light and subject motion - both single-shot and continuous modes.
• Shoot raw images indoors and outdoors to compare dynamic range and noise.
• Use a calibration chart or detailed scene to judge resolution and sharpness.
• Record videos in different modes with and without stabilization.
• Evaluate ergonomics by holding the camera with your typical lenses attached.
• Assess battery life under realistic usage patterns, including flash and live view.
• Test the ease of accessing menus and frequently used controls.
• Put sample images side-by-side on calibrated displays to check color fidelity.

These steps reveal practical strengths and weaknesses that marketing specs alone can never fully express.

That wraps up my deep dive on the Nikon D5200 versus Sony A35. Feel free to reach out with your own experiences or if you want tailored advice for your photographic journey. Happy shooting!