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Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57

Portability
66
Imaging
65
Features
77
Overall
69
Nikon D5200 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 555g - 129 x 98 x 78mm
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon D5100
  • Refreshed by Nikon D5300
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A55
  • Refreshed by Sony A58
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Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Nikon D5200 versus Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the D5200 (24MP) and A57 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D5200 was released 9 months after the A57 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D5200 scores vs the A57 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5200 over the Sony A57

 D5200 A57 
LaunchedMay 2013September 2012More modern by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon D5200

 A57 D5200 

Common features in the Nikon D5200 and Sony A57

 D5200 A57 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5200 enjoys physical measurements of 129mm x 98mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 555 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D5200 versus Sony A57 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the D5200 vs the A57.

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D5200 and A57 is 66 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the D5200 and A57.

As you can tell, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon D5200 to render more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent D5200 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5200 Portrait photography features
Sony A57 Portrait photography features
79
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5200 Street photography details
Sony A57 Street photography details
69
screen articulates
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
75
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5200 Sports photography features
Sony A57 Sports photography features
61
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery life (500 CIPA)
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5200
Travel photography with Sony A57
69
MP count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (500 shots)
67
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5200 Landscape photography details
Sony A57 Landscape photography details
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery life (500 shots)
72
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5200 Vlogging features
Sony A57 Vlogging features
71
display is selfie friendly
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic port
does not have image stabilization
77
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic socket
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Nikon D5200 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5200 and Sony A57
 Nikon D5200Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5200 Sony SLT-A57
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2013-05-16 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 16000
Max enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 39 15
Cross type focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD monitor Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 555 gr (1.22 lbs) 618 gr (1.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 129 x 98 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 75
DXO Color Depth rating 24.2 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.9 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1284 785
Other
Battery life 500 photos 550 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $595 $1,000