Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Buy a Nikon factory refurb D7200. My recommendation is to buy it from Cameta as I've had several cameras from them and received great personalized service. Also, last I looked, they provide an extended warranty at no charge.

As far as I can tell, the only significant features offered on the D5600 that are not on the D7200 are the wifi features. If you want to do an immediate download to your smartphone via wifi or nfc, then that may make a difference. It does not to me, but it does to some people who are always posting their latest selfies to Facebook.

teranz

Many Thanks, CO. This is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Those look like some great, valuable features!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

For me (and this is a matter of discussion as to how and what you photograph) don't personally care for the articulated screen. I spent several years working for Nikon, and we had many of the cameras with articulated screens returned for repair because the screen broke or the flexible wire providing power and video to the articulated screen either broke or wore out. However, some like it because they can hold the camera over their head to get shots and still see the screen on the back. Personally, I almost NEVER use "Live View" so that isn't a useful feature for me. If I need to get higher (I still look through the view finder), I generally can find something to stand on or have a step ladder (one of the 2 step, with a platform folding ones) with me. I carry it in the car with the rest of my photography equipment. Yes, I know that it is an issue if I'm hiking and need higher but there are always alternatives.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

I would suggest going to a camera store or Best Buy and holding the ones you are looking at. I did that and found the D7200 hurt my hand when I gripped it (small hands). I ended up with the D5500 and like the way it feels in my hands with no pain. I just recently held a D500 and didn't have the pain, but the weight would take some getting used to. I am approaching 69 and have a bad knee, so the articulating screen is good to have. I have heard the image quality between the two cameras is the same. After all, it's the person that holds the camera that has the skills. The camera is merely the tool that's used to capture the image.

teranz

Many Thanks, Dandi.
First of all, I misspoke in my original text. I have a Nikon FE, not F3. Here's a link if you're interested:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/fe.htm
Now you've really got me going. I hadn't thought much about my old lenses with a new camera, but it's an excellent point. So I had to read up on the difference between AI and Non-AI, which I just did at that link I sent you.
I'm in Florida and my FE and lenses are all at home in Canada, but I'm thinking the lenses are AI. I got that FE as a gift from my wife around 1986, and looking at the pics and considering time-of-purchase AI seems right. Apparently even if they were Non-AI I could get them converted, but enough on that. I may have to delay any purchase action until I get home and get all these ducks in a row.
Looks to me like that D7200 is way better overall if I can forego the articulated screen. Again, many thanks for your valuable input!

bennydnut Loc: Phila, Pa.

Adorama will honor that price - $719. also, just got one, called Adorama Friday morning and delivered Satday afternoon...

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I have a D7200 and honestly don't think much about an articulated screen. When I use live view, the camera is on a tripod, so having to stoop down to see the screen is a rare experience. Quite frankly, at 71 (in May) I really don't have much occasion to get down on the ground to take a photo, so even though the articulated screen might be convenient, I do just fine without it. So unless you have a great need to be down on the ground or at ground level to take pictures, I believe you'd really enjoy the D7200.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

I upgraded from the d3300 to a d5500 . . . The articulating touch screen is what sold me on it . . . However, it lacks some features and abilities that the 7200 and up have. My next upgrade will probably be a d500, but a lot of pennies will need to be saved before that is possible. Right now, I'm very happy with the d5500. . . .

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

You are welcome. I recently tried my friends Manual focus lenses and fell in love with them again like 30 years ago. Over the last 2-3 months I bought 24mm, 28mm and 135mm F3.5. I hardly touch my Auto focus lenses now. These AIS lenses are so much fun to use, they are build to last, very sharp, focus is smooth and real pleasure to use.
They are not expensive, but you already have some, why not use them? Manual focus is easy, you will have a focus conformation in the viewfinder even on D5500.
If your lenses are Non-Ai and if you mount them on D5500 you will have 100% manual camera. Only Manual mode, MF, no TTL flash just manual, no metering, just like old days. It’s not a problem, we all have an idea what exposure to use, for me usually takes one test shot (or two) and I nailed the exposure. You don't have to convert them to Ai, use them with D5xxx series. I personally like D5500.
Many advices here, everyone comes from his experience, the main thing is to enjoy your hobby and have fun with it.

Ichiban365

I just bought a D5500 as an upgrade to my D60. I use Windows phones, so the Android/IOS connectivity on the 5600 was of no use to me. Especially as the old ML-3 remote apparently will not work with the D5600. I don't use the remote feature very often, but I do not want to have to pull out a phone in order to do so. I was going to wait a few months to upgrade, but I was worried that the D5500 was becoming hard to find.

The D7200 looks like a fine camera but it is much bulkier and heavier than the D5500/5600. That was the deciding factor for me, having used Olympus OM cameras since 1976, which weigh less than the Nikon and Canon 35mm cameras. I realize that part of the size and weight of the high end cameras is because they are more rugged, but I also think that people expect "more" camera for a higher price and would not pay thousands of dollars for something lighter than the D5500.

The primary feature I would like to have which the D7200 has and the D5500 does not is the depth of field preview. But that was not enough to persuade me to go with the extra weight. And I would like the custom settings feature, but it is not a deal breaker.

I am very satisified with my decision to add the D5500 to my camera bag. So I disagree that the D7200 wins "hands down". Each camera had advantages and drawbacks, and each person has to decide what is most important to them. So please, don't assume that the camera you own, whatever it is, wins "hands down".

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I can't say that the D7200 wins "hands down," either, but it certainly ranks way up there. Ultimately, the hands down winner is the one that suits the user's needs the best. What works for one person may not be ideal for another. So while I like my D7200, someone else may not, and another camera better meets that person's needs. I think the D500 is a superb camera, but it doesn't offer me enough to justify spending that kind of money for what I do. I seriously considered the D5500 when I was looking to buy a DSLR, and came close to buying it, but finally decided that the D7200 fit my hands better, as I have large hands and fingers. Each to his/her own.

andrek666

D7xxx allows for the AF to be fine tuned (corrected) individually for each lens you mount. The D5xxx and below don't offer this.

rcdovala

I'm a 74 year old photographer and my recommendation is the D5600 because of the articulating screen. No more laying on your belly to get that once in a lifetime shot from a ground level perspective. And it's lighter than the D7200.

Jim Bob

If you must have an articulated screen that eliminates the D7200 from consideration. Otherwise, the D7200 is the best camera in that group, hands down.

teranz

Many Thanks, Mas24. Valuable input. I'm likin' that D7200 more and more...