The only really important other things are WB (Auto WB works great on my Pentax cameras), and the first thing you should set, ISO (was ASA many decades ago). 90% of my photographs are taken at ISO 200 and w/Auto WB. But on the other hand, I never touch Full Auto (Green), Program, or even Auto ISO (I don't really even it that), etc. I shoot most scenes in Av (A) mode, for the occasional Action/Motion in Tv (S), or Close-up or Macro in Full Manual (sometimes). Even though my newer lenses are AF I still mostly focus manually. I've been doing photography seriously since about 1977, and have used many types of cameras and many formats (used, not owned all): 35mm SLR, 35mm Range Finder, 6x7cm SLR, 6x6cm TLR, 4x5" view camera/field camera (own two), and 8x10" view camera. Point being, for many of the cameras I've used many had no built in light meter or automation. I learned and know how to use a hand held light meter and spot meter. Say Gossen Luna-Pro, Pentax Spotmeter, Sekonic, Minolta Spotmeter, etc. I actually sometime use my Minolta Spotmeter F with my digital cameras for precise "Zone System" like metering and exposures. And yes, of course I shoot Raw, so I'm not really concerned with Styles, I PP with Photoshop CS6 and ACR.

You said something about concentrating more on Composition. I agree with that fully, good for you. I get it, you do not be want to be distracted, but you also don't want to walk over a cliff.

I am more aware of composition now than when I was young, yet making the few setting changes in a given location have be come automatic for me. And because of taking my time I work with my digital cameras slowly. A full day of shooting is less than 180 exposures, often as few as 30. So what is the rush of using the camera's auto features? Learn to have full control. I most cases I am pretty sure you don't need to fool around with WB and ISO every shoot. I kind of pre-set up in my mind once I get to a location or start thinking about a set up for a studio shot. Even though I usually shoot Av (A) I keep an eye on what shutter speed the camera is selecting. And I am sure the meter in your Nikon D5200 is fine for manual exposures, as would be a newer model. Camera settings should be viewable on the back screen as well as the top of your camera, not just in the viewfinder that many never use today (I always do, but I'm an old schooler, and the viewfinder uses less battery). Bottom line, get the D7500. A D5500 might even be enough for you. If you really want the Pro features of the Pro D500, fine, re-learn how to shoot "professionally", and let friends and relatives use you old D5200. It will not be worth much on trade-in anyway.

The flash issue was a deal breaker for me as I wanted the convenience of having a bult in flash even though I have an SB-700 that I use when I plan to use one. Sometimes the need is so apparent in advance. I for got to mention that I came from a D5200 when I got the D7500... Night and day starting with picture quality. The auto function on the D7500 works nicely though I am venturing more into the manual world. The D7500 has a good memory bank for burst mode, something I couldn't do so well with the D5200 (which is now my backup camera). I have 4 different lenses I use, but found the Tamron 18-400 to be an excellent match for the D7500. Below is an example.

If you want to recommend a FF, please don't.

I'm coming from a D5200. which has done very well for me over the last 4 years but is now getting in my way more often than not. Let me explain.

I've had an SLR of some kind since the early 70s, Nikon or Minolta. (Strange combo, don't ask.) My two favorite films were Kodachrome and Panatomic-F. I also used a lot of Tri-X when I needed film speed. I did a lot of B&W because I developed my own film and printed my own pictures. I would know the exposure needed for the film I used just by looking around and could set the camera accordingly very quickly and then refine the exposure in the viewfinder. All second nature, easy peasy. In time, and with work, family and changing interests, there came a series of P&S cameras to record the kids and the use of Kodacolor and photo stores for development and printing. The camera was always ready and available for pictures at a moment's notice and my wife could use it easily. Enter digital photography and at first it was a Coolpix then a D60 followed by a D5200. I acquired many lenses during that time.

I am much more into composition when possible. Examples of that is when I go walking somewhere with picture taking in mind. This is when I start fumbling with my D5200 trying to set the exposure to what I would like. The viewfinder is small so reading the shutter speed and aperture is an issue. Trying to change them is even more so. This camera is really oriented towards automatic exposure and providing set scenes is a good thing. Trying to exercise more control over the exposure is more difficult.

However, unlike most people here (or certainly the ones who state a preference,) I do make use of full auto and I like the scenes settings because it is brain dead and it works quite well the majority of the time. It also enables my wife and others to easily take decent pictures with my camera.

I was all ready to select a D500 as my next camera but I'm discovering that it does not seem to have a full auto setting and certainly it does not have the scenes setting, whereas the D7500 has all that as well as much better control over manual settings. Does that mean I could not have other people (who know nothing about photography) use the D500 or not even a have it for quick spur-of-the-moment pictures?

I am reading the huge owner's manual, but it's pretty dry when you don't have the camera in hand.

If you want to recommend a FF, please don't.

I'm coming from a D5200. which has done very well for me over the last 4 years but is now getting in my way more often than not. Let me explain.

I've had an SLR of some kind since the early 70s, Nikon or Minolta. (Strange combo, don't ask.) My two favorite films were Kodachrome and Panatomic-F. I also used a lot of Tri-X when I needed film speed. I did a lot of B&W because I developed my own film and printed my own pictures. I would know the exposure needed for the film I used just by looking around and could set the camera accordingly very quickly and then refine the exposure in the viewfinder. All second nature, easy peasy. In time, and with work, family and changing interests, there came a series of P&S cameras to record the kids and the use of Kodacolor and photo stores for development and printing. The camera was always ready and available for pictures at a moment's notice and my wife could use it easily. Enter digital photography and at first it was a Coolpix then a D60 followed by a D5200. I acquired many lenses during that time.

I am much more into composition when possible. Examples of that is when I go walking somewhere with picture taking in mind. This is when I start fumbling with my D5200 trying to set the exposure to what I would like. The viewfinder is small so reading the shutter speed and aperture is an issue. Trying to change them is even more so. This camera is really oriented towards automatic exposure and providing set scenes is a good thing. Trying to exercise more control over the exposure is more difficult.

However, unlike most people here (or certainly the ones who state a preference,) I do make use of full auto and I like the scenes settings because it is brain dead and it works quite well the majority of the time. It also enables my wife and others to easily take decent pictures with my camera.

I was all ready to select a D500 as my next camera but I'm discovering that it does not seem to have a full auto setting and certainly it does not have the scenes setting, whereas the D7500 has all that as well as much better control over manual settings. Does that mean I could not have other people (who know nothing about photography) use the D500 or not even a have it for quick spur-of-the-moment pictures?

I am reading the huge owner's manual, but it's pretty dry when you don't have the camera in hand.