Going up from Nikon 3200: I like my Nikon 3200 but have been in situations, for instance in the cisterns in Istambul, where the poor light was difficult to deal with. Also I wanted a...

Hugh Bowen

I like my Nikon 3200 but have been in situations, for instance in the cisterns in Istambul, where the poor light was difficult to deal with. Also I wanted a zoom shot of some distant boats on the Bosphorus and I didn't have time to change lenses. So I have been thinking of trading in the D3200 for the D5200. Comments please.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Hugh Bowen wrote:

I like my Nikon 3200 but have been in situations, for instance in the cisterns in Istambul, where the poor light was difficult to deal with. Also I wanted a zoom shot of some distant boats on the Bosphorus and I didn't have time to change lenses. So I have been thinking of trading in the D3200 for the D5200. Comments please.

No gain in image quality or capability between those two bodies, but you would gain a flip screen on the D5200. Look at the D7100 if you really need to deal with bad light. Or better yet, look at going full frame with the D610 or D750 to see major improvements.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I agree with MT on the camera body. What lens were to thinking about so you wouldn't have to change lens for the zoom shot you couldn't get without a lens change?

MarkD Loc: NYC

You would have to go to a FF camera to get significantly better high iso performance than your D3200. In low light situations you can raise the iso and/or switch to a faster lens. What iso and lens were you using?

Welcome to the UHH.

Nukepr Loc: Citrus County, FL

I don't know what lens you were using, but for low light shots, the faster the lens the better. If you were using the kit lens, you might consider getting something like the 35mm f1.8G or the 50mm f1.8G Nikon lenses for better low light performance. As far as the camera is concerned, there is little advantage of the 5200 over the 3200. You would be much better off to buy the D7100 that just came down to below $1000. It has a lot better controls and excellent low light performance.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Welcome. I also agree with MT Shooter. I actually have the D5200 and am seriously considering upgrading to a Nikon FF. Just don't know which one or when. I still have a lot to learn with my 5200 and for now, it is sufficient.

tjphxaz Loc: Phoenix, AZ

MT Shooter wrote:

No gain in image quality or capability between those two bodies, but you would gain a flip screen on the D5200. Look at the D7100 if you really need to deal with bad light. Or better yet, look at going full frame with the D610 or D750 to see major improvements.

I agree with MT. Jump up as many generations as you can afford keeping in mind your current inventory of lenses and whether you will need to change any of them for the new body. Specifically, at least go to the 7100 and if cost is not prohibitive for you the full frame 750, keeping in mind that to get the best out of the 750 you will need FX glass.

Tracyv Loc: Del Mar, Ca

A good move up would be a D5300 a lot more than the D5200 if you are try to keep cost down. I use the D5300 with the new 18-140 lens that I use the most.
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/dslr-cameras/index.page
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-18-140mm-f%252F3.5-5.6G-ED-VR.html

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Hugh Bowen wrote:

I like my Nikon 3200 but have been in situations, for instance in the cisterns in Istambul, where the poor light was difficult to deal with. Also I wanted a zoom shot of some distant boats on the Bosphorus and I didn't have time to change lenses. So I have been thinking of trading in the D3200 for the D5200. Comments please.

You should be looking for a more versatile lens for the camera you now have. A great travel lens like the 18-300mm Nikon may cost more than your camera body did, but it would be a long time investment.

MarkD Loc: NYC

The D3200, D5200, D5300, and D7100 all have similar APS-C sensors with similar low light performance. If you want to significantly improve your low light shooting you would have to go to a FF DSLR like a D610 or D750. Or you can keep your D3200 and get a faster lens.

In the situation you described where you couldn't change lenses, you could have raised the iso. Todays DSLR's like your D3200 do very well at iso's of 3200 or even 6400. You may get some noise, but that's usually better than a blurry photo. If you postprocess your photos you can reduce the noise then.

Camera makers want you to think that all you need is one of their cameras and you'll be shooting like a pro. as you can see there's more to it than that. There are some very good books, DVD's, and Youtube videos that can help. Two good basic books are, "National Geographic Complete Photography" and "Understanding Photography Field Guide", by Bryan Peterson. Either one will give you a good Photography 101 course.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Your budget will dictate the avenue to pursue. As my colleges' have said a D5x00 is basically what you have now, with a tilt screen. Maybe Santa will bring you a FF. You'll never regret the move up.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I went from a D3200 up to a D3300.
I was considering the D3200, but then discovered that the D3300 uses the same Nikon operating software (Version 4, or Nikon 4, or I forget) as they use in the higher end cameras.
So before I even bought my DSLR, I upgraded.

thorondor

You will not get a big advantage if you change to D5200, slightly better image quality and High ISO performance but not huge, (and better focus and tilting screen ) see here:

http://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D3200-vs-Nikon-D5200

I think what you need is better lenses, invest in lenses instead of bodies.

And practice changing lenses faster, I am serious, this is also a skill that a photographer has to master.

By the way I used to live in Istanbul, what a beatiful city!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Welcome to UHH. If you want a good upgrade within the DX family I would save up a little and buy a D7100. It may be the best DX camera made.

Hugh Bowen wrote:

I like my Nikon 3200 but have been in situations, for instance in the cisterns in Istambul, where the poor light was difficult to deal with. Also I wanted a zoom shot of some distant boats on the Bosphorus and I didn't have time to change lenses. So I have been thinking of trading in the D3200 for the D5200. Comments please.

Hugh Bowen

I thank everyone who replied and supplied me with invaluable information and advice about moving up from my Nikon D3200. The concensus seems to be to go to D7100. I assume that the lenses that fit the D3200 will also fit the D7100. So my present plan is to buy the D7100 body only. The lenses I have are AF-SNikkor 18-55 mm1:3.5-5.6G. Somebody please explain what 1:3.5-5.6G means. AF-SNikkor 50mm1:1.8G. Sigma DG 70-300mm1:4-5.6. I am a happy and healthy 90 year old who is delighting in taking up photography and realize I have much to learn. Comments please. Hugh Bowen