RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

The Nikon D7200 is a great choice, and is highly regarded by many on this site and a few professionals as well. Cameta usually has refurbished in stock and offers an additional 9 months warranty to Nikon’s 90 day warranty. Other retailers have had them on sale as low as $649 and Nikon USA usually has a 10% off sale around the Presidents Day holiday this month, I think.

timcc Loc: Virginia

bthomas42 Loc: North Ridgeville Ohio

Get either a D7100 or D7200 and have your current camera converted to IR. I got the D7100 and am having fun with my converted D5200. I chose the 590NM internal filter so that i have the versatility to add the darker ones on the lens to get the various results.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Have you noticed the mentioning of the Nikon D7200 so far. That should carry a lot of weight in a decision making. IMO.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

If you like an LCD screen that tilts out, you might want to consider the D7500. The D7500 will give you 2 more fps as well as a bigger buffer. It will also give you one more stop in low light capability over the D7200. There are some pluses and minuses to the D7500, all of which Steve Perry discusses in the following video in which he compares the D7500 to the D7200 and D500.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpIW0_0MQEg

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Here is another good comparison between the D7500 and D7200.

https://www.lightandmatter.org/2017/equipment-reviews/camera-comparisons/nikon-d7500-vs-d7200-whats-the-difference/

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You are the only one who knows how much you are willing to spend, and what you are looking for in a camera. Since you have knowledge of digital photography, you need to do some research on your own. Since you apparently feel that your skills are not being fully utilized by the D5100, or you have outgrown it, you need to consider what it is this camera cannot do and what qualities you need in a new camera. In my opinion, when upgrading, you should buy the best you can afford. That way you will be satisfied longer and will not outgrow it quickly.

Here is what I think you should do. First, decide on your budget. Second, go to a website like B&H [bhphotovideo.com] where they have good descriptions of photo gear and their specifications. Use the menu choices to narrow down the brand [Nikon] and price range, also choose "USA" because you want to only buy gear that has a USA warranty. Third, you should decide whether you want to stay with the crop-sensor [DX] cameras or if you want to get a full-frame camera [FX].

As others have pointed out, FX cameras require FX lenses, so if you do not already have any, you will have to add a couple of those into your package. If you already have some FX lenses, that makes it easier if an FX camera is what you want. Of course you could continue using the D5100 for a while longer while buying some FX lenses, which you can use on the DX camera, and then later on purchase an FX camera.

Hope this helps.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Don

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

I upgraded from a D5200 to a D7200 about 2 years ago and kept my D5200 as a back-up. My usual subjects are birds (perched as well as BIF) and wildlife. My decision worked out very well. However, the D7200 does NOT have an articulating rear LCD screen. If that feature is important to you, more than likely you will not be happy with the D7200. Someone else has already mentioned that you would need to stay with the D5xxx line in order to have that fully articulating screen. To be honest, I am not sure if all of the D5xxx models have that screen.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

Go to your local camera shop and test drive the D500 . . . Your lenses will work on it . . .

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I had another conversation with Steve Perry regarding the D7200 and the D7500. He gives the nod to the D7500 for two reasons. It has Group Area Focus which is a focus tool that is well worth choosing over the D7200 and it has a higher buffer rate with the Expeed 5 processor, allowing to process the 8 fps. Also, I know for many that the swing out LCD screen will be helpful (it IS something that my daughter would like). The loss in megapixels is inconsequential. Steve finds both cameras to be very good, but for sports and wildlife, he gives the D7500 the nod. I'm looking that way as a gift for my daughter and am hoping that it will be on Nikon's sales list in the next month or two. Our next question is what to do about a lens for both soccer and basketball. My budget isn't endless, so at this point I'm looking at the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR AF-P which is the fx version of this lens. Thom Hogan's review of these lenses, as well as Steve Perry's suggestion pointed the way to this particular lens to start with for her. As she learns she may find she needs other more capable lenses outside of this year's budget. Coupled with a nice 35-80mm lens that I have, she'll have a lot of bases covered. I do wish that the D7500 had room for two cards. For her purposes, one would hold photos and the other would hold videos which she also takes at the same events. Happy Birthday, Julie!!