llawryf

When I was making that decision a couple years ago, the deciding factor was the viewfinder. I wanted a smaller camera, but comparing the two (5300 and 7100 in my case) I couldn't tell when anything was in focus with the 5300. On the 7100 it was just enough bigger and brighter that it made a big difference. The price was close - but the 7100 was refurbished and cheaper than the other new. After using the 7100 for awhile now, I think the extra weight gives me more stability in handheld shots. I shoot mostly birds so that was important too. The 7200 had just come out, but it wasn't worth the higher cost to me. The 7100 was rated one of the best cameras for bird photography at the time. I've been very happy with it.

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

Go for the D7200 and look for a refurb at ABC (good prices at all 3) ;. I love the dual cards and the pics you can take with it are amazing!
In any case, good luck!

MrGNY Loc: New York

The D7500 has the same sensor as the D500. The body has an internal focusing motor, shoots 8 frames per second and a 51 point auto focus sensor., electronic VR for video, flip screen and a carbon fiber body. I bought this camera back in october and love it. I was looking at the D500 and went with the D7500 for the weight. I don't miss the second card, never had a camera with 2 cards.

Either camera I think you will be happy with.

jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

If you shoot in manual mode, it's a big plus to have two dials for making shutter speed and aperture adjustments easily and quickly. The tilting lcd touch screen on the D7500 is worth the extra $200 over the D7200, IMO.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Also the 5xxx and 3xxx will not meter with all older F manual focus lenses or accessories like bellows or telescopes.
D7500 also does not meter apparently with manual focus lenses as well.
https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Comparing a D7500 to a D7200 is equivalent to comparing a recent vintage PC computer to a 5 year old computer. When I read about the fact the D7200 has two slots where the D7500 only has one and to ignore everything else the D7500 has, well, to me that’s like saying all these things:

“Don’t buy the latest computer, this old one has 2 small disk drives on it whereas the new one only has one big drive.“

“Ignore the fact the new PC has 32GB of RAM, the old one only has 8GB, but it has two drives.”

“Ignore the fact the new PC has a much faster processor than the old one, which has two drives.”

“Ignore the fact you can drive a 4K monitor with the new PC, the old one can only handle an HD monitor but it has two drives.”

“Ignore the fact the new PC has Wi-Fi capability, the old PC doesn’t have Wi-Fi but it has two drives and it also has a parallel port so can use antique printers if you ever decide to buy one.”

This last one come compliments of the above post that bemoans the fact a D5300 user who is thinking of upgrading his camera would not be able to use antique lenses (pre-1986).

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The 7500 also does not meter with the manual focus lenses including up through AIs models where the 7200 does. That could mean a lot to many users that like to have a working meter if they want to try some vintage Nikon lenses or own some. Also using a bellows or other similar accessory means no meter which would be a real pain in the ass.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

EXACTLY!!! Well said, and one of the most logical posts I've seen in a while.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I understand what you are writing, BUT. This thread was started by a D5300 user who is thinking of upgrading. The OP did not say ANYTHING about using antique lenses or indicate any desire to even contemplate this prospect. I'm answering his direct questions with exact information that meets his needs, because I upgraded from a D5200 to a D7500 and I understand EXACTLY where he is coming from. The people who pissed on the D7500 for not having antiquated or irrelevant features do not own a D7500 and should have stated they had no experience with it.

The D7500 is head and shoulders above a D7200 in the important aspects, like taking pictures, getting great results and ease of use with the adjustable touchscreen monitor. It doesn't have two slots? Big Feeing Deal, use a big SD card and have a great time taking fabulous pictures. If it's more important to you to play with 2 SD cards instead of taking great pictures, maybe you should take up knitting instead of photography.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Thank you. I still can't understand why people who never used a D7500, let alone OWN one even answer questions and form opinions about it.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Just like those who are absolutely clueless about Canon have all kinds of absolutely retarded opinions about anything Canon or Sony or Olympus or Fuji for that matter.
So unless you or anyone on this site have owned all these cameras specifically please refrain from any and and all comments about any piece of equipment unless you have specifically owned and used that exact piece of equipment. Especially all the yahoo comments from those who know nothing about Canon spouting off on all kinds of rubbish that is patently false.
At least what I post on the two cameras is valid. I never said the 7200 was better than the 7500 if you would pay attention at all. I merely pointed out that there are all kinds of Nikon fanboys that say you can use any F mount lens (Just about) on any modern Nikon camera. Yes they will mount but not operate fully. The OP could come across a cherry 105mm lens that is AIS for a smoking price and been listening to all this crap tat all Nikon F lenses mount on all the Nikon cameras and not realize that they lose functionality with that older lens. There is even that problem with the AF Nikon lenses not all working with all AF Nikon cameras you need a score card to see what works with what.
If this bothers you then let it bother you, but it is good to provide the OP with honest and complete information in order to make an informed decision. So again I never said one was better than the other just pointed out a major weakness being totally ignored by you in order to deceive the OP as to the superiority of one model over the other. I could care less about either model just pointing out differences that you so carefully avoid in order to deceive.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I totally agree with the tenor of your post, to wit, you do not appreciate people who do not own or have experience with a specific camera making (mostly derogatory) comments about it, and you only talk about cameras with which you have experience. So I am puzzled as to why you belie that statement in the same post by talking about the D7500 and Nikon lenses, which you do not own.

I, on the other hand, subscribe to that concept and have never made any derogatory comments about cameras I do not own or with which I have no experience. That also goes for lenses and other equipment. If I ever compare a piece of equipment to another that I do not own, it would be in support of a decision based uniquely on specifications.

I do the same on computer, firearm and competition sites; I happen to think that it gives me more credibility on the subjects about which I do write or offer comment. I would say that if more people would do the same, the volume of posts on this site would diminish by a couple orders of magnitude and the signal to noise ratio would increase substantially.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

You evidently didn’t learn how to use your D5500. You don’t go to the menus to adjust. You should have learned to use the active info screen: which is touch on the D5500 and D5600.

I found the unlighted buttons, inactive info screen, and unreadable green screen on my D7000 awful compared to my D5100 at that time. You have to go to the D7500 to overcome that with a touch screen. Then you get a camera that costs and weighs twice a D5600, doesn’t have fully articulated screen (but at least has flip screen), and takes same images.

I was pretty happy with my D5300 but appreciate the touch screen and snapbridge on my now current D5600.

I agree the viewfinder on the D7xxx is much nicer.

I also have a D800 for when image quality trumps weight and a Lumix GM5 for when size and weight matter most. If only one camera you need to consider what matters most to you.

I find myself using the D5600 most.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

They are just justifying their own purchase of whatever brand against all odds.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Actually I do own a range of Nikon cameras and lenses. Also I rent them from time to time or go to the small local shop and discuss such things.
I do not see how pointing out a real and important difference is derogatory. But Nikon fanboys at time freak out when you point out something they are trying to hide or cover up.
Having been on this site for a number of years I find your comments amazing because frequently Canon gets bashed horribly about various false and ficticious things that the commentators, who by and large, are Nikon fanboys who are absolutely clueless about Canon but regurgitate nonsense and stupidity they heard from other Nikon fanboys bashing Canon.
Again I did not once bash either camera but pointed out a critical difference between the 2 cameras that you have so indignantly called bashing when it is the absolute truth and would be very important if someone were trying to see a difference between the 2 models besides the obvious ones that are put forth over and over and other things are covered up by such as you. Then you get personal and derogatory towards the person telling nothing but the truth.