Nikon D7200 versus the Nikon D5500

Introduction

This post is about choosing my new camera. My research suggests the choice is between the Nikon D7200 and the Nikon D5500. I am using this post to clarify my thoughts and reach a conclusion. Seemingly, I have been reading articles and watching on-line videos of reviews and comparisons forever, but I’m just not distilling the information.

So writing this post will help, won’t it?

Current situation

In late 2011 I purchased a Nikon D3100 with a Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD based on a recommendation from the instructor at a weekend workshop I attended. For a couple of years I just used it on automatic. I found on our trip from Istanbul to London that I couldn’t fit many buildings into the frame and so I purchased a wide angle lens (Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5) to help (now I know the pros say a wide angle lens is for getting up very close and not fitting more in, but ……).

However, after winding down my professional work and concentrating more on travel photography (mainly landscape and architecture) I tried to learn more. I had a number of false starts, before getting serious in late 2014 and early 2015. I now use Aperture Priority mode regularly – so why not Shutter Priority – and goodness knows – Manual!

Even though I can’t use all the features on my entry level camera, four things are starting to annoy me: first, I feel the quality of the photos could be better; secondly I want to use bracketing for exposure compensation (not available on D3100); thirdly, a better ISO range would be very useful when shooting in the early morning, early evening and inside buildings; and lastly current cameras are offering vastly improved quality and features compared to five years ago. The Nikon D3100 has been a good tolerant friend, but either the Nikon D7200 or Nikon D5500 meet these needs.

I appreciate that image quality is impacted by the camera and the lens. However, I consider my camera is the poorer of the two and that I should start there.

So which camera should I buy?

Important criteria: The next camera needs to: be an APS-C type with an Nikon F mount (to match my lenses); solve the issues which currently annoy me; and meet my future goals (see below).

Future Goals

I need to shoot better quality and more creative photos (that’s up to me I know!) to meet my future goals.

As previous posts have indicated my rationale for taking photos is to support our travel eBooks. However our eBook goals are changing: (1) it is time to prepare print quality eBooks, in particular, print-on-demand. This means print quality photos; and (2) it is time to experiment with embedded or linked audio and/or video content; and (3) the display quality of tablets and smartphones are improving all the time requiring better quality photos.

Next year’s (2016) eBook on Prague seems like a good time to implement these goals.

So which camera will solve my current situation and meet our future eBook goals?

Camera Options

Nikon offers three categories of APS-C (DX) cameras that will suit my lenses: D3XXX, D5XXX and D7XXX. The first category (D3XXX) is clearly an entry level and my current camera (D3100) is the first in this category. The D5XXX group could be defined as upper entry/lower enthusiast, and the D7XXX category as clearly enthusiast. The D5500 and D7200 are the leading cameras in their respective categories and present themselves as clear candidates for my camera update.

Nikon D7200 versus the Nikon D5500

I am not going to regurgitate all the camera reviews and comparative analysis available on the internet for these two cameras (Some of these are listed below in the references). So in this post I ask the questions: Why should I buy the D5500?, Why shouldn’t I buy the D5500?, Why should I buy the D7200?, and Why shouldn’t I buy the D7200?

My camera is used predominately for travel photograph (outdoors, landscapes, cities and buildings)… and dare I say it photograph surfers and wind-surfers. So this will drive my assessment.

Why should I buy the Nikon D5500?

Matthew Gore suggests: “My general advice is always this: buy the least expensive camera that will meet your needs, and buy the best lenses that you can afford”. Furthermore, Camera Decision when comparing the D5500 and the D7200, suggest that the D5500 is better for street photography, the same for portrait and landscape photography, and almost as good for daily photography. It only loses to the D7200 in sports photography. So when the D5500 can be purchased for approximately $400 dollars less than the D7200, and it is considerably lighter and smaller, there shouldn’t be an argument – just buy it!

So I should buy the D5500 because it:

will cover my needs – I am not a serious sports or wildlife photographer. The 39 point (nine point cross-type) auto focus system will meet my needs.
is approximately $400 dollars cheaper. This means I can buy a fast prime lens – which I don’t currently own.
has a great grip (I went to my local camera dealer and tried holding it – the grip is great).
is lighter and hence good for travelling.
has a fully articulated touch sensitive LCD screen. The way this screen functions lessens the need to access the layered menu system.
makes taking overhead and low-down photos easier to take by using the fully articulated touch-sensitive LCD screen.

I should just buy this thing! Shouldn’t I?

Why shouldn’t I buy the Nikon D5500?

But I must consider the downside, so let’s dig a bit deeper:

The D5500 is not sealed to the weather as with the Nikon D7200. This could be a deal breaker with travel photography as generally you don’t get a choice to come back on another day.
The D5500 is one of the smallest DSLRs (to compete with mirrorless cameras) and so compromises had to be made. One such compromise is that the buttons are quite small and difficult to detect. I have big hands so this is a worry.
Reviewers point to the touch-sensitive fully articulated LCD screen as a real positive. However, I am not so sure – there are arguments for and against:
1. LCDs can be difficult to read in full sunlight and some reviewers say you need small fingers to operate the touch screen (I have experienced these issues with mobile phones)
2. the rear rocker (eight-way controller) in conjunction with the LCD menus are used to control settings – the top-mounted dial cannot be used. This is not easy. The touch-sensitive LCD certainly makes it much easier – if you can see and make accurate selections.
My current camera does not have bracketing whereas the D5500 does, so this is attractive for exposure compensation in low light (early sunrise, late sunset). However the buffer is limited and the situation is exacerbated when shooting in RAW+JPEG.
The D5500 is categorised as upper entry – lower enthusiast level, so will it enable me to grow my photography skills or will I get frustrated?

I must admit I’m concerned about the LCD screen in the Australian light, the limited buffering and if I’ll outgrow it.

Why should I buy the Nikon D7200?

The Nikon D7200 certainly has plenty going for it:

Controls: Sporting two dials and plenty of buttons, the level of control over the parameters of the shooting process is daunting. Most changes can be made without having to use the layered menu system. This extensive control, I’m led to believe, is why its called an enthusiast’s camera.
An excellent auto-focussing system: 51 points, 15 cross-type and focussing down to -3EV (moonlight!).
Weather sealed.
It has a better buffer for continuous shooting and bracketing than the D5500.
All those little extras: the mode dial and drive dial lock preventing accidental change (I’m always accidentally bumping the settings on my D3100); there is a virtual horizon setting; holds two SD cards; the viewfinder displays 100% of the captured image; WiFi and NFC connection; it has an auto ISO reset setting (if you dial in a particular ISO setting then the next time you go to use the camera the ISO will have reset – great). I’m sure there are more little gems.
This camera is going to pose a big challenge going forward – the limitation will be me not the camera

Oh so tempting …

Why shouldn’t I buy the Nikon D7200?

So what are the downside factors to the Nikon D7200?

It weighs more and this could be an issue when travelling.
It is more expensive, most dealers (in-store and online) have the Nikon D7200 listed A$400 above the Nikon D5500.
Buying this camera will delay the purchase of better quality lenses
It could be overkill for my needs and capability

This is tough!

The final decision

In the end I chose the Nokia D7200 – it was a close call. My reasons are listed below.

The controls: this camera provides a high level of control over the photo capturing process. There is a button for most functions and two dials to control the function once selected. Most reviewers express disappointment over the lack of two dials on the Nokia D5500.
A direct consequence of this control is the potential, and big challenge, for me to continue to improve my photography. I now feel as though I have the camera to enable me to reach my stretch goal of producing “print on demand” travel books.
Since I live a “five minute” bicycle ride from the beach with surfers and wind surfers, I have decided to add action shots to my photography goals. This camera’s features, in particular the auto focussing system and continuous shooting ability (adequate buffer for RAW), enable this goal to be attained. Why am I doing this to myself?.
Most reviewers rate this camera as the best APS-C camera of 2015.

My biggest concern is the weight and no doubt this issue will be resolved on our trip to the UK and Europe this year.

I must say that I look forward to a Nikon D5600/D5700 with the same weight (perhaps no screw drive for older lenses) and grip as the Nikon D5500, but offering the controls, buffer, weatherproof case of the Nikon D7200.

References

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Nikon D7200 versus the Nikon D5500

Introduction

Current situation

Future Goals

Camera Options