Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5200 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D5200

Nikon D800

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

These two camera models were both released 2012.

Camera	Released
Nikon D5200	2012
Nikon D800	2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D5200 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D5200	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D800	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D5200 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon D5200	24 MP 24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000
Nikon D800	36,3 MP 36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 51 % larger resolution than Nikon D5200. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D800 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5200. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D5200 has 100 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D5200	100-6400
Nikon D800	100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D800 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5200 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5200
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D5200 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5200	5
Nikon D800	6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D5200 and Nikon D800 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 62% heavier than Nikon D5200 and its 555 gr (or 1.22 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D5200	555 gr 1.22 lb
Nikon D800	900 gr 1.98 lb