Canon 6D vs Nikon D5200

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Canon 6D vs Nikon D5200

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35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5200 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5200.

Succeeded by the Canon 6D Mark II
Compare 6D vs 6D Mark II

Succeeded by the Nikon D5300
Compare D5200 vs D5300

Compare CANON 6D MARK II vs NIKON D5300

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Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Nikon D5200

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
6D test data on DxO Mark D5200 test data on DxO Mark

2,340 vs 1,284 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 500 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D5200 advantages over Canon 6D

Less expensive
$500 vs $1999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5200 test data on DxO Mark 6D test data on DxO Mark

13.9 vs 12.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Lighter weight
827g vs 1448g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.1 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
39 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
4.9 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 1250 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.0 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5200 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 6D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5200

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Kit with 18-55mm Lens
Body Only
Kit with 18-105mm Lens
Kit with 18-140mm Lens

All D5200 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

Captures sharp, detailed photos with its new 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, even at higher ISOs; Features a familiar (D5100) but refined body design; Records Full HD video with full-time autofocus tracking; Packs a ton of advanced features into a consumer-friendly body at a great price.
Autofocuses a little slowly for its class and struggles at times in low light; Changing some basic settings takes more time and effort than it should; Mediocre kit lens.
Read our Nikon D5200 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D5200

Canon 5D Mark III

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Nikon D5200

Nikon D610

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Nikon D5200

Canon 7D Mark II

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1597
APS-C

Built-in GPS
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D3200

Canon 6D

Nikon D3200

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

$477
APS-C

Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 6D

Nikon D600

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D600

Nikon D5200

Nikon D600

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lighter weight

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D600

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