Nikon D5200 vs Canon 80D

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Nikon D5200 vs Canon 80D

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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.

APS-C 337.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 80D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 80D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 80D.
Compare Canon 80D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 80D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5300
Compare D5200 vs D5300

Succeeded by the Canon 90D
Compare 80D vs 90D

Compare NIKON D5300 vs CANON 90D

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Differences

Nikon D5200 advantages over Canon 80D

Less expensive
$500 vs $935
Save money for lenses or accessories
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.
D5200 test data on DxO Mark 80D test data on DxO Mark

1,284 vs 1,135 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Lighter weight
827g vs 1270g
Lighter weight
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 53 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 80D advantages over Nikon D5200

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

960 vs 500 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
216 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
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.59x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
6.8 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5200 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 80D User Reviews

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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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 80D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All 80D Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.
New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).
Read our Canon 80D Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D5200

Sony A65

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Sony A65

Canon 80D

Sony A65

$935
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony A65

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200

$590
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

$477
APS-C

Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D3200

Canon 80D

Nikon D3200

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D5200

Sony A58

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Sony A58

Canon 80D

Sony A58

$935
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony A58

Compared to Nikon D7200

Nikon D5200

Nikon D7200

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D7200

Canon 80D

Nikon D7200

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Nikon D7500

Nikon D5200

Nikon D7500

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 80D

Nikon D7500

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
NFC

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7500

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