• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D5200 advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    24.2 vs 20.0 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,284 vs 138 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.52x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Nikon D5200

  • Less expensive
    $279* vs $500
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS50

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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D5200
Sony A65
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS50
Sony A65
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200
Nikon D3200
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Panasonic ZS50
Nikon D3200
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D5200
Sony A58
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS50
Sony A58
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Nikon D5200
Panasonic ZS40
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Nikon D5200
Canon SX700 HS
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter
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