Canon 800D vs Nikon D5200

The Canon EOS 800D (called Canon T7i in some regions) and the Nikon D5200 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2017 and November 2012. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

	VS
Canon 800D		Nikon D5200
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses		Nikon F mount lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		24 MP, APS-C Sensor
1080/60p Video		1080/60i Video
ISO 100-25600 (100-51200)		ISO 100-6400 (100-25600)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD, 1040k dots		3.0" LCD, 921k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
6 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
600 shots per battery charge		500 shots per battery charge
131 x 100 x 76 mm, 532 g		129 x 98 x 78 mm, 555 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 800D and the Nikon D5200? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 800D and the Nikon D5200. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The D5200 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the 800D is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D5200 is somewhat smaller (3 percent) than the Canon 800D. However, the D5200 is slightly heavier (4 percent) than the 800D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 800D nor the D5200 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (800D) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D5200).

Concerning battery life, the 800D gets 600 shots out of its LP-E17 battery, while the D5200 can take 500 images on a single charge of its EN-EL14 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 800D»	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	532 g	600	n	Feb 2017	749		Canon 800D
	Nikon D5200«	129 mm	98 mm	78 mm	555 g	500	n	Nov 2012	749		Nikon D5200
	Canon 850D« »	131 mm	103 mm	76 mm	515 g	800	n	Feb 2020	749		Canon 850D
	Canon 2000D« »	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	475 g	500	n	Feb 2018	449		Canon 2000D
	Canon 77D« »	131 mm	100 mm	76 mm	540 g	600	n	Feb 2017	899		Canon 77D
	Canon 200D« »	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	453 g	650	n	Jun 2017	549		Canon 200D
	Canon M6« »	112 mm	68 mm	45 mm	390 g	295	n	Feb 2017	779		Canon M6
	Canon 1300D« »	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	485 g	500	n	Mar 2016	449		Canon 1300D
	Canon G7 X Mark II« »	106 mm	61 mm	42 mm	319 g	265	n	Feb 2016	699		Canon G7 X Mark II
	Canon 750D« »	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	749		Canon 750D
	Canon 760D« »	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	649		Canon 760D
	Nikon D5600« »	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	465 g	970	n	Nov 2016	699		Nikon D5600
	Nikon D5500« »	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	420 g	820	n	Jan 2015	899		Nikon D5500
	Nikon D5300« »	125 mm	98 mm	76 mm	480 g	600	n	Oct 2013	799		Nikon D5300
	Nikon D3200« »	125 mm	96 mm	77 mm	505 g	540	n	Apr 2012	599		Nikon D3200
	Nikon D5100« »	128 mm	97 mm	79 mm	560 g	660	n	Apr 2011	749		Nikon D5100
Convert to Imperial
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D5200 is 11 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (800D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

Even though the D5200 has a larger sensor, both cameras offer the same resolution of 24 megapixels. This implies that the D5200 has a lower pixel density and larger individual pixels (with a pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 3.72μm for the 800D), which gives it a potential advantage in terms of light gathering capacity. It should, however, be noted that the 800D is much more recent (by 4 years and 3 months) than the D5200, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size.

The 800D has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS 800D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D5200 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the 800D provides a higher frame rate than the D5200. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/60i.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 800D and the D5200 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), as well as the same magnification (0.51x). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 800D and Nikon D5200 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The 800D has a touchscreen, while the D5200 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The Nikon D5200 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 800D and the D5200 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 800D and Nikon D5200 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the 800D offers wifi support, while the D5200 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the 800D and the D5200 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The D5200 was replaced by the Nikon D5300, while the 800D was followed by the Canon 850D. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 800D and the Nikon D5200? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 800D:

• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/60i).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 921k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (600 versus 500) on a single battery charge.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 3 months of technical progress since the D5200 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D5200:

• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in November 2012).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the 800D is the clear winner of the match-up (10 : 2 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 800D and the Nikon D5200 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 800D and the D5200 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	cam era   labs	dp re   view	e photo   zine	ima ging resource	photo graphy   blog	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 800D	..	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	4/5	Feb 2017	749		Canon 800D
	Nikon D5200	+ +	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Nov 2012	749		Nikon D5200
	Canon 850D	..	..	..	..	..	Feb 2020	749		Canon 850D
	Canon 2000D	o	..	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449		Canon 2000D
	Canon 77D	..	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	899		Canon 77D
	Canon 200D	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549		Canon 200D
	Canon M6	..	80/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779		Canon M6
	Canon 1300D	o	73/100	4/5	3.5/5	4/5	Mar 2016	449		Canon 1300D
	Canon G7 X Mark II	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	699		Canon G7 X Mark II
	Canon 750D	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749		Canon 750D
	Canon 760D	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	649		Canon 760D
	Nikon D5600	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2016	699		Nikon D5600
	Nikon D5500	+	79/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	899		Nikon D5500
	Nikon D5300	+ +	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	799		Nikon D5300
	Nikon D3200	+ +	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	599		Nikon D3200
	Nikon D5100	+ +	76/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2011	749		Nikon D5100
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

Specifications: Canon 800D vs Nikon D5200

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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