5100 or 5200?

rob shearing

Senior Member
Please can someone help me with what is turning out to be a really difficult choice between the 5100 and the 5200.
I wish to upgrade from the 3100 and was all set to buy the 5200, then it happened! I came across reports of "banding" and green tints to dark parts of the image from the 5200. There seems to be a large amount of people saying forget the 5200 and go for the 5300, which is way out of my budget.
I have managed to find a new 5100 for the price of a 5200. Although it is older technology, does the 5100 represent the best choice?

Thanks

Rob
 

nickt

Senior Member
I don't have either camera, but I would go with the d5200. My d7000 and d7100 compare in a similar way. You would really have to push those shadows hard to show some banding. I just don't think you will see it unless you take pictures in the dark and try to lighten them up to look like daylight.

I had some worries before I bought the d7100, but it just doesn't happen unless you are looking for trouble. Here is an article I had saved. I never experienced a banding problem though and totally forgot there had ever been an issue until I saw your post.
Better Family Photos: Nikon D5200 and D7100 Band-Aid: Solutions for Banding

Take a look through some of the d5200 shots here:
http://nikonites.com/misc.php?do=threadImg&thread=15718#axzz3kar3pcJK
 

Bill16

Senior Member
Though the D5100 is a great camera, I too would pick the D5200! I like old tech, much older than the D5100 even(D700). But it isn't always the best choice, even if it has a good track record! The D5100 is a good jump from the D3100, but the D5200 is a better jump! :)
 

rob shearing

Senior Member
Ok guys, went for the 5200 and picked it up yesterday, really impressed with what i've seen so far.
My only gripe is dirt in the viewfinder. I have checked inside the camera, it's spotless and the dirt specs are in focus so they must be in the viewfinder box? Is this acceptable for a new camera, should I return it, or am I being OCD?

Rob
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Hard to say without being able to see how bad it is first hand, but I tend to be pretty picky about stuff like that. This is a factory fresh camera, yes? Yeah, if it were me, and assuming the return process wouldn't be a huge PITA, I'd probably send it back.

Also, good move going for the D5200... You'll appreciate all the extra focus points if nothing else!
....
 

nickt

Senior Member
Same here, if its brand new, that would bug me. You might want to check the shutter count too if it was sold as new.
 

rob shearing

Senior Member
Very interesting! Good call on the shutter count guys, says 66. I bought it yesterday, took probably 20 shots and then about the same today. Too close to call maybe, but I really don't think I've taken 66.
I am wondering if the stocks of these are "winding down" and I run the risk of receiving another possible returned camera if I ask for a replacement rather than I refund?
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Very interesting! Good call on the shutter count guys, says 66. I bought it yesterday, took probably 20 shots and then about the same today. Too close to call maybe, but I really don't think I've taken 66.
I am wondering if the stocks of these are "winding down" and I run the risk of receiving another possible returned camera if I ask for a replacement rather than I refund?
I imagine even brand new cameras on their way out the factory door are subject to a few clicks of the shutter as quality control measure. Having 20 or 30 clicks on the shutter is like my new car that came with something like 67 miles on the odometer. I might make enquiry, but I certainly wouldn't be flailing my arms over shutter actuations in the double digits.

Now if there are other obvious signs of previous use (e.g. time/date have been set in the menus, broken seals, missing accessories, etc.) then I'd consider that another matter entirely.
....
 
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cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
As far as shutter counts go, I think some operations of the camera will add shutter counts. In the back of my mind seems like live view or something else will add an extra count. Not sure though. Might do a search on shutter count threads to find what I am talking about. Ha!
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Oh, but yes, to answer your question, I would return it also if it was supposed to be new. I have dust or something on the focus plate of my 5300, but it appeared a few months after i received the camera. You can see the thread I started in the D5300 section and other comments on it.
 

rob shearing

Senior Member
Took the camera back today, along with a sketch of where the particles were. The sales assistant said he thought that only one out of the seven marks was a problem, but agreed to exchange the camera.
Many thanks for all the comments, it's great to have a forum such as this to bounce ideas off!
Rob
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Took the camera back today, along with a sketch of where the particles were. The sales assistant said he thought that only one out of the seven marks was a problem, but agreed to exchange the camera.
Many thanks for all the comments, it's great to have a forum such as this to bounce ideas off!
Rob
Not that it matters now, but seven? That sounds pretty significant. I'm curious why one was a problem but the other six weren't... Whatever. Glad you got your exchange.
 
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