Nikon
D5200
Mid-range 24MP DX DSLR with 39-point AF, articulating vari-angle LCD, 1080p60 video, and no OLPF sensor.
$799
Launch priceReleased Nov 2012
Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 11.6 years newer.
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Wins
D5200
Wins
Z6 III
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (mechanical) (20 fps vs 6 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- BZ6 III has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD5200
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D5200 is 1mm narrower and 4mm shorter than Z6 III but it is also 14mm thicker.
D5200 is 240 g lighter than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5200 · 74mm Z6 III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5200
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D5200
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 74 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5200
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5200
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z6 III
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D5200
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 360 shots — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 299 — higher is better
Weight
520 g vs 760 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, SD…
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
20 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D5200
Pros
- ✓39-point AF (9 cross-type)
- ✓Articulating vari-angle LCD
- ✓24.1MP no OLPF sensor
- ✓1080p60 video
- ✓Good step-up from D3xxx
Cons
- –Single SD slot
- –No 4K
- –Superseded by D5300/D5500/D5600
- –DSLR platform declining
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5200 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D5200
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, D5200 or Z6 III?
D5200 scores 8.5/10 versus 5.5/10 for Z6 III — 520g — compact and travel-friendly.
What's the resolution difference between the D5200 and Z6 III?
D5200 is 24.1 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the Z6 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5200 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D5200 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5200 or the Z6 III?
D5200 reaches 15 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5200 and Z6 III?
D5200 weighs 520 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the D5200 is 240 g lighter.
Do the D5200 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D5200: 4K up to 60p. Z6 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5200 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D5200: Yes. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5200 and 360 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D5200 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5200 launched at $799 and Z6 III at $2,499. The D5200 is $1,700 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5200 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.