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
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Z8 is 10.5 years newer.
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Wins
D5200
Wins
Z8
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5200 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BZ8 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 24.1 MP)
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
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
D5200 is 6mm narrower and 21mm shorter than Z8 but it is also 5mm thicker.
D5200 is 300 g lighter than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5200 · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5200
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z8
144 × 119 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
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5200
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z8
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
Z8
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…
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 340 shots — higher is better
Weight
520 g vs 820 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z8
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Z8 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 493
- ✓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)
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
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5200 and Z8 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, D5200 or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for D5200 — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the D5200 and Z8?
D5200 is 24.1 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5200 and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
D5200 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5200 or the Z8?
D5200 reaches 15 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5200 and Z8?
D5200 weighs 520 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the D5200 is 300 g lighter.
Do the D5200 and Z8 record 4K video?
D5200: 4K up to 60p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5200 and Z8 weather sealed?
D5200: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5200 and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the D5200 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5200 launched at $799 and Z8 at $3,999. The D5200 is $3,200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5200 vs Z8 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.