Should I Buy the Nikon D7200 or the D7500? Which of these cameras is a better DSLR? Should you upgrade to the Nikon D7500 from the Nikon D7200 or look for the latest Nikon DSLRs?
Released in 2015 and 2017 respectively, Nikon D7200 and Nikon D7500 are slightly old but still very capable cameras. The arrival of DSLRs like the Nikon D780 has made it rather confusing for people who want to buy a more advanced DSLR camera. Do you go for the professional D750 or save some money and buy the older D750?
But – we will only compare D7200 and D7500 for the sake of this article. Despite having some stark differences, they also have some similarities because they came out quite close to each other. Similarly, the Nikon D7500 is a much cheaper camera than the Nikon D780 and therefore, more appealing to people on a budget. However, if all of these cameras don’t seem right, you can also check the Nikon D500 or Nikon D850, both of which are excellent cameras in their own right.
Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D7200: Key Differences
Now, we are going to compare Nikon D7200 and 7500 and talk about their key differences. The first of these differences is the megapixels or sensors.
D7200 vs D7500: Sensor
The D7200 has a 24-megapixel APS-C DX-format sensor. The D7500 has a reduction of 3 megapixels, having a 20.9-megapixel sensor. However, it uses the same DX-format chip as D7200.
D7500 may have a smaller sensor but it does not make any difference in the tests taken in the real world. The ISO range is also more versatile which is 100-51200 compared to 100-25600 in the case of D7200. Similarly, the extended ISO range of D7500 is an astounding 1640000.
D7500 delivers much better performance when it comes to ISO even though you rarely use the highest ISO. It is also a more versatile camera because you can take photographs at even ISO 50. Therefore, it becomes easier for you to use fast prime lenses in bright light or give vent to your creativity.
When it comes to Nikon D7500 vs D7200 image quality, both cameras deliver sharp and crisp images despite the clear difference in the sensor size.
D7200 vs D7500: Autofocus
Both cameras have the same autofocus system with 51 points, offering greater accuracy thanks to the 15 central point cross-type variants.
The Nikon D7500 is a bit more advanced though. It has improved tracking abilities courtesy of high-resolution metering sensors. The 2016 pixel RGB sensor on D7200 is no match for D7500’s 180000 pixels sensor. Similarly, the autofocus of the D7500 also features Group Area AF mode just like the D500.
Another advantage of the D7500 is the addition of the Auto Fine-Tune system to its autofocus. It allows you to automatically calibrate autofocus in live view if you are using specific lenses.
D7200 vs D7500: Rear Display
D7200 and D7500 differ in terms of their LCDs as well. The former uses a large 3.2-inch display within the camera body whereas the latter comes with a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, offering more advantages than a fixed LCD.
The flip-out or tilting display makes it a breeze to frame shots in the live view. Furthermore, you can just tap on the screen to focus. It even allows you to focus on specific areas just by tapping on the screen and pressing the shutter at the same time. You can also swipe to review images and do a lot more with a tilting touchscreen.
The major disadvantage of the D7500 is the low screen resolution. The D7200 has a resolution of 1,299,000 dots which easily outshines that of D7500’s 922,000 dots. However, it still shows good color rendition with good image clarity in the images.
D7200 vs D7500: Burst Shooting Speed
Both cameras have average continuous shooting speed by today’s standards. The 7200 has a shooting speed of 6fps which is not that bad. D7500 is slightly faster at 8fps, not a significant improvement either. However, the D7500 has a large buffer allowing you to take 50 uncompressed RAW files at this speed. On the other hand, you can only take 18 shots with D7200.
D7200 vs D7500: Build Quality
The Nikon D7500 is 16% and 5% lighter than the D500 and D7200 respectively. Weighing only 640g/1lb 6.6 oz., it feels quite solid yet comfortable in your hands.
D7500 has a deeper handgrip compared to that of D7200. However, the D7200 is more suitable for portrait format as it can accommodate a vertical battery grip. The D7500 doesn’t offer this luxury to the photographers.
D7500 is a lightweight weather-proof camera made of a single monocoque to reduce weight. D7200 also has a weather poof rating but has magnesium alloy construction. Simply put, the D7500 has excellent build quality for every use.
D7200 vs D7500 Video Quality
Nikon D7200 can record Full HD 1080P videos at 60fps. On the other hand, the D7500 can shoot 4k UHD videos at 30fps. Similarly, it can record 4K footage for a full 30 minutes. Apart from 4K, D7500 can also record Full HD 1080P videos at 60fps. You can create in-camera 4K time-lapse movies using D7500 as well. It also improves the quality of handheld videos by offering electronic vibration reduction for videos.
Both cameras enable monitoring and high-quality audio recording as they feature headphones and microphone jacks. Furthermore, the D7500 also outputs uncompressed images via HDMI and 4K videos to the card at the same time.
D7200 vs D7500: Connectivity
Nikon D7500 is compatible with Nikon SnapBridge technology and thus, easily and permanently connects to your smartphone, tablet, and other smart devices through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Therefore, it automatically transfers files to a smart device as soon as you take a shot.
The connectivity options for D7200 include NFC and Wi-Fi. While it is still very easy to transfer files to a smart device but the process is not as efficient as in D7500.
D7200 vs D7500: Storage Capacity
The D7200 has a dual memory card slot, enabling you to store media of different types separately. For example, you can store images on one card and videos on the other. Or, you can record JPEG images in one and RAW in the other. Similarly, you can use the second card if the first card is filled to the capacity.
D7500 has only a single card slot, much to the dismay of many users. However, modern memory cards often have huge capacities and they don’t tend to have errors as well. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if the camera has single or dual card slots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is D7200 better than D7500?
The Nikon D7500 offers several improvements over the D7200, such as a higher ISO range, faster continuous shooting speed, and the ability to shoot 4K video. However, the D7200 has a dual SD card slot and a slightly higher resolution, which some users might prefer.
Is Nikon D7500 outdated?
The Nikon D7500 is not necessarily outdated, as it still offers robust features for photography and video, including a 20.9 MP sensor, 8 fps continuous shooting, and 4K video capability. However, newer models and advancements in camera technology may offer more features or improved performance.
Which camera is better than Nikon D7500?
Cameras considered better than the Nikon D7500 could include higher-end Nikon models like the Nikon Z6 or Z7 mirrorless cameras, which offer superior image quality, better low-light performance, and more advanced video capabilities. The choice depends on specific needs, preferences, and budget.
What are the disadvantages of Nikon D7200?
The main disadvantages of the Nikon D7200 include its lack of 4K video recording, a single autofocus system compared to newer models, and no built-in image stabilization. Additionally, it has a slower continuous shooting rate compared to newer models like the D7500.
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D7200 vs D7500: Verdict
So, is D7500 worth buying, or should you stick with D7200? You should choose D7500 if you are using D3xxx and D5xxx cameras like D4300 and D5600. Similarly, it is also the way to go if you have D7000 or D7100. D7500 has a higher ISO range and delivers improved performance in all aspects. Similarly, the tilting touchscreen gives it a distinct advantage over other cameras in the series. However, you should stick to D7200 if you have one and you are on a limited budget. If your budget is not constrained, skip the D7500 and buy the newer Nikon D780 DSLR or even the latest Nikon D6.