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| Nikon 1 V2, 10-100mm lens at 100mm |
Camera Reviews Many camera reviews provide a long list of specifications and features. Several also provide a detailed description of all the various User Interface Modules (UIM, meaning buttons, dials levers, touchscreens etc), describing the location and function of each. No doubt this "shopping list" approach to evaluation has it's uses but reviews like this leave the reader with very little insight as to whether the device is user friendly or not.
User Experience In my family and I suspect many others, devices of all kinds which do not work in harmony with the user get left in the drawer depreciating in value. If a camera is not user friendly it will not be used and so it's real world image quality and performance will be nil.
Notes on the single lens reflex camera (SLR) For 50 years SLR's used film as the recording medium. There was no hint of digital capture, monitor viewing or motion picture capability. With the advent of the digital era the SLR morphed into the DSLR but retained it's basic architecture and flipping mirror operation. Still image and motion picture preview on the monitor require the mirror to be flipped up and locked. This blocks the optical viewfinder and exposure metering unit. It also disables the phase detect autofocus module beneath the mirror. So in monitor view the DSLR has to use a completely different system for exposure and autofocus, taking data from the imaging sensor itself, just like a MILC. In effect the modern DSLR is two cameras in one.
Notes on the MILC Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras were designed for all electronic operation from the start. Focussing, exposure and capture all use the imaging sensor. The camera works the same way with eye level or monitor viewing. This enables a seamless transition between these two viewing modes, either of which can be used for still and motion picture capture.
Monitor viewing and motion picture are fully integrated electronic functions of the MILC but are an afterthought to the SLR's basically mechanical operation.
In addition MILC's, having dispensed with the flipping mirror, mirror box and pentaprism can be much more compact than DSLR's with the same sized sensor.
Price Before using a camera one has to buy it. The D5200/18-200mm is sufficiently more expensive than the other two kits to give one pause about buying. If this camera had markedly better picture quality or performance than the other two kits this extra cost might feel justified. The G6/14-140mm costs more than the V2/10-100mm but it does deliver better image quality.
Size, Mass Although it is not terribly evident from the product comparison photographs, the D5200/18-200mm feels significantly more massive in use than the MILC's, which feel very similar.
Features I have to confess being rather skeptical about many of the features which festoon modern cameras. This trio has some which could be useful and others the appeal of which eludes me. The G6 has touch screen operation, focus peaking and Wi-Fi connectivity to name just a few from the long list available. The V2 can shoot with predictive autofocus on every frame at 5 or 15 frames per second, a huge buffer and continuous streaming EVF view. On the other hand the V2 has some faddish features which I suspect will be three day wonders for many users. These include Motion Snapshot Mode and Best Moment Capture Mode.
User Interface For the novice or snapshooter each camera has an Auto mode. The D5200 has an additional Auto [No flash] mode. Auto Mode works well in each case, allowing easy point and shoot operation.
The D5200 allows user set function of the Fn button on the front of the camera. In practice this will likely be allocated to ISO as there is no other place for direct access to ISO adjustment. Unfortunately the Fn button is difficult to locate by feel as it is immediately adjacent to the lens mounting index marker and close to the identical flash pop up button.
The V2 offers a user interface with reduced content compared with the other two cameras. This might suit the less adventurous user quite well but could be frustrating for an experienced user. The V2 offers no control modules with user selectable function.
The G6 has by far the most user configurable control interface with 6 hard buttons and one lever all enabled for user selectable function. In effect the moderately advanced user can build the interface to suit personal requirements, then change it as those requirements evolve over time. In addition the G6 has three Custom Modes where a group of user configured settings can be saved and reused at any time. This high level of user control does make the G6 appear somewhat intimidating for the novice wanting to move beyond iA mode. Making best use of all that user control does require some thoughtful consideration about how a camera works and how the individual user wants it to function.
User Interface For the novice or snapshooter each camera has an Auto mode. The D5200 has an additional Auto [No flash] mode. Auto Mode works well in each case, allowing easy point and shoot operation.
The D5200 allows user set function of the Fn button on the front of the camera. In practice this will likely be allocated to ISO as there is no other place for direct access to ISO adjustment. Unfortunately the Fn button is difficult to locate by feel as it is immediately adjacent to the lens mounting index marker and close to the identical flash pop up button.
The V2 offers a user interface with reduced content compared with the other two cameras. This might suit the less adventurous user quite well but could be frustrating for an experienced user. The V2 offers no control modules with user selectable function.
The G6 has by far the most user configurable control interface with 6 hard buttons and one lever all enabled for user selectable function. In effect the moderately advanced user can build the interface to suit personal requirements, then change it as those requirements evolve over time. In addition the G6 has three Custom Modes where a group of user configured settings can be saved and reused at any time. This high level of user control does make the G6 appear somewhat intimidating for the novice wanting to move beyond iA mode. Making best use of all that user control does require some thoughtful consideration about how a camera works and how the individual user wants it to function.
Holding, Handling The D5200 feels unbalanced, with a relatively heavy lens on one side and a somewhat inadequate thumb support on the other side. I found it always necessary to apply substantial gripping force with my right hand and also fully support the lens with my left hand. There is enough space on the back of this camera to fit a more prominent thumb support which would allow the right thumb to lie diagonally across the back of the camera for easier holding with less gripping force. The G6 achieves this with a smaller body, showing that it can be done. The V2 has a prominent handle and gets away with the poor thumb rest by being so small and light.
Operating Both the MILC's offer seamless integration of stills and video, eye level and monitor viewing. The G6 allows the monitor view and EVF view to be configured to the same layout so the transition from one to the other involves no cognitive disconnect. The MILCs allow an extensive and user selectable list of camera data to be displayed on or beneath the EVF/Monitor preview/review image. The G6 offers the most options.
Both the MILC's operate smoothly and quietly. The mechanical shutter of the V2 is particularly unobtrusive. Both can be set for silent operation using an electronic shutter. The D5200 operates with audible whirring and clunking as the AF motor, shutter and flipping mirror do their thing.
Family appeal Part of my testing process has been to give each of the cameras to various family members to hold and use. None of them selected the D5200 as the camera they would like to take on a family holiday. Of the two MILC's, my pick for user experience is the G6 as it has the best ergonomics. But others selected the V2 for various reasons. It is the smallest and (just) lightest, it is the most quietly unobtrusive in operation and (this is not a joke) the shiny white surface is not easily marked by ladies' makeup.
My ranking for user experience is
1. G6/14-140mm
2. V2/10-100mm
3. D5200/18-200mm
Next: Picture Quality
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