Nikon CoolPix 5200

Manual Control Options
Manual controls that are available for the Nikon Coolpix 5200 are White Balance, Exposure, Flash, ISO, Metering Parameters, Image Size and Quality, Burst Mode, Custom Image Presets, and Zoom, among others. However, many of these modes are "manual" only in the sense that the user can choose among different manufacturer presets.

Auto Focus (7.0)
The Auto Focus for the Nikon Coolpix 5200 is a bit troublesome. Once the shutter is pressed partially to engage it, it still takes two or three seconds to settle the focus and prepare the shot for image capture. If the user scans through the menu, they can access the AF Area Mode, which allows them to decide among Off, Center, and Manual focus. When in manual mode, the user can adjust the focal area, using the four-way controller and the LCD screen to adjust for more complex situations. However, this setting isn’t the fastest to engage or use in most situations. Beneath the Area Mode setting is the Auto-Focus Mode subsection, which allows the user to select between Continuous or Single Focus modes.

Manual Focus (0.0)
Although you can use the Auto Focus to select from among fixed settings, there is no true manual focus setting available for Manual Focus on the Nikon Coolpix 5200.

Metering (7.5)
Metering options for the Nikon Coolpix 5200 are located under the metering subsection of the Menu, where the user can choose among Matrix, Center-weighted, and Spot modes. Matrix considers the settings from multiple portions of the image frame evenly, Center-weighted focuses on the center of the image frame, and Spot mode considers the light within the circle displayed on the LCD screen.

Exposure (7.0)
The Exposure settings are controlled by pressing the right arrow on the four-way controller during regular shooting mode, which will display an exposure scale on the LCD screen of the Nikon Coolpix 5200. The ratings are -2, -1.7, -1.3, -1.0, -0.7, -0.3, 0, +0.3, +0.7, +1.0, +1.3, +1.7, and +2.0. The lower the setting, the less light is allowed into the image being captured, and the darker the image will appear on the LCD screen.

White Balance (8.0)
The white balance is controlled through the Menu button. A user can choose from among the following settings: Auto, White Balance preset, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent (FL1 or FL2), Cloudy, Shade, or Speedlight.

ISO (8.0)
The ISO sensitivity settings for the Nikon Coolpix 5200 are also available in the onscreen LCD menu, under the heading of Sensitivity ISO. The available settings are Auto, 64, 100, 200, and 400. The higher the rating, the more sensitive the camera will be, and the more feasible it will be to shoot under low light situations. However, it should be noted that more grain or noise will occur when higher ISO settings are engaged.

Shutter Speed (0.0)
No manual control settings are available in regards to shutter speed on the Nikon Coolpix 5200.

Aperture (0.0)
There are no aperture settings available to satisfy the manual control enthusiast when using the Nikon Coolpix 5200.