Front (7.5)
The front of the Nikon Coolpix 5200 is dominated by the 3x optical zoom, which has a total zoom capability of 12x when one factors in the 4x digital zoom. (As always, when digital zoom is engaged, the quality of the overall image will be compromised.) With the lens of the Nikon Coolpix 5200 occupying most of the left side, the microphone runs along the upper left side of the lens housing, and is indicated by seven small dots. Above the microphone and lens is the internal flash for the camera. To the right of the internal flash is the viewfinder window, with the Self Timer Lamp/AF Assist Illuminator LED located beside it. Running along the right side of the front of the camera body is a raised grip for the camera, with a sliver extending out for the user’s fingers to curl around.

Back (7.5)
The upper left corner on the back of the Nikon Coolpix 5200 holds the real image viewfinder, with the flash and AF lamps located beside it. All these are raised slightly from the camera body and encased in a rectangle of dull gray plastic. Below the viewfinder, and perfectly positioned to get one’s nose grease all over it if the viewfinder is used, is the camera’s 1.5-inch LCD screen. Underneath the LCD screen are, from left to right, the delete button, the Menu button, and the play button. To the right of the LCD screen is the four-way controller for the camera, which allows for dual control as well as navigation. The up arrow controls Flash settings, the right arrow controls Exposure settings, the down arrow controls Macro mode, and the left arrow sets the self-timer. The centrally located enter button doubles as a transfer button during playback. In the upper right corner, on the back of the camera body, the user will find the Zoom buttons, which control the degree of Wide Angle and Telephoto being engaged by the user. When in playback mode the Wide Angle button allows for a Multi-up viewing format, and the Telephoto allows for Playback zoom.

Left Side (8.0)
The only component featured on the left side of the Nikon Coolpix 5200’s camera body is the USB A/V-out port located underneath a somewhat flimsy port cover.

Right Side (8.0)
The right side features a slot for a memory card, located underneath a cover that is slid backward. A wrist strap eyelet is located at the top of the camera body.

Top (8.0)
The top of the Nikon Coolpix 5200 has its on/off button located toward the right side in the middle of the camera body. The shutter button is slightly in front of and to the left of this button, and is both large and comfortable to engage. Further left is the Mode Dial, which has eight separate settings which control shooting modes: Auto, Scene, Portrait Assist, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, Set Up, and Movie. This dial could be a little hard to decipher and use comfortably under low light; an LED underneath would have greatly enhanced this feature.