Both Nikon D5200 and Canon 80D have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
Below you can see the D5200 and 80D sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D5200 and Canon 80D Cameras
Nikon D5200 and Canon 80D have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D5200 and Canon 80D sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D5200 has scored 84, 5 points higher than 80D.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D5200
84
24.2 bits
13.9 Evs
1284 ISO
Canon 80D
79
23.6 bits
13.2 Evs
1135 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon D5200
or the
Canon 80D ,
including hyperfocal distance.
