Mario’s note: New article by Iaio Atamian introducing us to this new Nikon reflex camera model called the D5300.
Apparently this will not be a quiet season in the SLR camera market. Less than a year after the launch of its predecessor, the Japanese giant has just launched its new version, the Nikon D5300 camera.
If you are wondering if it is necessary to change your camera, or you feel like throwing your brand new D5200 out the window, don’t rush, wait until you read the following analysis that I will make of this new Nikon D5300.
Where are you standing?
If you are thinking of making the leap to a Nikon SLR camera, or you are taking your first steps with it, it is likely that you are half lost between so many numbers, models and releases. Don’t worry, just take a look at the following map to locate yourself a little better on the Nikon planet (click to enlarge):
(Psstttt, if you don’t know what APS-C or Full Frame means, I recommend you read the following article: Types and characteristics of photo camera sensors.)
Who is the Nikon D5300 camera for?
As the Nikon camera “map” above marks, the D5300 is a camera aimed at the beginner, but advanced photographer. In other words, it is above the D3100 or D3200 line, cameras designed for those starting out in the world of SLRs, but it is still one step below the intermediate models such as the D7000 or D7100, which are aimed at users already more advanced or semi professional.
The Nikon D5300 is an ideal camera if you find the top models too expensive but don’t settle for the entry-level D3100 or D3200.
The Nikon D5300 is intended for a beginner photographer who wants to last a long time with an SLR camera, even when it’s time to make the leap to the professional world.
Key features of the Nikon D5300
- APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm) of 24.2 real megapixels that allow resolutions of 6000 × 4000 pixels).
- Fully articulating and rotating 3.2” LCD screen.
- 39 focus points, 9 diagonals.
- Better resolution since, as in the most professional models, they eliminated the OLPF filter.
- Integrated GPS and Wi-Fi connection.
- ISO sensitivity minimum 100 and maximum 25,600 in boost mode (H2).
- Minimum shutter speed 1/4000.
- Full HD 1080p video at 60, 50 and 30fps.
- Long battery life: 600 shots.
- Time Lapse and HDR modes from the camera itself.
- Expeed 4 processor that allows up to 5 photos per second and better response in low light situations.
- Integrated microphone for sound recording in stereo video mode.
News regarding its predecessor, the D5200
- Goodbye to the OLEP filter: surely you still did not know him and you should say goodbye to him. The low-level optical filter or “Optical Low-pass Filter” for its acronym in English, also known as Anti Aliasing filter, seems to be on its way to extinction. This filter was conceived to “improve” the photographs in the face of certain repetitive patterns, such as photographing a brick wall, making them slightly blur. But of course, said blur corrects a small problem generating a much larger one, the loss of sharpness. Recently, Nikon started offering the possibility that new models do not include such a filter, and now it seems to have decided to nip the problem in the bud.
- Expedition 4 processor: the addition of the new processor does not translate into an improvement in the number of pictures per second that the D5300 is capable of taking compared to its predecessor. Both cameras are capable of shooting up to 5 photos per second in burst mode. Where the difference does seem to be noticeable is when recording video in Full HD 1920 × 1080 at 60p, since the Expeed 4 apparently maintains autofocus throughout the recording. At the end of the article you will be able to watch two videos and draw your own conclusions.
- Better low light photos: Nikon’s new model almost doubles the maximum ISO sensitivity compared to the previous model, at least without using boost. Despite almost keeping the sensor, the D5300 works a little better in low light situations. If you want to defeat your worst enemy: darkness, this camera will be your best ally.
- More screen and viewfinder: One of the main novelties of this model compared to its predecessor is the increase in the size of its rotating screen. The D5300 features a 3.2” LED screen that is 10% larger than the D5200. But not only is the screen bigger, in addition, in order to take full advantage of its new size, its resolution has also been increased significantly. Reviewing your photos, accessing settings and adjustments, filming and taking photos using Live View will be easier and more comfortable. When analyzing its price, you will see if you are willing to pay more for that 10%.
- GPS: The Nikon D5300 is the brand’s first camera to include GPS and Wi-Fi built into the body of the camera. Using GPS, you no longer have to write down each and every one of the places you visit and where you take photos, since the camera is responsible for georeferencing all the photos.
- WIFI: It was to be expected that Nikon would include this feature already integrated into its cameras, as demanded by a sector of its users. The D5300 is the first to include, integrated into its body, the possibility of shooting remotely and, at the same time, being able to access its settings and adjustments via Wi-Fi. And if you are a lover of life 2.0, you can easily connect it to a Smartphone or Tablet, share your photos and be the envy of the Internet.
- Drums: None of all the new features included by Nikon in the D5300 would be useful if they didn’t increase its battery capacity. Apparently, the Japanese brand anticipated this problem and included a longer battery life in its brand new member of the family.
- Weight and size: a larger screen, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, more battery capacity, and a longer focal range lens might make you think of a heavy-duty device. To your surprise, this is not the case, since the D5300 includes as one of its novelties, having reduced the weight of its predecessor by more than 10%, weighing less than half a kilo.
Nikon D5300 vs D5200
I have already told you about the main features of the Nikon D5300 and also its main differences with the D5200, but if you are one of those photographers who study every last detail when evaluating your next camera, I have prepared a table with the specifications of the D5300 and its corresponding comparison with its predecessor model:
Price and comparisons
We know that the big brands launch these types of products on the market with minimal improvements and at high prices in an effort to catch the most anxious and unsuspecting consumers. If you were looking for a reflex camera, don’t rush, surely you have already realized that the D5300 does not bring any radical change in terms of photography, compared to its previous model, which by the way, by now, has already quite low in price.
Now, if you are willing to spend a few euros, because you are a lover of the latest cameras or connectivity and you consider that it is worth the expense, here is the link to Amazon Nikon D5300 with 18-55mm lens which is my recommended online store.
Nikon D5300: Photos. What really matters
Never go shopping for a camera without first seeing a small sample of photos taken with it. To help you make the decision, here are a few:
nikon d5300: video
As I mentioned before, the Nikon D5300 includes two improvements regarding video recording among its main novelties:
- Continuous autofocus throughout the recording.
- Better video quality in low light conditions.
Here I leave you two videos so you can see recording samples of the Nikon D5300 and so you can draw your own conclusions:
low light:
At daytime:
This is my humble opinion 😉
Do you really need to upgrade? From my point of view, despite being a camera with very outstanding features, I consider that neither of the two previous models, the D5200 and the D5100, have much to envy the D5300. In fact, if you ask me personally, I don’t think it’s worth spending money just to gain a few megapixels or the ability to share photos directly from the camera, not to mention if you edit your photos on your computer.
If you ask me what I would do with the 800-odd Euros that the Nikon D5300 costs: I would go to the nearest store and get an impressive Nikon D7000 with an 18-105mm VR kit lens, and with what was left over, I would buy some filters or I would go to celebrate my new acquisition at a good restaurant (and I would still have money left over).
I hope you liked the article. If you have already got a Nikon D5300, do not hesitate to tell us about your experiences and sensations in the comments.