The Nikon D5300 is a beginner DSLR that ranks with Canon EOS Rebel T6. It uses a sensor minus a low pass filter. Therefore, this entry-level camera has the potential to capture more detail. It comes with a new EXPEED 4 processing engine. This has given Nikon D5300 power to improve image quality.
The beginner DSLR has an impact on noise control at high sensitivity settings as well. Settings are user-friendly with simple navigation to the desired feature. You only need to press the OK button. This simple approach is fast to use by beginners and could be enhanced more with a touch-sensitive screen.
Check Out: Best Lenses for Nikon D5300
Nikon D5300: Price
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Nikon D5300: Build and Handling
This beginner DSLR comes with a polycarbonate body. It’s the first Nikon model to be built with a monocoque construction. Having a shell made from a single piece of material makes Nikon D5300 stronger. It is fitted with a stereo mic port above the viewfinder and GPS plus Wi-Fi. There is a large mode dial on the top plate for accessing automatic options like Scene Effects modes.
Nikon D5300: View-finder
Nikon D5300 has an excellent screen to encourage using Live View. This entry-level DSLR camera shoots accurately in decent light. But, it a bit slow when compared to systems with average modern compact system cameras like Panasonic G6 or Olympus E-P5.
On a good note, it’s a magnified view when focusing manually gives a lot of detail. Thus, the Nikon D5300 works well when capturing stationary macro and still life objects.
As expected from an entry-level DSLR target at aspiring photographers, the Nikon D5300 shoots pleasant pictures. They have a lot of detail and beautiful vibrant colors. With high sensitivity settings, this best beginner DSLR produces JPEG images with a higher signal-to-noise ratio. It means there is less noise visible.
Nikon D5300 produces images with very pleasant colors. Do not avoid the Landscape Picture Control mode. It can produce some punchy results. This entry-level camera has other modes like Creative Effect mode, HDR Painting mode, and Toy Camera Mode.
Nikon D5300: Connectivity
A major addition on Nikon D5300 is the inbuilt Wi-Fi and GPS technology. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can transfer images from the Nikon D5300 to a smartphone or tablet. It comes with Nikon’s free Wireless Mobile Utility App. You can also use this app to control the Nikon D5300 shutter remotely.
GPS system makes it possible to tag images with longitude, latitude, and altitude of shooting location. You can use Nikon’s ViewNX2 software to create travel maps to be displayed on Nikon Image Space. Or, you can share them on your social networks or site which supports GPS like Flickr.
Nikon D5300: Controls
15 keys, three dials and two switches are used in the D5300. For newcomers, it can be overwhelming, but it places all the functionality next to the seasoned shooter’s ear. The control dial on the back makes it easy to walk through options such as shutter speed or aperture, while buttons near the shutter allow you to stop and start capturing video or apply exposure compensation without looking away from the viewfinder (making images a little clearer or darker in auto mode).
Some of the buttons, however, are a little strangely positioned. The drive-mode button (single shot, burst shoot, etc.) is mounted on the front of the lens frame, making it difficult to hit this button.
In our assessment, the D5300 correctly tests how easy it is to reach key settings. It has performed well because it is easy to navigate controls easily due to the huge number of buttons and dials. But certain setups are somewhat buried, such as white balance.
Nikon D5300: In-Depth Specifications
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | |
| Body type | |
| Body type | Compact SLR |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Other resolutions | 4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Expeed 4 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100 – 12800 (25600 with boost) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 25600 |
| White balance presets | 12 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (1) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal, Basic |
| File format |
|
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus |
|
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Digital zoom | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 39 |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 1,037,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT LCD monitor |
| Live view | Yes (With contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking) |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.82× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes |
|
| Scene modes |
|
| Built-in flash | Yes (Pop-up) |
| Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (Hot-shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes |
|
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) |
| Metering modes |
|
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis) |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (Mini Type C) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Remote control | Yes (Optional ML-L3 or WR-R10) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-Ion EN-EL14a or EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 600 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 480 g (1.06 lb / 16.93 oz) |
| Dimensions | 125 x 98 x 76 mm (4.92 x 3.86 x 2.99″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | Built-in |
Nikon D5300: Conclusion
The vari-angle screen and effect modes allow the user to shoot in live view mode (and compose the screen image), but the output of the live view AF system lags behind that of many compact system cameras, and the screen is not sensitive to touch.
However, a 24-million-pixel DSLR with a 3.2-inch articulating screen, 39-point AF system, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity is still a good option for someone looking to take their photography more seriously. The control layout is relatively simple, too, so you can find the settings that you want and get to grips with the camera quickly.
