I recently took a Nikon D5300 camera on a road trip through Las Vegas and Utah. This is a recent release for Nikon and it’s a camera that has a few new features that really stand out. The camera also performed much better than the previous model, the 5200, which I tested last year.
Things I Like
This camera is purely targeted at photo enthusiasts. It is a reasonably priced DSLR that is quite small. This camera offers the ability to transport easily while still offering the flexibility of interchangeable lenses and longer battery life.
- 24.2 megapixels. The images shot on this camera are very high resolution. The camera’s sensor matches the D7100.
- 5 frames per second. This should be plenty fast for most enthusiasts. Capture action and candid shots easily.
- Built in WiFi, connect to Smart devices. In a welcome move, gone are adapters, dongles, or special cards. Simply turn it on and connect via a computer or a dedicated app for mobile. Easily download images and even take basic controls of the camera.
- Built in GPS. Tag your images or even keep a log of where you’ve been on a trip.
- 1080/60p Full HD H-Movie. The video features are not on par withe the pro bodies (like the D600) but do offer quality video for personal use.
- Vari-angle swivel LCD monitor. You can easily position the LiveView panel for different shooting styles and angle. The display was crisp and easy to read.
- Autofocus. The camera uses a 39-point high-density autofocus system with 9 cross-type sensors. It was snappy and performed fairly well in my tests.
Conclusion
This is a great camera for an entry-level or hobbyist. With that said, I was able to produce high-quality images. The WiFi feature and robustness of its raw files really stand out.
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Reblogged this on Photomontage: Life in Progress and commented:
Nikon mini review
I got this camera for my daughter to take pictures of our grandson. What video mode would you recommend using? What difference does it make a difference to shoot at the full 60 frames/sec rather than an 30 which is closer to television? Thanks for your assistance with this and your regular sharing of helpful information
60 is only for slow motion effects. Shoot 30 or 24.
For video… if you are very inexperienced, auto. Best control, manual. Pick up book Snapshots to Great Shots DSLR Video.
Thanks
I’m just entering the realm of amateur photography and the Nikon cameras have caught my interest. Thanks for these beautiful shots and the review. It helps make the choice easier.
What difference does it make a difference to shoot at the full 60 frames/sec rather than an 30 which is closer to television? Thanks for your assistance with this and your regular sharing of helpful information
60 is for slow motion and over cranked effects.
Richard, I’ve owned and used a slew of Nikon’s smaller DSLRs, most recently the D5100. I recently switched to Canon for faster focusing, but am missing the better exposure metering and dynamic range i felt the Nikons have. Could you elaborate on your comment made about how you feel the D5300 has improved over the D5200? Any impressions of how the low light focusing is compared to earlier models? And, any concerns with noise, given how many megapixels they’ve packed onto the APSC sensor? Thanks!
The 5200 had a lot of noise. Didn’t see that here. Didn’t test very low light. Just sunsets. Which held up well.
I’m just entering the realm of amateur photography and the Nikon cameras have caught my interest. Thanks for these beautiful shots and the review. It helps make the choice easier.
I got this camera for my daughter to take pictures of our grandson. What video mode would you recommend using? What difference does it make a difference to shoot at the full 60 frames/sec rather than an 30 which is closer to television? Thanks for your assistance with this and your regular sharing of helpful information
60 is only for slow motion effects. Shoot 30 or 24.
For video… if you are very inexperienced, auto. Best control, manual. Pick up book Snapshots to Great Shots DSLR Video.
Thanks
Richard, I’ve owned and used a slew of Nikon’s smaller DSLRs, most recently the D5100. I recently switched to Canon for faster focusing, but am missing the better exposure metering and dynamic range i felt the Nikons have. Could you elaborate on your comment made about how you feel the D5300 has improved over the D5200? Any impressions of how the low light focusing is compared to earlier models? And, any concerns with noise, given how many megapixels they’ve packed onto the APSC sensor? Thanks!
The 5200 had a lot of noise. Didn’t see that here. Didn’t test very low light. Just sunsets. Which held up well.
What difference does it make a difference to shoot at the full 60 frames/sec rather than an 30 which is closer to television? Thanks for your assistance with this and your regular sharing of helpful information
60 is for slow motion and over cranked effects.
Reblogged this on Photomontage: Life in Progress and commented:
Nikon mini review