Nikon D5300 Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview evaluation of the Nikon D5300 highlights its 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor (lacking an anti-aliasing filter) for delivering exceptional image quality, high-resolution detail, and strong low-light performance similar to higher-end models. Key advantages include a fully articulated 3.2-inch LCD, uncropped 1080/60p video, and integrated Wi-Fi/GPS functionality, coupled with a reliable 39-point autofocus system for optical viewfinder shooting. Limitations identified in the review focus on the interface and operational speed, including a single command dial, lack of a touchscreen, and no headphone jack for audio. Furthermore, the camera suffers from a small buffer for continuous shooting and a clunky live-view experience, paired with a limited smartphone application for remote control.

The PCMag review highlights the Nikon D5300 as a highly capable entry-level DSLR, earning an Editors’ Choice award for its excellent image quality, 24MP sensor, and fast autofocus system. It features an articulated LCD, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, and supports 1080p 60fps video with a mic input. Conversely, the camera lacks a screw-drive motor for older lenses and features a single control wheel, slowing manual adjustments. Other limitations include a less bright pentamirror viewfinder, noisy high-ISO JPGs, and a functional but limited, clunky wireless app.

The Nikon D5300 is an entry-level DSLR aimed at photographers looking to take their craft more seriously, offering a notable feature upgrade over lower-tier models like the D3300. It is equipped with a high-performing 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor that lacks an anti-aliasing filter to maximize detail capture. Powered by the EXPEED 4 processing engine, the camera provides enhanced image quality and superior noise control at high sensitivity settings. Key physical upgrades include an expanded, high-resolution 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD screen boasting 1,037,000 dots, alongside a 39-point AF system to assist with creative framing. It also introduces built-in Wi-Fi and GPS technology for seamless image sharing and location geotagging, powered by an upgraded EN-EL14a battery that extends life to 600 shots. Additionally, video capabilities are expanded to support Full HD capture at up to 60p and 50p frame rates. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons regarding the camera's overall usability and performance. On the positive side, the D5300 features a great performing sensor with no anti-aliasing filter, the powerful EXPEED 4 processor, a sharp high-res vari-angle screen, and built-in Wi-Fi...

Ken Rockwell’s review highlights the Nikon D5300 as an exceptionally lightweight and capable 24.2-megapixel DSLR, offering superior image quality and faster performance than many professional models in a budget-friendly, compact package. Key advantages include built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, a swiveling screen, and a quiet, ergonomic design designed for daily carry and relaxed shooting. Conversely, the review notes constraints such as the lack of a dedicated physical focus mode switch, forcing menu navigation, alongside a persistent, frustrating firmware bug where Auto ISO remains active even in Manual mode. While praising its performance, Rockwell recommends that only those requiring extreme physical durability for intense abuse should invest in higher-end, bulkier models.

The Nikon D5300 earns an 8.1 out of 10 score and an Editors' Choice Award as an excellent, general-purpose dSLR. As the least expensive camera of its time to remove the optical low-pass filter (OLPF), it produces exceptionally sharp 24.2-megapixel images with rich color reproduction and great high-ISO low-light performance up to ISO 1600 and 3200. Upgraded with an Expeed image processor, it adds 1080/60p video capture with minimal artifacts, an expanded sensitivity range, and significantly longer battery life rated at 700 shots. It is physically lighter and more compact than its predecessor, featuring built-in Wi-Fi and GPS logging, an articulated 3.2-inch high-resolution LCD screen, and a more versatile 18-140mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens. Despite its high quality, the reviewer noted several drawbacks, including sluggish Live View autofocus performance and a wide-area default AF box that often leads to incorrectly focused shots. The default settings are also disappointing, as the camera ships with 12-bit raw format and defaults to an annoying lossy 1:4 Normal JPEG compression and auto-resetting file names. Additionally, the 2,016-pixel matrix metering system tends to underexpose images to...

The Nikon D5300 is a mid-range DSLR featuring a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and an upgraded image processor designed to compete in a rapidly evolving camera market. On the positive side, it delivers excellent raw stills and high-quality 1080p video with far lower moiré and aliasing issues than contemporary Canon Rebels. Its low-light performance is highly impressive, maintaining rich colours at ISO 1600 and 3200 with minimal noise. Filmmakers benefit from its 1080/60p capabilities for slow-motion editing, a reliable 38Mbit variable bitrate codec, PAL/NTSC switching, and a bright, 3.2-inch fully articulated LCD screen that is critical for tripod usage. Conversely, the reviewer argues that the camera feels antiquated and represents the end of the DSLR filmmaking era when compared to mirrorless innovations. Major physical and functional cons include a cheap, plasticky build, subpar ergonomics, an extremely slow live-view autofocus, and a highly restrictive lens mount that cannot drive older AF-D or pre-AI lenses. For video work, it frustratingly lacks a dedicated movie mode on the mode dial, offers no headphone jack, contains a hissy microphone input, and cannot change the lens...

The What Digital Camera review awards the Nikon D5300 a 91% score, highlighting its 24.2-megapixel sensor for exceptional image detail and a robust 39-point autofocus system. Key advantages include built-in Wi-Fi, excellent build quality, and an intuitive user interface, making it a strong choice for enthusiasts. Conversely, the review identifies the lack of a touchscreen, slow Live View autofocus, and the noisy, sluggish performance of the 18-55mm kit lens as significant drawbacks. Other limitations include the lack of a secondary command dial and poor app performance, though it remains highly rated overall.

The Nikon D5300 is a highly balanced, entry-level DSLR that remains remarkably relevant due to its impressive portability and excellent image quality. A key advantage is its compact, lightweight design, which matches the size of newer mirrorless options like the Nikon Z50 II while maintaining a superior DSLR battery life. Photographers will benefit from a fully articulating screen that makes shooting low angles comfortable, alongside a fast, intuitive quick menu for seamless settings adjustments. In terms of performance, its 24-megapixel sensor delivers strong dynamic range, allowing for heavy shadow and highlight manipulation without relying on exposure bracketing. Furthermore, the lack of auto-exposure simulation and the inclusion of 39 autofocus points force users to master manual exposure control and traditional focusing, keeping them "honest" to the photographic process. Despite these strengths, the camera's age introduces clear limitations, particularly concerning its autofocus capabilities. The contrast-based autofocus in live view is notably slow, lagging behind competitors like the Canon 80D, which can heavily restrict tracking capability during active shooting. Its ergonomics may also pose a challenge, as the small grip configuration feels less...

The ⁠ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon D5300 as a feature-packed, upper-entry-level DSLR featuring a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor without an optical low-pass filter for high-resolution images, plus built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. Key pros include the sharp image output, a 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD, a 39-point autofocus system, and Full HD 60p video recording. YouTube · Conversely, cons include the lack of a touchscreen, a single control wheel limiting handling speed, and the omission of a headphone jack for audio monitoring. Additionally, the optical viewfinder is relatively small compared to higher-end alternatives. YouTube

Nikon D5300 Review Summary The Nikon D5300 is a versatile 24.2MP APS-C DSLR that delivers excellent image quality, earning top marks for its high resolution (up to 2,750 lines at ISO 100) and exceptionally low noise levels at ISO 800 and below. It stands out as the first Nikon DSLR to offer built-in Wi-Fi, allowing users to seamlessly transfer varying image sizes to a smartphone via the Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility app. Further physical advantages include a solid, ergonomic grip and an articulating 3.2-inch, 1.04-million-dot tilt/swivel LCD screen that provides immense flexibility for framing shots and jumping into 1080p60 HD video capture on the fly. However, the camera falls short against competitors like the Canon EOS Rebel T5i in autofocus performance, taking a slower 0.50 seconds to lock focus in bright light and hunting endlessly in very dim environments (EV -2). Noise control also suffers significantly at high ISO settings, hitting unacceptable levels at ISO 6400 and beyond. Additionally, its burst shooting capability drops from a modest 5 fps down to 4 fps when shooting 14-bit RAW files, a restriction...

The What Digital Camera review gives the Nikon D5300 a 91% rating, highlighting its 24.2-megapixel sensor for exceptional image detail, built-in Wi-Fi, and 5fps shooting. Key advantages include solid build quality and quick phase-detection autofocus. Conversely, the camera lacks a touchscreen and headphone jack for monitoring audio. Other downsides mentioned include a slow kit lens and a disappointing companion mobile application.

The Nikon D5300 is a highly capable entry-level DSLR camera that introduces several notable hardware improvements over its predecessor, the D5200. Key specification enhancements include a 24-megapixel CMOS sensor completely stripped of an anti-aliasing (AA) filter, a brand-new EXPEED 4 image processor, and Full HD 1080p video recording at 60p. It also boasts a larger, sharper 3.2-inch, 1 million-dot vari-angle LCD display alongside built-in Wi-Fi and GPS modules. During hands-on evaluation, the camera demonstrated rapid startup times under one second and achieved an exact 5 fps continuous shooting rate, though buffer depth varied inconsistently between 13 and 22 images when capturing RAW files on high-speed memory cards. Side-by-side ISO testing against the D7100 revealed that the D5300 actually holds a slight edge in overall image quality thanks to its updated processor. The camera's performance yields distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on the user's physical needs and technical preferences. On the positive side, the camera delivers best-in-class image quality, rapid autofocussing driven by a robust 39-point AF system (with 9 cross-type points), solid build quality, and the largest articulating screen found...

The Nikon D5300 is a mid-range consumer DSLR that updates its predecessor with a new EXPEED 4 image processor, an updated 24-megapixel sensor with the anti-aliasing (AA) filter removed, and a larger 3.2-inch swivel LCD screen. It is primarily targeted at JPEG shooters and casual users upgrading from older Nikon entry-level bodies, offering 1080p/60 video recording capabilities and refined automatic ISO programs. Crucially, the camera differentiates itself in Nikon's DX lineup by integrating built-in Wi-Fi and GPS modules directly into the body, avoiding the need for cumbersome external accessories. However, it retains a polycarbonate construction that can feel slightly hollow and lacks an internal focus motor, meaning autofocus only works with newer lenses featuring built-in motors (like AF-S or HSM). The review highlights several distinct performance pros and cons for prospective buyers. On the positive side, the camera delivers remarkably good video quality at high bit-rates, snaps snappy focus on moving subjects using a competent 39-point autofocus system, and offers a slight increase in image edge acuity due to the missing AA filter. Conversely, the drawbacks center on a frustratingly...