Buyer's remorse D5300

sraz

Senior Member
Ok,

let start with that i am new in camera world.
Until now i used mostly phone cameras. They are practical - all ways in pocket, ok pictures (galaxy S5).

Friend of mine gave me Some Canon UZ. Pictures was worse than with phone, but i get hooked on manual controls and so i decided to get decent camera. I wanted mirror less, but what i saw on reviews was slow and with no great low light capability. So i decided DSLR - deciding between D5300 and Canon T5i, decided D5300 because image quality and size (smaller and lighter with 18-55 VRII) and low light, high iso capatibility... and i am very pleased with quality, not so with controls. Learning, reading a lot of topic in this forum, planing to get 35mm 1.8.....
I find it not so good for take it with me and having it around my neck in street photography. Ok, i thought that is compromise what have to be done.

But then i stumbled on Sony a6000. It have almost all goods from D5300 and compact size... :(
Didnt try it, but controls seems better and its so much smaller.

Did i make a bad decision?
 

traceyjj

Senior Member
Give your D5300 a chance. I had a previous version, and loved it. The controls take time to get used to... so give it time.

You ought to try the Sony before you buy it. It might not fit comfortably in your hands... the controls might take even more time to get used to.

Just my opinion, and possibly not a very good one either :D
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Ok,

let start with that i am new in camera world.
Until now i used mostly phone cameras. They are practical - all ways in pocket, ok pictures (galaxy S5).

Friend of mine gave me Some Canon UZ. Pictures was worse than with phone, but i get hooked on manual controls and so i decided to get decent camera. I wanted mirror less, but what i saw on reviews was slow and with no great low light capability. So i decided DSLR - deciding between D5300 and Canon T5i, decided D5300 because image quality and size (smaller and lighter with 18-55 VRII) and low light, high iso capatibility... and i am very pleased with quality, not so with controls. Learning, reading a lot of topic in this forum, planing to get 35mm 1.8.....
I find it not so good for take it with me and having it around my neck in street photography. Ok, i thought that is compromise what have to be done.

But then i stumbled on Sony a6000. It have almost all goods from D5300 and compact size... :(
Didnt try it, but controls seems better and its so much smaller.

Did i make a bad decision?
I think this is a very personal decision sort of thing. The Sony is a very capable mirror-less format camera while the D5300 is an equally capable DSLR. If size and weight are your primary concerns then I'd have to say it's pretty hard to argue with the Sony. I'm not sure what it is about the controls of the D5300 you're not liking, but I might suggest instead of using a neck-strap you consider a wrist strap or a sling strap instead. Neck straps are just evil. Also, getting into cameras as capable as the D5300 and the Sony A6000 also bring with them a learning curve that is pretty steep. I don't know how familiar you are with your photography in general but since you already have your D5300 maybe you just need some time to get used to how it operates and get comfortable with it? Only you can answer that... But if you know, already, in your heart what you want is the A6000 then I suggest you get a refund (assuming you can) on your D5300 and get what you know you really want. It sucks thinking you "settled" for something less than what you really want.

....
 

Deleted

Senior Member
I'd certainly agree with the wrist strap. I bought a Black Rapid wrist strap for my new DSLR & it would make you much less visible as a photographer when roaming the streets. :)
 

Jeff Hardwick

New member
I have been using the D5300 for a couple of months now having upgraded from the D5100. In its class the 5300 is almost unbeatable having only the 7100 as competition.
I am delighted with my 5300 it does everything I need it to do with excellent image quality.
 

sraz

Senior Member
Thanks all.
There is no many option for try cameras here. They are selling old ones at price of new ones and no a6000.
I did get D5300 + 18-55 VRII for 560€ ordered from England. So return is not an option.
I can probably sell at same price or slight loss if i want to and pour a little more money for Sony.

So, basically what i don't like in controls - auto iso not in dial, diging for options into menu instead multirow. Also, dial dont work in that menu.

Two anoyance are - aperture locked until shot/livemode in /out (sometime it won't auto focus). And clicky that noised 4 way pointer. Don't get it why a hell did they do that. Does D7100 or D810 have same?

Overall i like it, image quality is great and it would be better with 35mm prime, i am sure. live view so so, but articulating screen is superb.

I find OVF big disappointment - don't know, maybe its my big nose and eyes, but its so small, so positioning is crucial, and often i don't see all image and reposting face, moving little bit here and there to see a little dot for focus confirmation .. very uncomfortable.

But when i went outside, that thing dangle around my neck. Don't fell like, i am going into shoping and say to myself "let take dslr with me...." That is my main concern.

Yeah, that strap is good things.. :) gota get one if i hod on d5300.
@Don Kuykendall Why do you think so?
From quick comparison, Battery life is obvious gonna be better with OVF and i like D5300 side articulating display D5300 more. But, auto focus seem great on a6000 if we can trust reviewers.
 

Deleted

Senior Member
The D810 would remove all the annoyances that you mentioned. It is a very accomplished camera. A full frame camera would give you a larger viewfinder display & in the D810 live view works a little better. Not sure what you mean about the 4-way pointer. You think it's too noisy?

However you seem to want Pro camera features, but want the camera to be small & light? The D810 is larger & heavier than the D5300.
 

garp65

New member
My advice would be to stick with it and not make hasty decisions. For your first off phone camera the D5300 is an excellent choice for image quality. I have a D7000 and am still learning the cameras capabilities after 2 years! The 35 f1.8 is a great lens for walk about shooting, small sharp and fast. Depending on what you want to shoot (for landscapes I prefer to go ultra wide). Anyway what I'm trying to say is you'll know a lot more and will make a much more informed decision in 12 months time when you've defined your chosen subject matter and style. The D5300 will still have good residual value as well.


Paul
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I have a D5300 also. I have had it for a few months now. It is definitely not a Point & Shoot Camera (I guess it can be in Auto Mode), but I got it to have pretty much full capabilities. I have been mostly shooting in A (aperture) and S (shutter) modes. There are a LOT of settings that can still be changed and at times I forget some when shooting like the ISO value (I guess too many years shooting film and having to use whatever ISO the film rating was). The controls are not second nature at finding yet either, but are getting better the more I shoot. I think you have to get through the same type of learning curve you do for anything such as driving a car, flying a plane, etc. Learn where the controls are and what they do through practice. As to carrying it around. Yes I believe it is the nature of the beast. When I go places, I keep mine in the camera bag in the vehicle. If I see something that looks interesting, I stop and go for it. Most of my walk-a-rounds are in the country (for me that means desert), so it gets somewhat uncomfortable swinging around on the neck strap, but I will probably be braiding something to change that in the future. Ha! I think you, like me, have to just give it a chance. As a side note, I have a Canon PowerShot A520 that has served me well for a point and shoot camera. I have been tempted a few times to throw it in for a trip because of it's compact size and weight, but have forced myself to take the D5300 for the advantages it has. I feel the advantages and superior quality of shots far outweigh the disadvantages of size and weight. After a while, I guess you (and I) will be known in your circle of friends as the guy that always carries his camera. HA!
 
Last edited:

sraz

Senior Member
@Gorf

4 way dial with ok inside. Its clicky and loud. So loud i would not use it in some quiet places with people around me. Its probably not same as on higer and model.

Today i was in some new shop here so i handled d5100 and d5200.
I found that my d5300 is much refined.
Also for first time i tryed 700D and im suprised that it have cheap felling, and also much larger than d5300. Not worth getting it for tuchscreen:p


So generally im am pleased with my D5300.
Didn't have any mirrorles to try.

I did put it in our site like ebay, but with 100$ profit so if it go for that price, ok, if not, ok too :)

Two concern what i have.
Mirrorless is probably future so is there chance APS-C mirrors from Nikon would with adapter could use lenses from AF-S?
And as pixelpeeper, should i be concern with no microfocus adjustment with let say 35mm 1.8 lenses? I like it sharp. (mirrorles dont have that problem, as i know)

@cwgrizz Same here. I am pleased with a Nikon, but size is little concern. I didn't want P'n'S and was sure that for same price mirrorless cannot compete in most things with DSLR, but then i stumbled on that Sony a6000 with quick autofocus, and almost same IQ (probably better than Canon's offers in DSLR in that price...) and almost half a weight and size. Almost pocketable.

I will probably do what garp65 (Paul) suggested - stick with D5300 and after year or so i should what i need and what to do. Its reasonable thing. (this thing cost almost my monthly and half wage :/ )

Some point and shoot photo... cat refused to pose :p
Also excuse his eyes. He has allergy :(

DSC_0612.jpg
 

alex6speed

Senior Member
Get the Nikon 35 prime. It will make you feel better about your choice....
THIS highly! I'm saving up for that in the hopes I can get it before I go to Disneyland for my daughter's BDay, though I doubt I'll be able to make it.

As for Sraz, I'm glad you found some comfort in the D5300. Like you, I was a novice in the DSLR realm (and in all honesty, still am). I had the options of the 7100 and 3300, along with the 5300. After a ton of researching and video watching, I took up the D5300 because it really was the split in the middle. It took alot of time, but once you get M mode down (I use Auto ISO to make it a little point and shoot-ie), you'll notice how great this camera is. Pair it with an awesome lens (as how hrstrat mentioned), and you'll forget about that Sony! :D
 

sraz

Senior Member
I decided to stay with Nikon. Had some offer to sell 50$ more than i paid for it, but decided against. Also somehow i feel that Sony will lose on resale value quickly than Nikon.
I accepted that i will use camera when i travel, or with dedicted shooting outing.

With that in mind, its time for new zoom lenses. Budget is low, so what i have in mind is 55-300 VR. But i can get Tamron 70-300 VC.

Its cons are - larger , heavier and i lose 55-70 range. But if it really have better IQ, what more important sharper images across the range, maybe is better choice.

What do you say?
 

JackStalk

Senior Member
The higher model cameras(7x00 and FF) are easier to shoot in manual mode than the d3x00 and d5x00 models. The D7000 starts with two dials for aperture and shutter speed, with a split ISO button that works on the shutter speed wheel. Once I started shooting in manual exposure, I couldnt stand using my D3200 in anything but AUTO mode because all of the settings are in the menus and a PITA to mess around with. The 5300/3300 are better regarded as consumer cameras because most people who buy they are just shooting them in full auto mode to photograph for fun. If you want to shoot in manual exposure a lot, I'd recommend getting one of the other bodies (7100/90/300S)
 
Top