Nikon has continued to push the envelope of what’s possible with DSLRs, by relentlessly taking technologies – especially sensors – from its more expensive models and using them in less expensive versions. The Nikon D5300 is a perfect example. Using the excellent, very sharp, 24MP sensor from the Nikon D7100 and an updated EXPEED 4 processing chip, the Nikon D5300 is likely to make those looking for amazing images in a small package very happy.

GPS & WiFi: Finally!

Finally, Nikon is offering a DSLR with two of the most important value-added features that have been dominant in photo sharing – GPS and WiFi. For those who are used to adding an awkward dongle to do one of both of these, this is certainly a welcome change. With the widespread support of location tagging by most photo sharing sites and by image editing software, it is a nearly essential feature for new cameras that has been late in coming to DSLRs.

The WiFi module seems to mimic the features of the tiny WU-1a dongle, allowing image browsing and remote shutter triggering. It is not as sophisticated as Nikon’s own WT-5a, or some of the third party devices (stay-tuned for my review on an excellent new one of those!)

Will the Nikon D5300 be right for you?

When the Nikon D5300 ships in November, it will retail for $800, significantly less than the Nikon D7100, and it is also smaller and lighter. With the integrated WiFi and GPS, it will even have some features not shared by its bigger sibling (although I’d expect to see them whenever the Nikon D7200 is introduced). The swivel viewfinder is also a plus. I doubt the Nikon D5300 will be quite as rugged as the Nikon D7100, and there could be other user interface quirks that emerge once it ships, but if you’re not tough on your gear and simply want the best images you can in a 1 pound package, it could be ideal.

Full Overview:

The black Nikon D5300 DSLR Camera features a DX-format 24.2 megapixel sensor and EXPEED 4 image processor to produce high-resolution still imagery and full HD video with notable low-light sensitivity to ISO 12800 and a fast continuous shooting rate of 5 fps. The sensor design omits the traditional optical low-pass filter in order to gain the utmost sharpness and resolution from both photos and videos. Complementing the imaging assets are both a versatile 39-point autofocus system, with nine cross-type sensors, and a 2,016-pixel RGB sensor for precise exposure metering in a wide variety of lighting conditions. Additionally, 1920 x 1080p movie recording is supported, in multiple frame rates up to 60 fps, with full-time continuous auto focusing capabilities.
The compact, yet durably designed, camera body incorporates both an optical pentamirror optical viewfinder along with a large 3.2" 1,037k-dot vari-angle LCD monitor, which features a 180° swivel design to better support working from high and low angles. Also integrated into the D5300 are both Wi-Fi and GPS modules, which enable advanced image sharing capabilities as well as location-based image tagging. When paired with an Android or iOS mobile device, remote viewing and control over the shutter release is possible from a distance and a vast network of pre-populated Points of Interest adds to the overall geotagging functionality.
For creatively enhancing the look and feel of imagery in-camera, a wide range of Picture Control modes, Scene Modes, and Special Effects modes are available as well as a host of in-camera image editing capabilities for adjusting settings prior to sharing. Built-in HDR and Active D-Lighting modes can also be used to optimize exposure results by preserving highlight and shadow details for an extended range of apparent tones.

24.2MP DX-Format Sensor and EXPEED 4 Processor

The 24.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 4 processor work together to produce overall high image quality with notable detail, dynamic range, color accuracy, and low-light sensitivity to a native ISO 12800, which is further expandable to ISO 25600. Additionally, the sensor's design omits an optical low-pass filter in order to acquire the greatest amount sharpness and detail from subjects. The EXPEED 4 processor also enables a wealth of speed throughout the camera system, including support for full HD 1080p movie recording and a full-resolution continuous shooting rate of 5 fps.

Multi-CAM 4800DX Autofocus Sensor

Benefitting the high image quality is an apt AF system that employs 39 distinct AF points, including nine cross-type sensors, to quickly acquire focus in a range of lighting conditions, from -1 to +19 EV. A unique 3D-tracking mode utilizes the 2,016-pixel RGB sensor, typically reserved for exposure metering, in order to maintain sharp focus on moving subjects. To better suit specific subject matter when working in AF-A or AF-C focus modes, Dynamic-area AF mode allows you to choose from 9, 21, or 39-point arrays for enhanced subject tracking and recognition, even if the subject briefly leaves the frame. Single-point AF, 3D-tracking, and Auto-area AF modes are also available.
When working in live view, for either still or movie shooting, a contrast-based AF system is employed to acquire focus precisely and can function in continuous, full-time servo mode to better suit working with moving subjects. Additionally, four AF-area modes are available when working in live view: Face-priority AF, Wide-area AF, Normal-area AF, and Subject-tracking AF.

Wi-Fi and GPS Connectivity

Supporting a wealth of sharing and tagging possibilities, the D5300 features built-in Wi-Fi and GPS modules to enable seamless transferring of imagery as well as geotagging functionality. Once the Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility app has been installed on an Android or iOS mobile device, you can use that device to browse the contents of the memory card, select images, and seamlessly transfer files between devices for immediate sharing online. Additionally, the mobile device can remotely trigger the shutter and display a live view image from the camera to enable working from a distance.
The integrated GPS functionality can be used to assign locational data to all image files for geotagging purposes and for plotting imagery to an interactive map. Points of Interest can also be found using this information to further aid in efficient location-based tagging.

Body Design

Even while maintaining an overall compact form-factor, the D5300 integrates a large 3.2" 1,037k-dot vari-angle LCD monitor, which features a 180° swivel design to better suit working from high, low, and front-facing angles. Alternatively, a bright pentamirror optical viewfinder is also integrated into the design for precise eye-level viewing and real-time monitoring of subjects.
A built-in pop-up flash is also available for additional illumination when working in low-light conditions and supports Nikon's i-TTL flash metering system. A hot shoe can be used, too, for connection and optional external flash for even greater lighting control.

Scene Recognition System and Exposure Metering

The intelligent Scene Recognition System with 3D Color Matrix Metering II utilizes a 2016-pixel RGB sensor to evaluate and analyze all aspects within a scene, including brightness, contrast, subject distance, and the scene colors, to quickly determine an accurate exposure and white balance setting to best render the scene at hand. The information gathered is also checked against onboard reference images to ensure consistency from image to image in regard to exposure, white balance, i-TTL flash settings, and subject-tracking AF performance.

Full HD Movie Recording

Full HD 1920 x 1080p movie recording is supported in 60, 30, 25, and 24 fps frame rates, as well as HD 720p and SD 480p in multiple frame rates, in the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format. During recording, full-time autofocus can be employed, with face-detection and subject-tracking capabilities, for ensured sharpness with a wide variety of subject types.
A built-in stereo microphone can be used to record high-quality sound or, alternatively, a microphone input is integrated into the body design to support the use of an external microphone for enhanced control over audio recordings.

Other Camera Features

• Picture Control modes can be directly accessed via a dedicated button and allow you to set predefined looks to imagery in-camera, and include Landscape, Monochrome, Neutral, Portrait, Standard, Vivid, and user-customizable settings.
• RAW (NEF) files can be recorded as lossless compressed or compressed at either 12 or 14-bit depth.
• Built-in HDR works to extend the tonal and exposure range of a single image by recording two separate exposures and blending them together in order to gain greater highlight and shadow details with an extended range of mid-tones.
• Active D-Lighting helps to preserve both highlight and shadow details when working in contrast-rich scenarios, such as backlit lighting. Utilizing the EXPEED 4 processor's power, a more controlled image will be produced with brightness values closer to how they are naturally seen. This mode is suitable for working with moving subjects.
• Scene Auto Selector is an automatic mode that intelligently identifies your subject and shooting scenario, selects a proper Scene Mode to apply, and adjusts exposure settings to best render the scene at hand.
• Scene Modes: Autumn Colors, Beach / Snow, Blossom, Candlelight, Child, Close-up, Dusk / Dawn, Food, Landscape, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party / Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Sports, and Sunset.
• Special Effects Modes: Night vision, Color sketch, Toy camera, Miniature effect, Selective color, Silhouette, High key, Low key, and HDR painting.
• In-Camera Image Editing Features: Color Balance, Color Outline, Color Sketch, D-Lighting, Edit Movie, Filter Effects, Fisheye, Image Overlay, Miniature Effect, Monochrome, NEF (RAW) Processing, Perspective Control, Quick retouch, Red-Eye Correction, Resize, Selective Color, Side-by-Side Comparison, Straighten, and Trim.
• Language Support: Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Tamil.

Specifications

Camera Type
Digital SLR with Interchangeable lenses

Lens Mount
Nikon F

Camera Format
DX / (1.5x Crop Factor)

Pixels
Actual: 24.78 Megapixel
Effective: 24.2 Megapixel

Max Resolution
24MP: 6000 x 4000 @ 3:2

Other Resolutions
13.5MP: 4496 x 3000 @ 3:2
6MP: 2992 x 2000 @ 3:2

Aspect Ratio
3:2

Sensor Type / Size
CMOS, 23.5 x 15.6 mm

File Formats
Still Images: JPEG, RAW
Movies: MOV, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Audio: Linear PCM

Bit Depth
14-bit

Dust Reduction System
Yes

Noise Reduction
Yes

Memory Card Type
SD
SDHC
SDXC

Focus Control

Focus Type
Auto & Manual

Focus Mode
Single-servo AF (S), Continuous-servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M)

Autofocus Points
Phase Detection: 39

Viewfinder/Display

Viewfinder Type
Pentamirror

Viewfinder Coverage
95%

Viewfinder Magnification
Approx. 0.82x

Diopter Adjustment
- 1.7 to +1 m

Display Screen
3.2" Rear Screen Swivel  LCD (1,037,000)

Screen Coverage
100%

Angle of View
170.0°

Live View
Yes

Exposure Control

ISO Sensitivity
Auto, 100-12800 (Extended Mode: 100-25600)

Shutter
Type: Electronic & Mechanical
Speed: 30 - 1/4000 sec, Bulb Mode

Remote Control
MC-DC2 (Optional)

Mirror Lock-Up
Yes

Metering Method
3D Color Matrix Metering, Center-weighted average metering, Spot metering

Exposure Modes
Modes: Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Programmed Auto, Scene Modes, Shutter Priority
Metering Range: EV 0.0 - EV 20.0
Compensation: -5 EV to +5 EV (in .3 or .5 EV steps)

White Balance Modes
Auto, Cloudy, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual, Shade

Flash

Flash Modes
Modes: Auto
Auto/Red-eye Reduction
Fill-in
Off
Rear Curtain/Slow Sync
Rear Sync
Red-eye Reduction
Slow Sync
Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction
Compensation: -3 EV to +1 EV (in .3 or .5 EV steps)

Built-in Flash
Yes

Guide No.
42.65' (13 m) ISO100

Max Sync Speed
1 / 200 sec

Flash Compensation
-3 EV to +1 EV (in .3 or .5 EV steps)

Dedicated Flash System
iTTL

External Flash Connection
Hot Shoe

AV Recording

Video Recording
Yes

File Size
1920 x 1080p (Full HD)
1280 x 720p (HD)
640 x 424p (SD)

Aspect Ratio
16:9

Frame Rate
@ 1920 x 1080: 60 fps, 50 fps, 30 fps, 25 fps, 24 fps
@ 1280 x 720: 60 fps, 50 fps
@ 640 x 424: 30 fps, 25 fps

Exposure Control
Auto
Manual

Focus
Auto
Manual
Continuous Auto

Continuous Shooting Time
1920 x 1080
@ 60 fps: 20 min.
@ 30 fps: 29 min.

Audio Recording
Built-in Mic: With Video, Stereo,
Optional External Mic: With Video,

Performance

Continuous Shooting
Up to 5 fps

Self Timer
2 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 20 sec
Number of Shots: 1-9

Interval Recording
Yes

In-Camera Image Editing
Color Balance, Color Outline, Color Sketch, D-Lighting, Edit Movie, Filter Effects, Fisheye, Image Overlay, Miniature Effect, Monochrome, NEF (RAW) Processing, Perspective Control, Quick Retouch, Red-eye Correction, Resize Image, Selective Color, Side-by-Side Comparison, Straighten, Trim

Connectivity
1/8" Microphone, AV Output, HDMI C (Mini), USB 2.0

Wi-Fi Capable
Yes

Power

Battery
1x EN-EL14  Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 7.4VDC, 1030mAh

AC Power Adapter
EH-5b (Optional)

Operating/Storage Temperature
Operating
32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)

Physical

Dimensions (WxHxD)
4.9 x 3.9 x 3.0" / 125.0 x 98.0 x 76.0 mm

Weight
1.06 lb / 480  g body only