The primary reason for me to upgrade from Nikon's D5100 to
D5300 was new GPS location recording function. A secondary reason was hoping a sharper image
without the low pass filter. With limited use so far, I would not say D5300 is
a must have upgrade from D5100.
Pro:
- It is slightly lighter than D5100. I like it but others may not.
- LCD screen is bigger than D5100.
- There is an added single/continues/self-timer selection button. Although the button position could be better, but it is still better than D5100 has go through quick menu to change it.
- The image may be marginally sharper using Nikon 18-200 zoom lens, but because the sensor has different pixel counts, it is hard to say for sure without spend some effort look into it. But then again, if one needs to look so hard to find the difference. it shows the differences are really small.
- It uses the same EN-EL 14 battery as the D5100. This means I can keep my spare batteries.
Con:
- When I first got the D5300 three days after it was released, the GPS's performance is just awful! Then there was talk about update the camera's GPS file. With the update, the GPS function improved significant but still some what inconsistent with lock on time varies between 10s to 1min. on exactly the same location. I was also surprised to find out the update is only good for between 11/22-12/06 and it requires update every two weeks! First, if this is required Nikon should have put it in clearly in the manual but they did not. Second, Nikon should made to update available on day one. but the 11/22 starting days is also fours days after I got the camera. More importantly, since the camera has the Wi-Fi function and Nikon has the utility, they should have implement auto update with the utility instead of requiring user to manually update it every two weeks!!
- D5300 added AF assist lamp from D5100. While this may be good for some cases, it is inappropriate for others. The way Nikon implement it is not very flexible. The default setting is have the lamp on all the time for Auto and PASM mode with some pre-programmed scene modes will disable it. The only way for user to turn it on/off for PASM is to go through custom setting menu and it applied to all modes. One cannot program PASM differently that made this function less useful or even annoying.
Indifference:
I will update this review after Thanksgiving holidays when I have chance to use D5300 more extensively.
- Wi-Fi function may be desirable for some but I have no need for it. Had the Wi-Fi function was important to me, I would put this in the "Con" column! To setup Wi-Fi it require the router to support WPS, either push button or pin. It does not allow manual setup method. Not all routers or devices support WPS nor the WPS compatibility is universal!
I will update this review after Thanksgiving holidays when I have chance to use D5300 more extensively.
