The best Nikon D5300 prices and deals

The best Nikon D5300 deals

Scroll down for the best Nikon D5300 deals 

The Nikon D5300 is ideal for anyone new to photography who wants the option to swap lenses and get creative.

In a break from convention, the camera comes in glossy red or a gun-metal grey, alongside the standard black. Also unusual is the single shell construction – known as ‘monocoque’ – manufactured from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic.

On launch, this was also Nikon’s first consumer-level DSLR to offer Wi-Fi, with a dedicated ‘i’ button provided for its implementation. Add to this a decent 24.2MP resolution from an APS-C format sensor, plus a tilting LCD screen that's a slightly larger-than-average 3.2inches in size, and it appears as a solid entry-level choice. The D5300 also has a built-in GPS unit, which is something of a rarity, and is one of the best cameras with GPS

In terms of suitability for low-light photography, the D5300 offers a core ISO range that can be boosted from ISO 12,800 to a setting equivalent to ISO 25,600, while Full HD video recorded with stereo sound recording should be more than enough for everyday use.

Due to the on/off switch ergonomically encircling the shutter release button, we were able to start shooting with this DSLR quickly. Though layout is a little busy, the shooting mode dial is the size of a ten pence piece and itself handily surrounded by a lever for activating Live View mode. As we’d expect, shooting options accessible at the flick of a thumb here include Program, Shutter priority, Aperture priority or full Manual control, although you can set it to Auto if you want the camera to make all the decisions.

Battery life is rated to a respectable 600 shots from a full charge of the battery, and as far a picture quality goes, you couldn’t hope for better from an entry-level DSLR. Though default color settings can appear a little neutral on occasion, these can be boosted with a Vivid setting. The fact that the LCD monitor can be swung outwards from the body as well as turned to face the subject is a further boon – particularly if selfies are your thing.

Though in many respects this DSLR is more of the same for its manufacturer, the high pixel count, flexible LCD, eye-level optical viewfinder and Wi-Fi means it has much to recommend it. If you like the sound of the D5300 you may also want to check out the more recent Nikon D5500 and current D5600.

Nikon D5300 Key Spec

This budget buy provides enough growing room for those just getting started

Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C | Megapixels: 24.2MP | Lens mount: Nikon F | Monitor: 3.2in vari-angle touchscreen, 1,037,000 dots | Viewfinder: Optical | Continuous shooting: 5fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner

Excellent AF system
Great sensor with no low-pass filter
Slower AF in live view
Not the newest camera

Read more:
The best cameras under $500 / £500

The best Nikon lenses

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Sebastian Oakley
Ecommerce Editor

For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.


He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing.  He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association. 


He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.