Nikon D5200, 5300 or 5500???

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Sodaboy

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#168538 17-Mar-2015 15:59

In a bit of a conundrum. I am trying to decide whether I should choose the D5200, D5300 or D5500. Obviously I am a fan of Nikon, though this will be my first DSLR camera. Anybody had any experience with these cameras and has a recommendation?

Cheers.

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#1261159 17-Mar-2015 16:10

I just had a quick look at the comparison on dpreview - they're practically the same camera. High ISO noise will get better with the higher models, little things will be tweaked, but the photos between them will be pretty similar. I'd say get the best one you can afford without any great hardship, keeping in mind you may then went more lenses, a flash, etc.

Inphinity

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#1261272 17-Mar-2015 20:23

If budget is not an issue, the D5500. These are three consecutive generations of the same model.

Stan

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#1261330 17-Mar-2015 21:46

Sodaboy: In a bit of a conundrum. I am trying to decide whether I should choose the D5200, D5300 or D5500. Obviously I am a fan of Nikon, though this will be my first DSLR camera. Anybody had any experience with these cameras and has a recommendation?

Cheers.

D5200 is fine I would personally go with that and spend the extra money on a AF-S Nikkor 35mm F1.8G

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#1261339 17-Mar-2015 22:08

5300 or 5500. they are superior to the 5200.

the only difference between 5500 and 5300 is
- 5500 has touch screen LCD
- but 5300 has GPS

don't get the 5200

Stan

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#1261344 17-Mar-2015 22:14

joker97: 5300 or 5500. they are superior to the 5200.

the only difference between 5500 and 5300 is
- 5500 has touch screen LCD
- but 5300 has GPS

don't get the 5200

Why? Because of the improved image processor? because the sensors are pretty much identical.

Batman

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#1261346 17-Mar-2015 22:26

bcos of the removal of the optical low pass filter - much much sharper, 1080 60p movie (vs i, which is very damn hard to re-encode!!!! - do it wrong and you get mosaic bricks flying around the screen), newer CPU [maybe a gimmick maybe not]

PS EDIT
ok so maybe no game breaker for a beginner eh

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#1261347 17-Mar-2015 22:28

nevertheless i consider superior :D

Fred99

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#1262048 18-Mar-2015 23:03

Presuming that the choice is between D5500 (new) and something used, I'd forgo the D5*00 line entirely, unless you think a tilt LCD is actually useful on a full-sized DSLR (I don't).
I'd be looking for a good used D7100 instead. Much better dslr (pentaprism 100% viewfinder - huge difference to the pentamirror), AF system (CAM 3500 51 point - similar to used in Nikon's pro models) support for screw-driven AF Nikkors and third-party lenses, and AF fine-tune to calibrate the AF system.

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#1262051 18-Mar-2015 23:06

Listen to him :)

I know nothing about Nikons APS-Cs

mattgreen

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#1267977 25-Mar-2015 22:25

Fred99: Presuming that the choice is between D5500 (new) and something used, I'd forgo the D5*00 line entirely, unless you think a tilt LCD is actually useful on a full-sized DSLR (I don't).
I'd be looking for a good used D7100 instead. Much better dslr (pentaprism 100% viewfinder - huge difference to the pentamirror), AF system (CAM 3500 51 point - similar to used in Nikon's pro models) support for screw-driven AF Nikkors and third-party lenses, and AF fine-tune to calibrate the AF system.

This ^^ (except don't even bother with hunting for used)

I've considering a switch to Nikon from Canon rather than an upgrade my 600D to a 70D or second hand 7D so happen to have been researching this lately.

Going by pricespy the D5500 looks to be about the same price as a D7100 (I assume because the D7200 has just come out). Expert Infotech seems to have the D7100 cheaper than a D5500.. Crazy I know!

For virtually the same money the D7100 is a FAR better camera in almost every respect because it's aimed at semi-pro. The only downside I can think of is size/weight.

If money is tight just save yourself $400 and get a D5300. Spend the difference on good glass. That saving almost gets you an AF-S 85mm 1.8/G.

Frankly the image quality of the D5300 and D5500 will be identical so you're paying a massive premium for it being the new shiny model. The D7100 image quality won't be much different either but it's pro features will actually make life so much easier to get the shot i.e. better AF, better viewfinder, depth of field preview (yes D5x00 don't have that all important button), dual SD slots, etc, etc.

timmmay

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#1268040 26-Mar-2015 07:52

mattgreen: I've considering a switch to Nikon from Canon rather than an upgrade my 600D to a 70D or second hand 7D so happen to have been researching this lately.

I did that a couple of years back, it's worked out well for me. 7D/40D/5D to D700 (D750 is awesome).

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mattgreen

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#1268062 26-Mar-2015 08:31

timmmay:
mattgreen: I've considering a switch to Nikon from Canon rather than an upgrade my 600D to a 70D or second hand 7D so happen to have been researching this lately.

I did that a couple of years back, it's worked out well for me. 7D/40D/5D to D700 (D750 is awesome).

The main reason I'm think of switching now is planning for a later upgrade to a D750. I find it hard to believe Canon will pull one out of the bag with the 6D Mark II and who knows when they will release it. Even if they do something amazing it'll probably be out of my budget for at least another 2 years.

The main thing holding me back is knowing I shoukd really spend the money on glass - but then I'm further locked into EF mount.

I really need a better AF system than the 9 point in the 600D to capture my kids. The servo AF is almost useless with only the centre point being a cross type. I lose so many shots because it's so crap. On the other hand the raw 600D image quality is plenty good for my skill level. I thought a second hand 7D would be a good way to go but they're going for $800 on TM.

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#1268069 26-Mar-2015 08:40

The D700 is much better at focusing in general, though needs AF assist when it's really dark. Photographing a bride walking up the aisle in a dark church (ISO3200 1/100th F2.8) is fine with the D700, D750 is no doubt better.

I only use single focus point, occasionally off center but usually center.

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#1268143 26-Mar-2015 09:47

the D750 cannot even be compared to the D700 in terms of autofocus. it's on a different planet.

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#1268144 26-Mar-2015 09:48

if i didn't have all the canon stuff I'd have gotten the D750 (well maybe the D815/820 lol) hands down. but it's not just a sensor that shoots good photographs ... i've come to realise that, and am happy to work with the overrated noisy canon

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