The Nikon D3300 and the Nikon D5300 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2014 and October 2013. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 24 megapixels. Show Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.  Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3300 and the Nikon D5300? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparisonThe physical size and weight of the Nikon D3300 and the Nikon D5300 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. Both cameras are available in three different colors (black, grey, red). If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3300 and the Nikon D5300 are of equal size. However, the D5300 is markedly heavier (12 percent) than the D3300. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the D3300 nor the D5300 are weather-sealed. The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Nikon Lens Catalog. The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there. The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D3300 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 38 percent) than the D5300, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparisonThe size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider , and richer than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses. Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2. The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 24 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the D3300 and the D5300 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. Moreover, the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves. The Nikon D3300 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The Nikon D5300 offers exactly the same ISO settings. Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras. Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras. Sensor Characteristics # Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution (MP) Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Nikon D3300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.81385822. Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.91338833. Nikon D3500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.41851834. Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.01306845. Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.91192866. Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.01438847. Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.71256838. Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.21131819. Nikon D5200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i24.213.912848410. Sony A5000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.813.010897911. Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.713478012. Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782 Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).
Feature comparisonBeyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D3300 and the D5300 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), as well as the same magnification (0.57x). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon D3300 and Nikon D5300 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. Core Features # Camera Model Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) Control Panel (yes/no) LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) LCD Attach- ment Touch Screen (yes/no) Max Shutter Speed * Max Shutter Flaps * Built-in Flash (yes/no) Built-in Image Stab 1. Nikon D3300optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 2. Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 3. Nikon D3500optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 4. Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 5. Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 6. Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 7. Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n 8. Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n 9. Nikon D5200optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 10. Sony A5000none n3.0 / 461 tilting n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n 11. Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n 12. Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
The D5300 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the D3300 does not have a selfie-screen. The Nikon D5300 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software. Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D3300 and the D5300 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.
Connectivity comparisonFor some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D3300 and Nikon D5300 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer. Input-Output Connections # Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Nikon D3300Ymono / monoY-mini2.0- 2. Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y 3. Nikon D3500Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y 4. Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 5. Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y 6. Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-- 7. Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0- 8. Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0- 9. Nikon D5200Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0--- 10. Sony A5000-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 11. Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 12. Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
It is notable that the D5300 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D3300 does not provide wifi capability. Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the D5300 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data. Both the D3300 and the D5300 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D5300 was replaced by the Nikon D5500, while the D3300 was followed by the Nikon D3400. Further information on the features and operation of the D3300 and D5300 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D3300 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D5300 Manual.
Review summarySo what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon D3300 better than the Nikon D5300 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below. Advantages of the Nikon D3300:
Arguments in favor of the Nikon D5300:
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D5300 is the clear winner of the contest (8 : 3 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one. D3300 03:08 D5300 How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3300 and the Nikon D5300 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop. In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D3300 and the D5300 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. Expert reviewsThis is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice. The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style. Other camera comparisonsDid this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Specifications: Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D5300Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features. |
