Good camera for the not entirely new novice

Upon reflection, I would like to submit a review because I want to express also to suppliers. I have written a number of Nikon opinions, most recently on the D7100, which I have to replace the D700 bought (yes, full KB format!). The reader can read there, what I think of this model. The D5300 I use mainly as a second housing for video recording. Allow me also to point out differences to higher scheduled D7100, so that a prospective buyer can get an idea what or she is more suitable for him.
Since the Japanese yen has massive losses against the euro and dollar, the cameras are supposed to be much cheaper than they are. So there is still "air" exists.
The D5300 I bought the slightly better kit lens 18-105 / 3.5-5.6 ED VR; the objective is to remain almost always tuned and delivers very good results. Focus very well, chromatic aberrations can be eliminated with NX2 (or almost any other program) with a click on the computer. The vignetting is partially visible at the various focal lengths and Anfangsöffnngen that can be well compensated, as well as the distortion. The coma seems to be well corrected, no abnormalities. Based on Survey covers this lens from a focal length range of from 27 to 155 mm, which is for many tasks quite well. This kit lens - AF-S - is intended that you use the auto focus, because of the distance ring is very narrow and the pitch of the screw is very high. Meant just for beginners. The linear motor operates quietly and quickly, pumps I've seldom found. Built is also an image stabilizer. For the money a good lens. For reasons of economy, the lens has a bayonet mount made of hard plastic, as well as the lens also. Added is a beautiful, huge hood that what makes her (also made of plastic).
Since the D5300 is the second lowest in the hierarchy model of Nikon, had to - or wanted to - a "safety margin" to the higher-value produce housings (Body I do not say that I think about something else, huh). An enumeration exemplifies this: plastic housing, prism for me subjectively smaller than in 7100 and a mirror system, not a glass prism; Eliminating the display on top of the camera; smaller package as a whole and for loggers like the distance handle - lens on the right to be somewhat low, in any case, large paws ever be "driven tightness" in the. Through the narrow grip woman hands are preferred but this falls is the battery smaller and therefore less powerful than that of the 7100, rising by about 40%.
The camera has no built-in AF motor, so that the autofocus works only with AF-S lenses. The others must be focused manually. How sad! When I started about 3 weeks ago with the shooting, there was the Exakta, Praktina, Rolleiflex etc. nothing: aperture, shutter speed and distance settings: everything has been entered manually. This also works, and one had a clue about the matter.
On the back of the case, buttons are not as clearly structured attached such as in 7100 and the larger models. That space reasons: fortunately, the display is rear hinged and can then rotate the display by 180 °. Video cameras, we know the drill. I find this very well and that was one of the reasons for purchase. One can thus make really at ground level photographs (such as fungi in the forest), without having to crawl around on the floor. Our secret mistress, our Lilly, her character a Vizsla dog can be scanned in completely new perspectives, eg. As with big eyes and even bigger nostrils because rejoice grandchildren. As we all know (in slight modification of the famous award an even more famous unfortunately deceased) is a life without Vizsla possible but pointless. The same applies to cameras.
The camera records request in RAW on (= NEF) and / or JPEG, and also the video formats on the only existing memory card are recorded. 7100 has here two storage slots, which allows a better distribution of recordings. One should have a minimum class use -10 cards. The video quality is top, another reason to buy for me: recording at 50 frames / sec, and a cleaner output, on the left narrow side as in 7100 over HDMI ensures really good shots. In the absence of an AA-filter in front of the sensor (also known as low-pass filter) are the recordings and photos exceptionally clean and depending on the lens really good. Moire I have never seen one. The sensor and large parts of the electronics correspond to what is in the 7100. The camera can be controlled remotely via appropriate cable, a tablet then takes over the functions great.
Better resolved than in 7100 is the switch to Live View mode: one then sees what the sensor sees: that's a small lever on the program dial, which is simply drawn, then switches to the camera ready. For customs reasons (non-technical), the recording time is limited in video mode. That is, a scene depending on the selected resolution a given length. Then the camera turns off and you can then pick up the next scene. That's all mirror reflections that.
I have not used the GPS function, I usually know where the picture was taken. For absolute beginners, there is a "automatic function" on the selector wheel, because then the camera does it all alone, and the flash pops up automatically. Various effects are also available, so there is also a HDR function that is however only two images, the yield is therefore manageable, but better than a JPG recording in any case. I usually do since 7 images, Aperture always the same, only the exposure will be adjusted from -3 to +3 light values ​​and then processed in an HDR program. The results are stunning. As you can see, what's with some effort in the modern cameras (and programs). The cherry-picking of individual technical data is so imho a fairly relative thing. The overall impression is crucial and what the person can behind the viewfinder.
Overall, this is a small and handy camera, which is almost completely integrated into the huge Nikon system.
Abnormalities (cons I do not like to say, because there is no really):
- Elimination of the built-in AF motor, so Autofocus only with AF-S lenses;
- Relatively small battery;
- Plastic body, lens bayonet ring made of stainless steel;
- Storing all image data and video sequences on only one card;
- Other battery charger than the D7100 and smaller battery;
- For image control rear display must be opened, it is quite large (the part but down ...
Abnormalities of the other kind (vulgo Positive):
- Small, robust housing made of plastic;
- Image quality as that of the D7100, hence very good since the same sensor without AA filter, even more advanced image processor;
- Hinged rear screen and rotatable and tiltable, display crisp and clear;
- Tripod socket in the optical axis, it does not cover the battery cover;
- Clean HDMI output for video, excellent video quality; Stereo Microphone useful;
- Very wide range of configuration options in the menus (some people criticize the length of which, I do not);
- Camera remotely controllable, control then on the tablet;
- Integration into the huge Nikon system, without lenses AF-S adjust the focus manually.

I do not think that I have listed all relevant here, but those were the points that were for me in several months of dealing with this camera the most remarkable. At home, I now take this mostly small D5300; with the movable display can quickly switch perspectives.

A few more comments on my purchase. I once foraged on the Internet and found a dealer who was slightly cheaper than here and promised fast delivery. That was important for me because I wanted at the time abroad and was sitting on hot coals. To make it short: the supply lasted 2 weeks and not the promised three days, a package tracking has not been possible, I was not there and away the package. Our neighbor had me the whole thing abroad Forward to relatives and since we received the Segelei time, I got the package after 2 months by precisely this relationship, even the tax bill for last year, but that's another matter. My surprise was great when I unpacked the camera: no German manual, the CD with the NX2 program in interesting languages ​​such as Korean, Chinese, and so something similar to Sanskrit ... Sanskrit is indeed a great thing, it is also an Indo-European language and also include our yes to this group. Who knows that Sanskrit has 8 cases for nouns and a dual? Or that the full finite verb can have 743 different shapes? Nobody. But that's another matter. Moreover, it is not so important for the camera. The menu can also German. Me too. So I emailed the trader in amazement, as they say in New Germany, which was the company. Rhino Camera. Supposedly, according imprint in Stuttgart, but in reality in England resident. The answer came very late in a very interesting German, not really understandable. Anyway, he has acted as if he had not understood me. Now I do not see that I get out my ground English from the bottom drawer and the unedifying discussion continued lead in this idiom; The customer determines the language that should slow our English contractors understand (personal opinion). Also notable was that no proper invoice was there. He said the bill form was the confirmation email. Only: it does not exist, I have all emails checked up the time in question, none. For missing German manual - according to Nikon downloads least 330 pages - he said I could get my yes. Now some clever people are saying here: return! How do I know that this man back on has my money? Nobody. Meanwhile I threaten with the Labour Inspectorate, for a correct invoice with St.-Nr. is still not there. Simply the camera was a gray import. A warranty card was missing, apparently would be the (non-existent) statement is proof. I wear the matter now before the Labour Inspectorate.

Let us finally back to the camera. For beginners in SLR camp and in systems like Nikon (and Canon, Sony ...) the device is already quite high. Who just prior to scan the children, grandchildren, the stage of life partner and their successor in more or less interesting positions, can also draw on the small entry-level models (currently D3300). Who is ambitious, "enthusiastic amateur" is or wants to be and wants to work on the photographic plane and the post-processing, which can be accessed safely. It now expects a score. At the time, I had awarded 5 stars for the D7100, I think given the price and the 4 stars is commanded are righteous. It could easily have installed the same battery as the D7100, the handle would have become 5 mm wide. So I can carry around 2 chargers. The abolition of internal AF motor can also be seen critically. Mostly, however, I take pictures without the autofocus, the other about 15 lenses will sometimes be used. The viewfinder prism (or insight) seems to me subjectively smaller than among the D7100, subjective mind.
Whether overall the SLR will claim in the distant future, is not to discuss here, I think that the "mirrorless" on the rise. So we can offer our great-grandchildren still show these cameras ...
Zsammenfassend: highly recommended (not the dealer).