77 replies to this topic

[alden]

I'm scraping up around $1K for a second body, an upgrade for my D80, which I love, but will become my "second" camera, or backup.

 

I'm having a hard time deciding between the D5300 and the D7100. It would be nice to have a little scratch left over for another lens too, but the body is the first priority right now. 

 

Help a brother out. Which would you pick and why?

[greenwing]

I'd probably go for the D7100, for the second command dial and a few other handy features. The D5300 is a step down (in some ways) from your D80.

[alden]

I'd probably go for the D7100, for the second command dial and a few other handy features. The D5300 is a step down (in some ways) from your D80.

 

Really? In what ways?

[greenwing]

Really? In what ways?

You could look it up for yourself. Start with the absence of the front dial, no built in commander flash would rule it out for me.

[alden]

You could look it up for yourself. Start with the absence of the front dial, no built in commander flash would rule it out for me.

 

Oh yes, I could look it all up for myself. I'm interested in what you think, though.

 

With that attitude though, maybe not. 

[alden]

So, no one is voting in my poll. 

 

I'm guessing it's a no brainer, and the D7100 is the clear leader. 

[Rontography]

So, no one is voting in my poll.

Sorry. I'm currently trying to acquire the funds for a D7100 to upgrade from a D90. Haven't even considered the 5300.

[alden]

Sorry. I'm currently trying to acquire the funds for a D7100 to upgrade from a D90. Haven't even considered the 5300.

 

I'm going in this direction too.

[iNYONi]

I just recently upgraded from a 3100 to the 7100. It's a great camera, has plenty to keep me growing as a photographer and the extra dials and features are great too. With the ability to customise the buttons and dials it's a very user friendly camera.

To date i havent had any issues and the pictures I've taken have been very pleasing. Overall i would suggest going for the 7100.

 

keep me posted with your final decision.

[Afterimage]

I'd say move up to the D7100. The built in motor, higher number of AF points, faster FPS make it worth the extra money. If you can hang in for a few weeks there should be some nice holiday rebates coming.

[alden]

I'd say move up to the D7100. The built in motor, higher number of AF points, faster FPS make it worth the extra money. If you can hang in for a few weeks there should be some nice holiday rebates coming.

 

Thanks. I found a refurb for $100 less, which is usually about the same as a holiday rebate, so I'm thinking about going for it. 

[Daniel]

The only thing that the D80 has over the D5300 is the built in focus motor in the body and I think most new lenses don't require you to have a built in focus motor. All AF-S lenses will auto foucus with the D5300. The 5300 has better image quality, higher ISO capabilities. Also the D5300 seems like a fun camera becuase of the built in GPS.

 

The d7100 can shoot faster then the 5300:  6frames vs 5 frames 

D7100 has faster shutter speed:  1/8000 vs 1/4000  

The D7100 is weather sealed and the D5300 is not

 

For these reasons I would go with the D7100

[alden]

The metal chassis and weatherproofing are actually pretty important to me. I want to do more outdoors / woods / swamps photography and I tend to drop stuff a lot these days.

[Daniel]

Thanks. I found a refurb for $100 less, which is usually about the same as a holiday rebate, so I'm thinking about going for it. 

I would look into the warrenty of refurbished cameras, I think that Nikon only gives a 90 day warrenty for there refurbished cameras? Not totally positive though so look into it. Getting a bran new D7100 with the full warrenty might be a better deal.

[Thumper]

Sometimes the vednors will offer their own warranty on refurb's.   The warranty will be through the vendor, not the manufacturer.   

[Tony892]

I voted for the D7100 as a result of the research I carried out before purchasing one recently. I think it is a very subjective response, as depends on what you are looking for. So many factors.

[alden]

Thanks Tony. I agree with you, it is subjective, but I think the D7100 has all the features, and more, that I want. 

[greenwing]

Bet

The only thing that the D80 has over the D5300 is the built in focus motor in the body

 

Wrong. See my post above (that alden found objectionable).Between us, I think we may have found 3 of the 5 most important differences.

[Daniel]

Commander flash is no big deal to me, I use pocket wizards and I own the Nikon d7100 and D800E. The disadvantages of the D80 over the D5300 make me beleive that the D5300 is a move up from the old D80. Check this link out.

 

http://snapsort.com/...00-vs-Nikon_D80

 

But I'm glad he chose the D7100 becuase I think thats a even a bigger step up.

[alden]

http://snapsort.com/...-vs-Nikon-D7100