camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Actually you are not upgrading. The D300 could have "old technology" but it is a great camera and superior to the D5300. If the D300 is doing what you need from it and doing its job right I do not see any needs to upgrade.
A much better upgrade would be buying a D7000 or D7100. Both of those cameras can be bought today at bargain prices and many of them are being sold refurb by companies like Cameta at a great discount with a one year warranty.
Wanting to buy something new is a common feeling especially if there is plenty of money to burn. I tend to upgrade only when the new camera has features I need in my photography. If that is your case then I would say you are justified to buy a new camera otherwise you are simply burning money.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Nikon does NOT consider a move from a D300 to a D3xxx or D5xxx an upgrade other than from an older really good crop sensor to a newer not as complete crop sensor. The upgrade for the D3xxx in crop is the D7000, D7100, or D7200 if you are staying in the crop sensor. These are the ONLY current crop sensor with a focus motor built into the camera body and that do NOT require a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) in the lens. Nikon has not come out with a direct replacement to the D300 as of yet. Also you might look at the D6xx (D610 in particular as the D600 had some issues).

BebuLamar

That's an update and not an upgrade. The D300 has 2 wheels and focus motor the D5500 has 1 wheel and not focus motor.

bobscho Loc: On The Delaware River

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Exactly... the D3xxx and D5xxx cameras are Nikon's entry level offers into removable lens photography. The D7xxx is Nikons crop sensor offer of semi-pro / pro crop sensor and it has many but not all of the options that are on the D6xx (entry full frame) D7xx (step up full frame) and some of the features of the D8xx and D3 / D4 full frame professional cameras. The D3xx was a crop sensor that Nikon originally replaced (feature wise) with the D7000 when they decided to use the 4 digit numeration to denote crop sensor in the inventory. All are decent cameras but I have used and own both the D7100 and D610 and have used the D800 and D4. The D3 / D4 is amazing for the full frame quality of the camera but in the current lineup I would probably look at the D810 or D750 in the full frame as the D610 is what I would consider entry level full frame and (while very nice) does not have all of the features up the D750 or D810 and probably doesn't really match up to the D800 (either model). Realistically, given the compatibility of lenses and accessories, you can't really go wrong with any of the Nikon DSLRs although the D3xxx and D5xxx are very light duty for professional work.
Canon and others also have some good products, but Canon lens compatibility across the lineup is questionable at best (though they have made serious improvement over the last couple of years). The mirrorless offers from Nikon and to a lessor degree Canon and others are interesting but questionable at the current time. Nikon though (and I don't know about Canon and others) does have an adapter for their Nikon 1 allowing the user to use Nikon DSLR lenses which makes it interesting as an additional body for some work. Also it (because of the crop factor of 2.7 vs the 1.5 of a DX) makes it an interesting play toy with the DSLR lens adapter for Nikon's long DSLR lenses. (We played with the Nikon 1 with the lens adapter and a Nikon 800mm lens with the 1.25 teleconvertor making it a 1000mm and then the 2.7 crop on that making the lens a 2700mm lens was interesting on a tripod but not really usable for anything serious unless you like looking into apartment bedroom windows 10 miles away.. lol If I was looking for an additional camera body, I would probably look at the Nikon Point and shoot all weather and good to 100 feet of water camera for an additional camera. Since I am retired from Nikon, I have limited knowledge of the other manufacturers offerings so my views are slightly skewed.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I am currently considering a Nikon DSLR, and specifically, either the D5500 and the D7200. While the D5500 seems to get good reviews, I am leaning more toward the D7200 because of the (apparently) better low light performance and the in-camera focus motor allowing it use older lenses, many of which can be had for very reasonable prices. It also has a in that allows it to use much older, fully manual Nikon lenses with the aperture ring on the lens. Finally, it's weather sealed, a feature I appreciate up here, as it does rain in the summertime. Last thing I want is to have my camera ruined during a rain shower. The D7200 also has dual SD card slots, which is nice, but something of which I probably won't take much, if any, advantage. Oh yes, then there is build quality. Not that the D5500 is of poor build quality, but I do like the feel of a we-built, sturdy camera, even though it may be heavier. And the 7200 is. I just have to convince myself that it's reasonable to spend the extra money on the D7200. And I don't have a desire to go into FF territory. At least not at the moment. Besides, an FF camera is well beyond my budget.

Nikocarol Loc: NM & FL

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=nikon%20d7100

Plus gives 20% off with code KEH20

http://www.keh.com/358741/nikon-d7100-digital-camera-body-24-1-m-p

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

One thing that I really like about my D7100 is the dual SD card slots. I didn't think it was an issue but it is nice to have 2 cards in the camera. There are quite a few times (more than I would like to admit to) that I will have the card in slot 1 out so that I can upload the images in my card reader and I will grab the camera for an unexpected shot and (fortunately for me) it still has that card in slot 2 for the shot. It doesn't complain, it just takes the shots on the second card and moves on.. (about 590 Raw images on a 32gb card(.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

The D 90 was the top DX camera then the D300 . Then the D7000 d7200
But the D300 was better built than the d7000 series . The d5200 had a bit more pixels . But it's not the replacement for the d7200 . The d7200 has
A titanium body frame dust proof and water tight where as the d5200 is plastic frame and body not dust proof of water resitesnt . I would take the
Refurbished d7200 over the new d 5200 any day .

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

I agree.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

They were different camera lines (see chart below)
The D300 was a step above the D90.
See the links HERE and HERE.
The D300 (2007) came out a year before the D90 (2008) and was a heavier build than the D90.
The D300-s (2009) came out after the D90.
Image quality was about the same between the D90 & D300s- they had the same sensor.


Absolutely take the magnesium-alloy bodied D7200 over the D5200!!:thumbup:

(Download)

CO

One thing to consider is the viewfinder. The D300, D7xxx series and above cameras have a pentaprism viewfinder. The D3xxx and D5xxx series cameras have a pentamirror viewfinder. The glass prism in the pentaprism viewfinder gives a larger and slightly brighter view. It really helps with composition. You'll have other great features like the programmable Fn (function) button, U1 and U2 memory banks.

Amazon still has some brand new D7000's at greatly discounted prices. I've purchased two from them this year.

marty wild Loc: England

:thumbup:

MtnMan Loc: ID

Bought two about a year ago: one used and one Nikon refurb. Both came and remain flawless.

One replaced my old D5100 which my wife inherited. The upgrades to the controls and info screen are great. Otherwise it contines a great tradition.

I also have a D800. I find myself choosing the D5300 more than 2/3 of the time because of size, weight, articulated screen, and 24MP onthe DX area. I only use the D800 for wide angle landscapes...although the 5300 is no slouch with the Nikon 10-24.

May I suggest you also consider the Sigma f2.8 17-50? When not using telephoto it stays stuck to the 5300.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Once again the D7xxx advocates come forth. I dumped my D7000 after just a few months for several reasons. It took the same images as the D5100 and weighed and cost twice as much. I found the button system and lack of operable info screen annoying. I found the little green screen useless because it requires reading glasses. You can't find the buttons in the dark. It lacks the articulated screen which I found incredibly useful (those without one or who haven't exploited it are clueless).

I agree the D7xxxs have a nicer viewfinder...which has no effect on images. I'd only consider one if you have a bunch of non-AFS lenses.