Photogpg:Thanks so much for your input--it is very helpful! Weight and expense are major concerns. I am not going to be producing giant-sized prints so maybe I should stick with the DX if I get a second body. Then I can use the same lenses. I am not a professional photographer by any stretch...


Your Nikon D5300, a "cropped" frame camera, also called "DX" as opposed to full frame, "FX." Generally, they are cheaper; smaller and lighter in size; smaller image files so more images per memory card; all use smaller SD cards; less expensive lenses; more image reach compared to "FX": 300MM is equivalent to 450MM and others that will be probably be mentioned. The advantages of "FX:" bigger, tougher, more durable body; double size sensor which provides bigger file sizes for large prints or cropping; better resolution; better dynamic range; better noise qualities; better AF systems; AF adjust, multiple cards; greater range of lenses and other more advanced features. Among the disadvantages are cost, size and weight. There are others that will be mentioned!

Have a great trip!

Photogpg:

Your Nikon D5300, a "cropped" frame camera, also called "DX" as opposed to full frame, "FX." Generally, they are cheaper; smaller and lighter in size; smaller image files so more images per memory card; all use smaller SD cards; less expensive lenses; more image reach compared to "FX": 300MM is equivalent to 450MM and others that will be probably be mentioned. The advantages of "FX:" bigger, tougher, more durable body; double size sensor which provides bigger file sizes for large prints or cropping; better resolution; better dynamic range; better noise qualities; better AF systems; AF adjust, multiple cards; greater range of lenses and other more advanced features. Among the disadvantages are cost, size and weight. There are others that will be mentioned!

Have a great trip!

Today's crop sensor cameras are much better than older full frame cameras. The biggest two advantages of full frame cameras are small depth of field at a specific lens focal length and lower noise at high ISOs. The biggest advantages of crop sensor cameras are lower weight, lower cost, and the crop factor. A 400mm lens on a crop sensor camera has the same equivalent field of view as a 600mm lens on a full frame camera. 300mm-->450mm; 150-600mm-->225-900mm. Crop sensor cameras are usually preferred over full frame cameras with teleconverters for sports and wildlife because teleconverters reduce light on the sensor and diminish image quality. Since you are going to Kenya, your D5300 is a very good option, and if you need another camera body, I suggest you take another crop sensor camera. A 150-600mm telephoto zoom lens is a good option for wildlife that is far away. If you don't want to buy such a lens, you can rent one. If you do take another camera body, consider mounting a 150-600mm lens on one body and something like an 18-140mm, 18-200mm, or 18-300mm on the other. That way you won't have to change lenses in what is often a dusty environment, and you will have complete coverage of 18-600mm (or 27-900mm full frame equivalent field of view).