D5300 or D5500? My daughter is in the market for a new camera but is on a limited budget. Her D70 died leaving her with only an 18-55 mm lens. She started looking at the D5500 but I've...

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

My daughter is in the market for a new camera but is on a limited budget. Her D70 died leaving her with only an 18-55 mm lens. She started looking at the D5500 but I've read a couple of comparisons that seem to indicate there is very little difference between that and the D5300. She could save a few bucks that she could put toward another lens. Any opinions?

ken hubert Loc: Missouri

NoSocks wrote:

My daughter is in the market for a new camera but is on a limited budget. Her D70 died leaving her with only an 18-55 mm lens. She started looking at the D5500 but I've read a couple of comparisons that seem to indicate there is very little difference between that and the D5300. She could save a few bucks that she could put toward another lens. Any opinions?

5300 is the best between the two.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I have the D5100 & D5300. The D5500 has the same megapixels, but I understand it's a lot lighter and has a touch screen.
Not sure the touch screen would sway me, but a lighter camera would.

The Watcher

NoSocks wrote:

My daughter is in the market for a new camera but is on a limited budget. Her D70 died leaving her with only an 18-55 mm lens. She started looking at the D5500 but I've read a couple of comparisons that seem to indicate there is very little difference between that and the D5300. She could save a few bucks that she could put toward another lens. Any opinions?

Here's two comprehensive reviews that should be of interest.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_D5300/

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_D5500/

Peeb Loc: NE Oklahoma

I have the D5500, a family member has the D5300. Honestly the dynamic range on the 5500 is a tad better but I would guess as a practical matter your image quality would be pretty close to identical.

You get gps with the 5300 but at the cost of drain on the battery.

You get a lighter camera that is (to me) easier to hold with the 5500.

From a purely value standpoint, the 5300 is hard to beat, but I wanted the latest and have been very happy with the 5500.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I suggest looking at used DSLRs, like a 24Mp D5200, or even a 12Mp D5000 or 12Mp D90. All have sterling reputations.

Ctrclckws

I chose a refurbished d5300 since I wanted the built-in gps more than I wanted the touchscreen.
With a refurbished 55-300mm the total was $700 when I bought it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Indi wrote:

I have the D5100 & D5300. The D5500 has the same megapixels, but I understand it's a lot lighter and has a touch screen.
Not sure the touch screen would sway me, but a lighter camera would.

The touch screen would be a negative for me, but it's the growing trend.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

NoSocks wrote:

My daughter is in the market for a new camera but is on a limited budget. Her D70 died leaving her with only an 18-55 mm lens. She started looking at the D5500 but I've read a couple of comparisons that seem to indicate there is very little difference between that and the D5300. She could save a few bucks that she could put toward another lens. Any opinions?

If she has her heart set on the D5500, every time she picks up the D5300, she'll wish she had gotten what she really wanted. Saving a few dollars now can lead to permanent regret in the future.

http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu
http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/compare/

ggttc Loc: TN

Nikonian72 wrote:

I suggest looking at used DSLRs, like a 24Mp D5200, or even a 12Mp D5000 or 12Mp D90. All have sterling reputations.

I shot a D5200 for years...its a fine camera...take a look at a factory refurb

MarkD Loc: NYC

The D5500 is a little lighter and has a better grip. From what I've read the image quality is about the same. Unless she really has her heart set on the D5500 I suggest getting the D5300 and putting the savings into a better lens like the Nikon 18-140VR.

Drala2k Loc: Vermont

I would say the D5500 for one reason, she belongs to the younger gen and touch screens are part of their world - -Ipads, smart phones are everywhere. She would be familiar with and would enjoy a touch screen for navigating the menus. It would be second nature to her unlike us old farts.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

You are

jerryc41 wrote:

The touch screen would be a negative for me, but it's the growing trend.

I'm so used to touch screens on my iPhone & iPad that when I use my wife's MacBook Air, I keep trying to touch the screen. Probably because she doesn't use a mouse. :lol:

Drala2k Loc: Vermont

Indi wrote:

I'm so used to touch screens on my iPhone & iPad that when I use my wife's MacBook Air, I keep trying to touch the screen. Probably because she doesn't use a mouse. :lol:

The other day my 3 year old grandson wanted to look at the family pictures I was taking with my D7100. When I showed him the image on the cameras screen, the first he did was to touch the screen and swipe the image to move to the next one. It did not work of course but that is how ingrained that function is now in our younger folks.

bruswen Loc: Eugene OR

NoSocks wrote:

My daughter is in the market for a new camera but is on a limited budget. Her D70 died leaving her with only an 18-55 mm lens. She started looking at the D5500 but I've read a couple of comparisons that seem to indicate there is very little difference between that and the D5300. She could save a few bucks that she could puttowardanotherlens. Any opinions?

I would suggest you check out a refurbished D7100, it is currently selling for under $500 at Adorama, it is more closely related to the D70, product line development by Nikon goes D70, D80, D90, D7000, D7100. The controls for the D7100 would be more familiar to your daughter, it is more solidly constructed, and the 51 point auto focus is far superior than any of the D5xxx series cameras.