Elmo55 Loc: Illinois

Currently shooting with a D5300, considering trading it in along with a D3400, and several lenses that I am not using (to reduce inventory) for a used D7200. Prices on used D7200's range from high fives to high sevens depending on quality (when I started this thought process). Can purchase a new D7200 from Amazon for $795 during "Black Friday" promotion (if I hurry). The big question that first comes to mind, "do I really need to upgrade, and is the D7200 going to give me that much more to justify the expenditure?" I am a landscape/wild animals/vacation/grand kids shooter primarily (not a lot of scenic landscapes or wild animals in Illinois). So far the D5300 has done a good job for me in my estimation. The one big advantage for the D7200 is 2 card slots so that I could start playing with RAW on 1 card and JPEG on the other. To date I am strictly a JPEG shooter. I have attached a sample of my work so far with the D5300. I will appreciate all thoughts, both positive and negative in helping me to make a final decision. Thanks for your kind attention in this matter.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The D7200 is a fine camera. Selling or trading what you don't want will help financially. Look at some comparison sites.

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Eddy Vortex

I don't see the big advantage of shooting with 2 cards. So what if 2 file formats are on 1 card. I'm a 5300 user and I would be spending my dough on that.....many other places to invest, many other toys:)

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

rodpark2 Loc: Dallas, Tx

I use or have used them all and image quality is very nearly the same. The 7200 is a little better/heavier built and has a pentaprism viewfinder, that's about it.

ELNikkor

Save you a bundle if you just got a 64gb U3 95mbs ($25-$30) card and put your settings at RAW+jpeg.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'd rather have the two formats on one card. So much simpler and easier to keep track of them. I tried RAW and JPEG in two separate directories once. That lasted two weeks. Too much hassle going back and forth. Much simpler to have the two formats in the same directory.

repleo Loc: Boston

I never understood the need for two cards unless you are a Professional and your reputation and livelihood is at stake. I am all in favor of buying nice gear, but I bet that shooting RAW and learning how to PP will improve your images much more than a minor camera body upgrade.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

There are so many other more recent Nikon choices- look into all of them before you decide including the Nikon Z6 mirrorless.

BebuLamar

You definitely don't need it. Do you earn a living with the camera? If not you don't even need a camera but well I say go for something even better than the D7200 and keep your GAS in check for a while longer.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I think the 7200 is a great choice. Go for it!

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

You bring up a couple arguable points here. You say, "So far the D5300 has done a good job for me in my estimation." Unless you think the 5300 is not doing a good job for you, keep it....It is a fine camera. 2 card slots are not required in order to shoot RAW, as you well know. Granted, it's nice, but.....
I would venture to guess that there are many,many beautiful landscapes in Illinois, waiting to be shot; you just have to "see" them. And I am sure there are tons of wildlife(birds, butterflies, squirrels, flowers); Go find them! :-)
As far as your 3400, I would consider using it as a backup camera, should you have a problem with the 5300....Or just outright sell it.
The 7200 is a great camera.... But I would resist the GAS, and stay with what you have in your arsenal at present.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

If you have yet to shift to RAW and PP, a new body is not going to move you forward. What are the problems you are having with your current results that you believe would be solved by a new camera body? Given your subjects, I believe that if you shift to RAW and more PP, you will eventually want to go full frame when the RAW files you are getting start to limit you. But until you reach that point, I see no reason to get a new body.

MT native Loc: Big Sky Country — Montana

I own a D7100 with the 2 card slots. After all of these years, I’ve never have had to use the 2nd slot because I learned to shoot in RAW only and then import into Lightroom for post processing. Good luck to you on your decision.

Elmo55 Loc: Illinois

Thanks everybody for your input. You all have hit upon some of my own thoughts on the subject. I just needed to put it down and "discuss" with someone else to clear my head! Again thanks. Elmo