sunsandwater

I am certainly not an experienced shooter but recently bought a 7200. It's a big upgrade from my 3100. Love it.

Terrymac Loc: LONDON U.K.

That is the answer alright. Like it. Thanks.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Unless you are a professional, buying a new camera upgrade isn't about need, it is about want. So to answer your two questions, Yes and Yes. There is a reason it is called an "upgrade!" $500 is a relatively minimal expense and you seem to be lowering that amount by selling of equipment. So what do you have to lose?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Side Note:
People here on the Hog often mention that it is the photographer and not the equipment. I often disagree, since I think it is most often a combination. However, here is a fine example of when it really is the photographer. Some photographers cannot see the possibilities around them so the equipment is meaningless. Photographers who do see exciting photos in their environment can capture an interesting and worthwhile picture with any camera.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Spot on! Unless you have to turn the images over to someone or want to Instagram quickly, there is no need for jpeg on your card. It is a perceived, but unnecessary, safety net. I have only shot RAW for years now, even shooting 50% sports. I upgraded from D7200 to D500 to handle the higher FPS and buffer I needed to do so.

LenCreate

You answered your own question: “So far the D5300 has done a good job for me in my estimation.”

Silverman Loc: Michigan

On your "Shooting" menu, you should have a choice, Jpeg, Raw, Raw+Jpeg on the same single card, granted you may want to get a 64gb or higher GB memory card when using Raw+Jpeg. But this way you would save a lot of G.A.S.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

The 7200 ia Great camera. Besides two slots it has many important functions as on camera buttons for easy changes in settings. The 7200 is also compatible with more Nikon lenses. See Ken Rockwell's website on Nikon lens compatibility. In any case, I would suggest that you start shooting RAW. It is like having a negative the can be post processed in many ways. RAW processing can take an OK shot and turn it into a great one.

I Derfdog

I need some of that. Where to buy?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Your computer OS should allow one click sorting by file type. Sort, then move one type to a new folder. Dual card slot GAS avoided.

Spend money on photography education — books, tours, classes...

Knowledge and experience reap far more rewards than slightly better gear.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Sometimes Jpegs are good enough. And sometimes they are great right out of camera- doesn't usually happen very often for me but when it does why mess with it. And with the Fuji there are the film simulation images that only record on Jpeg.

That's why I do Jpegs and Raw (on one card)

TucsonDave Loc: Tucson, Arizona

I would suggest that Burkephoto has a great response. I have been shooting with the D5300 for the past 3 years and have been shooting RAW and JPEG on one card. I love this camera and my skills are still far from utilizing all of the camera's capability. So, classes, reading, and learning along with more photo taking experience would be the best way to use any extra cash I might have lying around. But thats me and you certainly have to follow a path that suites your needs. Just consider striving to be a better photographer along the way. Have fun!

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Even though you say the D5300 has done a good job for you, perhaps you are beginning to feel something could be better. When the tools you are using begin to limit how far you can go, that is the right time to upgrade. The problem here is to decide exactly what will make the improvements you seek.

The D5300 and the D7200 have a lot of features that are pretty much equal. The added size and weight of the D7200 are not all that much for most people. The ability to use faster shutter speeds and higher ISO settings are the most important differences that make the D7200 an improvement over the D5300. Another important feature of a digital camera is resolution and both these cameras have 24 MP so should be equal, although the newer D7200 may have some sensor improvements, but I don't know about that.

Another thing to consider is what lenses you are using. Kit lenses that come bundled with cameras are usually at least adequate and often pretty good. However, you ought to consider whether or not better faster glass could be of more benefit at this point than a new body. My first DSLR was a D7000, and I had kit lenses which served me well while learning. But as I listened to discussions like this one, I began to get a better idea of what path to follow. My choice was to upgrade my lenses first, and take into consideration that eventually I may want to buy a full-frame camera. So I began to replace the DX lenses with FX lenses. In general I seek to have as many f/2.8 or better as I can manage, but not ignoring good lenses with a smaller maximum aperture. I am now using a D810, and did not have to purchase new lenses when purchasing the camera.

Do you have a good tripod? For landscapes it is a great benefit because you greatly reduce the possibility of camera shake. Also you can bracket shots for exposure when there is a high dynamic range in the available light. There are quite a lot of threads on the topic of what to look for in a tripod, with the warning that it will not be inexpensive.

Shooting in RAW provides images with a lot more information in them. This improves the ability to make edits that will make a difference in the final photo. Just be aware that RAW images can almost always benefit from some editing, whereas .jpg images are processed in the camera to some extent and are generally more "finished". It is possible to get a RAW image that is so close to perfect you have a hard time figuring out what it needs, but that is the exception. [Perhaps some professional photographers may get it right straight out of the camera more often...].

Do you have a good editing program? There are many excellent choices there, but the Adobe CC subscription is considered by many to be the "gold standard". That statement may draw a lot of discussion, because everyone has their own idea of what works best!

Final note: How you approach photography is a personal decision. The trick to deciding how to proceed is to do the research, compare options, so as to be able to make informed choices. With a limited budget, this becomes even more important. One way to approach GAS is to find out as you are going along what would make your job as photographer easier. This applies not only to cameras and lenses, but also to tripods, tripod heads, filters, camera bags, etc. All of these are just tools to improve your photography and/or to make it easier to accomplish your objectives. In the long run, the main thing is to enjoy what you are doing, keep learning, and to HAVE FUN!

Toment Loc: FL, IL

My thought exactly👍😀

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Ha, Ha!! Good one.