Nikon's D5300 - Wireless and with a New 58mm f/1.4G lens -First Look

<Nikon D5300 Cyber Monday Dealp>Feeling Connected with Nikon's New Mid-Range APS DSLR

By Mason Resnick

With smart phones and tablets becoming a photographic viewing and sharing medium of choice, Nikon today announced their first Wi-Fi-friendly DSLR, the D5300. Is it the best of all worlds?

Nikon today announced a wireless refresh of its mid-range APS DSLR. The In addition to the 5300, Nikon announced a new Nikon D5300 is the first APS sensor Nikon DSLR to offer full Wi-Fi communication ability, giving users the option of sharing images online directly from their camera, or to operate the camera remotely using a free app on their smart phones or tablet computers. As with its predecessor, the Nikon D5300 comes with the superb 24MP DX sensor, which can also be found in the higher-end D7200. Also new is an extra-large 3.2-inch swivel LCD monitor, The D5300 accepts all Nikon F-mount lenses, but is best suited for use with DX lenses, and works seamlessly with the Nikon i-TTL flash system using Speedlights such as the SB-910; flash exposure is seamlessly calculated using the cameras matrix and center-weighted metering system.

58mm f/1.4G lens (see description below).

The Nikon D5300 can be pre-ordered now from Adorama. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until orders ship.

• Photo enthusiasts
• Photography students looking for a camera to grow with
• First-time DSLR users who aren't intimidated by an moderately extensive control set
• Habitual online photo sharers who aren't satisfied with cell phone photo quality

What's New

• Nikon added Wi-Fi, instant photo sharing, and wireless camera control via smart phones and tablet comptuers using
• Differences:
• Wi-Fi enabled
• Instant photo sharing via smart phone or tablet
• Control camera via smart phone or tablet
• Built-in GPS and geotagging
• Monitor resolution increased from 921k dots to 1,037k dots, 3.2 vs. 3 inches

• 24MP DX (APS) sensor measures 23.5x15.6mm
• RAW and JPEG Image Capture in 12 or 14 bit
• ISO range 100-12,800, pushable to ISO 25,600.
• 39 point AF system with 9 cross type sensors
• Full-time servo Autofocus
• Built-in HDR
• On-board photo retouch menu
• Picture Control System

The
Nikon D5300 vs. D7100 vs. D3200

All three Nikon APS DSLRs feature the same highly-rated 24MP sensor. According to DxOMark labs, all cameras performed almost identically in the lab, producing outstanding image quality with excellent color depth, a dynamic range of over 13 stops, and clean image quality through ISO 1200. So, if their image quality is almost identical, what are the differences between these three cameras?

The Nikon D3200: Nikon's entry-level DSLR, the D3200 guides beginners through the picture-taking process, offering on-screen explanations of modes and settings. It is the lightest and least expensive DSLR. Read more.

The Nikon D7100: Designed for enthusiasts and semi-pro photographers, the D7100 puts extensive focus and exposure controls at the user's fingertips. Nikon has removed the low-pass filter, allowing for more light to hit the sensor and effectively boost image quality and low-light performance. Read more.
Nikon D5300 strives to strike a balance, offering many enthusiast-oriented features but at a price that will meet tighter budgets. Unlike the other two cameras, the D5200 has a high-resolution flip-out LCD monitor. Compact and ergonomic, it is also capable of high-quality HD Video (as are the others) but it is the only one that will let you easily share these videos online.


Wi-Fi and beyond

Nikon is hinting that there will be more DSLRs with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, but right now the D5300 is the first and only that will wirelessly connect to D5300 with your smartphone or tablet,* then browse the photos on D5300's memory card, import your favorites and instantly email them, text them or post them online. While connected, your smart device can also act as a remote monitor for the D5300. See what the camera sees and even fire the shutter-perfect for group shots and self portraits! When travelling, built-in GPS geotags all of your shots. Create exciting travel journals, find nearby Points of Interest and easily share your location data when posting photos on Facebook or Flickr.

The Sophisticated AF and Metering

The D5300 has 39 point high-density autofocus system with 9 cross-type sensors. Nikon has 3D tracking that uses the 2016-pixel RGB sensor, so it can recognize a moving subject and follow it and keep it in focus as it moves across the frame. Nikon's Scene Recognition System analyzes each shooting situation and compares it to an onboard database of thousands of scenes and automatically determines the best exposure. If using flash, it calculates and balances flash and ambient light exposure, as well as white balance and autofocus settings.

For more experienced photographers, the camera puts manual exposure, focus, flash and white balance settings within easy reach. You can manually set one, a few, or all of the above. It's your choice. Built-in HDR combines two photos into one image, expanding the dynamic range. D-lighting is another well-known Nikon feature that automatically brightens shadowy areas in images.

The Nikon D5300 also offers the ability to edit photos in camera. Options include cropping, applying filters and effects. And, since the camera has Wi-Fi connectivity, you can immediately share the edited photos via your smartphone or tablet computer.


Nikon D5300 will cost $799.95 at Adorama, body only.

In addition to the D5300, Nikon today announced the New Low-Light Lens

AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G ($1,699.95 at Adorama), designed for use in both DX (APS) sensor and FX (35mm) sensor Nikon cameras. When shooting with a DX sensor camera, the lens effectively becomes a medium telephoto lens, offering a portrait-friendly 85mm field of view. Nikon says the lens produces evenly-lit images with edge-to-edge sharpness and no saggital coma or light falloff, even when shooting at the widest aperture, where many lenses display such optical problems. The 9-blade diaphragm has rounded edges for pleasing bokeh.

Source: Adorama