Nikon D5300 Digital SLR with 18-55mm VR II Compact Lens Kit - Black (24.2 MP) 3.2 inch LCD

Do go check out my video review of this camera. I've added a list below to sum up the good and bad bits of the camera. I have also added some sample images I've taken from the camera. Pros -Flip out display -Excellent photo/video quality -Fun photography modes/features -Wifi and GPS -Huge range of lenses to work with -Compact design Cons -Mic jack broke -Expensive to repair -Nikon software is useless -GPS feature difficult to use -Nikon lenses expensive

Almost infinite numbers of menus to play with, or you can use full auto. Excellent manual. No doubt it won't be as durable as one of the professional models, but I'm not a professional. I've waited for years for just the 'right' digital SLR and this is it- I previously used a similar 'consumer' model film Nikon body for many years and I'd still be using it now if digital wasn't so much more convenient. Make sure you get a spare battery- I got the official one- especially if you want to use the highly entertaining GPS location feature. As you would expect, this works just as advertised- open View NX2, connect to the internet and bingo! there is a map showing where you took all your pictures. Just that feature doesn't seem to use much power, but leaving it on GPS tracking so that it knows where you went even when the camera is switched off- that gets through power considerably faster.

Arrived within 4 days of order. It had been reboxed which made me a little suspicious but all parts were included. On startup Europe wasn't included in the zones, so to progress I indicated the zone as Canada. After that the camera was perfect. 275 pages of instructions to browse through to find my way around. GPS and WIFI enhance its features.

This is more a Supplier review and what was advertised vs what I was supplied. I ordered a Nikon D5300 VR II lens kit, first I opened the box supplied via Amazon - the box inside the large box was damaged ripped at side, looks like it's been opened and closed multiple times. the first thing you see if a photo copied instruction book, them on closer inspection there is a CD and another leaflet but No warranty card. For a product, they are selling £489.00 - as new! Not acceptable. Also, to revert to the Camera and lens itself, I have no idea if it's new it looks ok but the lens was not what I ordered, it was the VR lens only. Small difference but still you cannot advertise as VR II lens! Camera is being returned in full, not acceptable for the money they are charging. Disappointed!

Brought this camera to upgrade my 6 year old SLR and i have to admit this camera is great. The pictures it takes are superb and it has a range of useful extras that mean this body will last and still be useful in the years to come. It does have a few negatives though which a probably more personal issues. The camera has a wide a arrange of options which are used through button presses. These buttons however are EVERYWHERE, sometimes its actually difficult to find them! The other negative for me is the digital menu is a bit of a pain to navigate, several times i have looked to tweak a setting and its buried deep inside a menu tree and it takes me too long to find it.

Having previously owned an SLR some twenty years I am looking to resume a previous interest in photography and decided to purchase my first DSLR camera. I haven't owned the Nikon D5300 for long [just a week!] so cannot make comment on all the functions. To date I have found it to be very intuitive in terms of getting to grips with its operation and all of the functions. Quality of photographs to date, including some macro stuff, look great. I love that it connects to my Google Nexus which I have also learnt I can use as a kind of 'remote control'!! I am soon to go on holiday and am very much looking forward to having the time to properly get to grips and testing the fully capabilities of this camera.

Before you buy this camera.. I had the Nikon D5200, much like this, and I have some advice. I based my 1st DSLR camera purchase on a mix of price versus features, features meaning image quality. I actually read in a magazine that the D5200 was the BEST VALUE BEGINNERS DLSR, and I bought it on new ebay. If you really are an enthusiast I would encourage you not to get this camera. I had mine for 6 months and got rid of it out of frustration. If you are looking for a 1st camera, like I was, I would do at the start what I later had to do and go for the Nikon D7100. The reasons why: there are far fewer external controls on this camera. You will always be going through menus etc. and will either miss the shot or just not bother using the feature that will that this much time to change, the change back. All useful features are buried deep. You have to pay for the privilege to get external access to these features. But it is so worth it. Metering, ISO, Autofocus, are all features that cannot be accessed externally on the D5300 camera body. The image quality will be roughly the same as the D7100, but you will miss the shot, even if it's of your dog. If the D5300 had these 3 buttons it would be great. But it doesn't. People who buy DSLR's, especially their 1st DSLR expect to be able to control these things but with all Nikon cameras below the D7100 you get suckered into buying it with different add-on's that like wifi, gps and even image quality - all usefull.. BUT.. if you want control of your camera; what most new DSLR buyers expect they are buying; you have to go for the D7100. It can even use every lens since like 1970. I don't think that reviews and comparisons between these 2 cameras highlight enough the face that the D5300 has so few vital external controls. But like I said, you get what you pay for. Get it 2nd hand for about the same price. That's my advice. D7100 - the best beginners camera and will last for years.

Like lot of other beginners into photography I was confused which DSLR to go for. It took me more than a month to get convinced that the Nikon D5300 was the best option at the time of purchase. I looked at all expert reviews (both Amazon and others) and pricing. I ordered the camera with the standard 18-55mm Kit lens through Amazon prime, which was delivered the next day. The item was well packed. After charging the batteries I took the initial few trial shots (in auto mode) and I was impressed by the clarity of the images. Sharp and clear. The colours are bright and auto focus is fast. Since then I am hooked to this camera. Although I am still learning, but I can say that its definitely holds the expectations and its all positive reviews out there. Now after 2 months of vigorous use I am starting to feel the need to get other lenses, but then Nikon gives a huge range to choose from. At the time of purchase I was getting £60 cashback offer. I applied for the cashback on the Nikon website. After a week of submission only, I received a £ 60 pre-paid credit card valid at all shops & also in ATMs. So overall I please with the purchase and would definitely recommend.