The Good: The camera's high resolution sensor produces very detailed images. It has one of the better autofocusing systems in its class. Nikon D5300 not only records full HD 1080p video, but it does it in 60 frames per second, which allows for high-quality slow motion footage.
The Bad: Controlling things like ISO settings or white balance is not the easiest because there's only one Fn button. The display is laggy in magnified Live View. Menus are not the best and definitely require some time getting used to.
The Verdict: If you're getting into photography or videography, then this camera definitely offers a lot for its price. Image quality is comparable to Canon T6i, but it's definitely not as easy to use as the DSLR from Canon. Nikon D5300 doesn't have a touchscreen, which is one of the main reasons this camera isn't so easy to control.
Although Nikon D5300 was released in 2013, it still a great top-range entry level camera. It isn't as lightweight as some other entry level cameras (Nikon's very own D3300, for example), but it makes up for it with great image quality and a nice set of features. The camera's battery life is among the best in its class, and thanks to features like Wi-Fi and GPS, the camera can remember the location where the photos were taken and you can easily pair it with your iOS or Android smartphone.
Nikon D5300's build quality is quite decent. The camera's right-hand grip is very deep, which makes it very comfortable, even for photographers with large hands and long fingers. There's also a rubberized thumb rest on the back of the camera. Just like other cameras in its class, it offers no weather sealing.
Nikon D5300 offers a mix of great image quality, quick performance, and decent set of features all packed in a light and compact body. It is not the newest camera on our list of DSLR cameras under $750, but it still doesn't lack useful features like Wi-Fi and GPS. The camera isn't just great for photos, but for videos as well. We are very happy that Nikon decided to include 60 fps recording in 1080p in such a small and cheap DSLR camera.