Nikon D5300 vs Canon 80D

Cameras
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Nikon D5300 vs Canon 80D

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5300.
Compare Nikon D5300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5300 conclusion.

APS-C 337.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 80D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 80D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 80D.
Compare Canon 80D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 80D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Succeeded by the Canon 90D
Compare 80D vs 90D

Compare NIKON D5500 vs CANON 90D

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Differences

Nikon D5300 advantages over Canon 80D

Less expensive
$697 vs $935
Save money for lenses or accessories
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5300 test data on DxO Mark 80D test data on DxO Mark

1,338 vs 1,135 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 53 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon 80D advantages over Nikon D5300

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

960 vs 600 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.8 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read D5300 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read 80D User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5300

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Canon 80D

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality similar to more expensive DSLRs (like the D7100); Great dynamic range; Responsive all-around performer; Excellent Full HD video-shooting quality; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Built-in GPS; Compact and lightweight size; 18-140mm kit lens performs well for its type and has a very versatile focus length range.
AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to moire; Burst speed slows with highest quality 14-bit RAW images; Live View mode not as good as some competitors; No external headphone jack; GPS receiver not very sensitive.
Read our Nikon D5300 Review

Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.
New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).
Read our Canon 80D Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7100

Canon 80D

Nikon D7100

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$810
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3

Canon 80D

Pentax K-3

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 80D vs Pentax K-3

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D5300

Canon T6s

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

Canon 80D

Canon T6s

$935
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$619
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon 80D vs Canon T6s

Compared to Nikon D7200

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7200

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1043
APS-C

NFC
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7200

Canon 80D

Nikon D7200

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1043
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Nikon D7500

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7500

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$930
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 80D

Nikon D7500

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$930
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7500

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