Nikon D5300 vs Nikon Z6

Cameras
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Nikon D5300 vs Nikon Z6

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.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z6 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z6 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z6.
Compare Nikon Z6 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z6 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500
Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon Z6

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Differences

Nikon D5300 advantages over Nikon Z6

Less expensive
$697 vs $1899
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

600 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
210 mm vs 70 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon Z6 advantages over Nikon D5300

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
Z6 test data on DxO Mark D5300 test data on DxO Mark

3,299 vs 1,338 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
5 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.20 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
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
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
35 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Read D5300 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read Z6 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5300

Body Only

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

All D5300 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm lens and FTZ adapter

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

Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.
Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).
Read our Nikon Z6 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

Nikon Z6

Nikon D7100

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$810
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Nikon Z6 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

Nikon Z6

Pentax K-3

$1797
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Z6 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

Nikon Z6

Canon T6s

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Sony A7 III

Nikon D5300

Sony A7 III

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1665
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$1665
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Canon EOS R

Nikon D5300

Canon EOS R

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1583
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R

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