Pay $800 for D7100 or $600 for D5300?

[larrewl]

My D5300 with Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM was stolen and I was planning to replace it with identical. I visited the B&H Photo website and see the D7100 is only $200 more. How is the D7100 enough better to justify spending $200 more?

I'm also considering a different lens as I take many indoor photos and rarely use the extreme telephoto (250mm) end of this superzoom. What other similar (maybe not extreme range) zoom lenses might consider for less than $400?

Any advice, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Chriz2469]

My D5300 with Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM was stolen and I was planning to replace it with identical. I visited the B&H Photo website and see the D7100 is only $200 more. How is the D7100 enough better to justify spending $200 more?

I'm also considering a different lens as I take many indoor photos and rarely use the extreme telephoto (250mm) end of this superzoom. What other similar (maybe not extreme range) zoom lenses might consider for less than $400?

Any advice, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.

I don't know how you feel about refurbished cameras but the d7100 is going for $600 refurbished on Amazon. I just bought a D7200 refurbished from Nikon for $900. It is coming today so I did not have a chance to check it out yet but I am optimistic that refurbished was a good deal.

 

[mpetryk]

The only reason to go for the D7100 is because it has more buttons that allow you to change things faster than diving through menus - off the top of my head the D7100 has an AF mode btton, a depth of field preview button, and a focus-mode selector whereas the D5300 does not (I believe). The D7100 will also support older AF screw drive lenses and the D5300 will not. Finally I think the built in D5300 flash will not act as a master in Nikon's creative lighting system but the D7100 does.

Oh, the D5300 has a flip out screen but the D7100 does not.

I think they're both great. I'd either get a "D7100" or a "D3300 and put the extra money into more lenses and a flash".

-Michael

 

[thelenspainter]

If you were happy with the D5300, might I suggest the D5500? It's available body-only on the grey market for $529 right now. Bodies are commodity items and extremely reliable, so I have no concerns buying those on the grey market. Lenses with their sample variability I would still buy from B&H so you can exchange them if necessary.

 

[BirgerH]

Hi.

My D5300 with Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM was stolen and I was planning to replace it with identical. I visited the B&H Photo website and see the D7100 is only $200 more. How is the D7100 enough better to justify spending $200 more?

A larger prism viewfinder.

The better and faster MultiCam 3500DX AF-system.

Direct control to all shootings-settings.

AF'ing older AF-(D) lenses.

Metering non-cpu Ai(S) lenses.

Running Auto-Synch HSS-speed flashes.

Built-in flash can be used as commander.

The list will be longer, if I get some time.

I'm also considering a different lens as I take many indoor photos and rarely use the extreme telephoto (250mm) end of this superzoom. What other similar (maybe not extreme range) zoom lenses might consider for less than $400?

There's not a lot of lenses to consider less than $400 - that is worth the money i.m.o. I can't suggest even one.

Any advice, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.

BirgerH.

 

[Mickey67]

Price difference insignificant so do you value familiarity, tippy screen and lighter weight over better build quality, better viewfinder, more buttons ans slightly better autofocus.

This really a personal value choice, i dont think anyone can tell you what to choose.

For me i went D5200, D5300, D5500, bought a cheap used D7000 body, liked it so much that i replaced the D5500 with a D7100.

Downsides, i miss the tippy screen and light weight of the D5xxx series but the photo taking experience of the D7xxx is so much better

 

[toomanycanons]

Hi.

My D5300 with Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM was stolen and I was planning to replace it with identical. I visited the B&H Photo website and see the D7100 is only $200 more. How is the D7100 enough better to justify spending $200 more?

A larger prism viewfinder.

The better and faster MultiCam 3500DX AF-system.

Direct control to all shootings-settings.

AF'ing older AF-(D) lenses.

Metering non-cpu Ai(S) lenses.

Running Auto-Synch HSS-speed flashes.

Built-in flash can be used as commander.

The list will be longer, if I get some time.

I'm also considering a different lens as I take many indoor photos and rarely use the extreme telephoto (250mm) end of this superzoom. What other similar (maybe not extreme range) zoom lenses might consider for less than $400?

There's not a lot of lenses to consider less than $400 - that is worth the money i.m.o. I can't suggest even one.

Any advice, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.

BirgerH.

But the same IQ.

 

[CaMeRa QuEsT]

Everybody has pretty much wrote down the D7100's pluses compared to the D5300, I'll write you about the minuses:

EXPEED 3 processor: green cast on the images that are most obvious under artificial light (even in RAW) and way too warm WB with interior shots; slower response that can be felt if you're coming from an EXPEED 4 processor camera like the D5300.

Shadow banding issue shared with the D5200 which show if you push shadows in post, thus limiting its actual usable DR.

No 1080p60, it's got 1080i60 that's cropped and of lower sharpness than 1080p30 which is full sensor readout. Also video has slightly more moiré and you loose auto ISO in full manual video mode. You do get a headphone plug, though.

LCD screen are the same size but not the same format. Stills will show smaller in the D7100 with upper and lower black bands, whereas stills fill up the D5300 screen.

These issues were enough for me to sell my 2nd D7100 and am now looking forward to buying a D5300 or D7200, whichever is better value this coming shopping season. I just bought a second D3300 to use in the meantime.

On the lens front, I'll look at the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 OS, it should cover your interior shots pretty well, it's leaps and bounds sharper than your previous super zoom and twice as bright. You might supplement it with a Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 VC which is also sharper, brighter and has even longer reach.

 

[BirgerH]

Hi.

My D5300 with Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM was stolen and I was planning to replace it with identical. I visited the B&H Photo website and see the D7100 is only $200 more. How is the D7100 enough better to justify spending $200 more?

A larger prism viewfinder.

The better and faster MultiCam 3500DX AF-system.

Direct control to all shootings-settings.

AF'ing older AF-(D) lenses.

Metering non-cpu Ai(S) lenses.

Running Auto-Synch HSS-speed flashes.

Built-in flash can be used as commander.

The list will be longer, if I get some time.

I'm also considering a different lens as I take many indoor photos and rarely use the extreme telephoto (250mm) end of this superzoom. What other similar (maybe not extreme range) zoom lenses might consider for less than $400?

There's not a lot of lenses to consider less than $400 - that is worth the money i.m.o. I can't suggest even one.

Any advice, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.

BirgerH.

But the same IQ.

Right - but the OP didn't ask for what's like - he asked what made the D7100 $200 more expensive. IQ is not mentioned among those reasons in my list, because ........ it's not one of the reasons

BirgerH.

 

[ImageAmateur]

Hi.

My D5300 with Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM was stolen and I was planning to replace it with identical. I visited the B&H Photo website and see the D7100 is only $200 more. How is the D7100 enough better to justify spending $200 more?

A larger prism viewfinder.

The better and faster MultiCam 3500DX AF-system.

Direct control to all shootings-settings.

AF'ing older AF-(D) lenses.

Metering non-cpu Ai(S) lenses.

Running Auto-Synch HSS-speed flashes.

Built-in flash can be used as commander.

The list will be longer, if I get some time.

I'm also considering a different lens as I take many indoor photos and rarely use the extreme telephoto (250mm) end of this superzoom. What other similar (maybe not extreme range) zoom lenses might consider for less than $400?

There's not a lot of lenses to consider less than $400 - that is worth the money i.m.o. I can't suggest even one.

Every six months or so, Nikon has their 70-300 VR on special, maybe Refurb, for under USD400, so too the Tamron 70-300 IS.

The Samyang manual focus 14mm 2.8 is under USD400, I think.

The Nikon 60mm 2.8 G Micro is just over USD400.

Two at top very good lenses, Samyang very nice and considering the price, great value for what it is. The Nikon 60 2,8G Micro , excellent lens.

And then, one can consider a used Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF-D push pull, from such as KEH, probably somewhere just under USD400 for an Exc+ version, if they have one in stock.

Not the fastest focuser, but good IQ.

Obviously, choice depends on what focal length the OP is after.

Any advice, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.

BirgerH.

--
Wishing You Good Light.

 

[larrewl]

The posts have been most helpful. Thanks.

I'm currently leaning toward my familiar D5300 with Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 OS. I'd like more zoom range but it may not be possible given my $400 limit.

 

[BirgerH]

Hi.

My D5300 with Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC (OS)* MACRO HSM was stolen and I was planning to replace it with identical. I visited the B&H Photo website and see the D7100 is only $200 more. How is the D7100 enough better to justify spending $200 more?

A larger prism viewfinder.

The better and faster MultiCam 3500DX AF-system.

Direct control to all shootings-settings.

AF'ing older AF-(D) lenses.

Metering non-cpu Ai(S) lenses.

Running Auto-Synch HSS-speed flashes.

Built-in flash can be used as commander.

The list will be longer, if I get some time.

I'm also considering a different lens as I take many indoor photos and rarely use the extreme telephoto (250mm) end of this superzoom. What other similar (maybe not extreme range) zoom lenses might consider for less than $400?

There's not a lot of lenses to consider less than $400 - that is worth the money i.m.o. I can't suggest even one.

Every six months or so, Nikon has their 70-300 VR on special, maybe Refurb, for under USD400, so too the Tamron 70-300 IS.

The Samyang manual focus 14mm 2.8 is under USD400, I think.

The Nikon 60mm 2.8 G Micro is just over USD400.

Two at top very good lenses, Samyang very nice and considering the price, great value for what it is. The Nikon 60 2,8G Micro , excellent lens.

And then, one can consider a used Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF-D push pull, from such as KEH, probably somewhere just under USD400 for an Exc+ version, if they have one in stock.

Not the fastest focuser, but good IQ.

Obviously, choice depends on what focal length the OP is after.

Well - read the OP's question - similar zooms to what he have, without the extreme tele.

To me, that sounds like the range of 16mm to about 140mm - and zooms. The only one, I, after spending some time, could find, is the Sigma 17-70mm C - which is $399 for the period.

Not a lot - do you think?

Any advice, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.

BirgerH.

--
Wishing You Good Light.

You too.

BirgerH.

 

[Tom Sales]

The Sigma 17-50mm OS can be had for $469. I have the D7100 with the Sigma 17-50 and love the combination. You can not get a better lens in that price range.

--
Tom
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsales/