Best tripod for Nikon D5300?

Best tripod for Nikon D5300? - 1

One that is sturdy and can hold up to 7 kg.

Why so much? Because eventually you will be buying longer lenses and the combined weight can exceed 5 kg routinely

The other thing is, most advanced amateur and pro photographers only by one tripod in their lifetime (unless something runs over it somewhere in its life)

Plan on spending at least $150 for a tripod like the Tiltall or up to $350 if you buy a Manfrotto brand with three-way head

There are many good possibilities. One consideration is how you will be transporting the tripod. What compromises to compactness vs how much weight and bulk to can tolerate. Also how hefty and front heavy a telephoto you will be hanging on it.
The Manfrotto Befree is a very good travel tripod. However, if your lens is heftier than the 55-200mm, its light duty ballhead becomes hard to adjust.
If you can tolerate the weight and bulk, this is a pretty capable combo if you are trying to avoid spending more.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...ripod.html
If you can afford it, this could serve you better if the wind picks up.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._with.html

If you are going to use a heftier lens and need a heftier tripod head than the Manrotto Befree, but you also need to fit it into a day pack, one of the Sirui 5-section legsets could be a good choice.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...ripod.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...Fiber.html
The head is a separate purchase.

The top brands are Manfrotto, Gitzo and Really Right Stuff.
There are others that are cheaper, but some can be awkward to use in the field such as some of the Iduro tripods.

I've had my Manfrotto 3021 legs (formally known as Bogen) for more than 20 years and have used cameras such as the Canon EOS-1 and Mamiya RZ67 on it without issue.

Things to look for in a tripod is one, adjustable legs. You will need to be able to adjust each leg independently of each other if you're planning on shooting out doors. Studio work doesn't often require such a feature. Go with one that has 3 segments as opposed to 4 which makes using it in the field easier and quicker. However, if you need a compact model for traveling purposes, then a 4-segment leg tripod could be the best way to go.

The legs from Manfrotto, Gitzo and RRS can be purchased as a kit with a head or by themselves where you choose the head that you like best. I bought my 3021 legs separately and then got a ball head. All 3 of these brands make tripod legs that accept a variety of heads from ball heads, video heads and 3-D heads that have locking control knobs for all three axis.

Avoid getting a cheap tripod with a fluid head which is designed specifically for video and is a real PITA to use when taking stills. Oh, and don't forget a good cable release too.

Set a budget starting at $20. Walk into a camera store. Pick the meanest looking tripod you can afford. Test. If satisfied, pay for it and walk out proudly. That's it.