Is the Nikon d5300 hard to understand?
I have always loved photography but am just starting to really get into it and will soon be purchasing a dslr. The two main cameras I have been considering are the Nikon d5300 and the Canon t5i. It seems like the majority of reviews slightly recommend the Nikon over the Canon. However, one of the big things is that the Canon is much easier to learn on and to handle for more of a beginner. My question is if the Nikon is that hard to learn on? If I bought a manual that teaches me how to use it will it be that hard to use and to learn on? Also, if anyone has any personal recommendations between these two cameras or other similar ones please let me know as well.
It is not any more difficult to use than any other fully adjustable camera
Ease of use may reflect the willingness of a person to learn the fundamentals of photography and not try to use their dSLR as a fancy P&S camera.
Actually I have found that making the routine changes in the camera settings like white balance, ISO, shutter speed, lens aperture, resolution is easier when I'm using my Nikon's. There are times when a client wants me to use their Canon gear and I find that setting them up just takes a few more steps and requires using the cameras menu rather than the simple buttons on the actual camera
Since unless someone has used both brands when shooting assignments, I don't know if you will get a very dependable answer. Once you learn to use a Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony or Hasselblad, then it is all easy.
What you need to concentrate on is learning how to balance the cameras ISO, shutter speed and lens aperture to get the shots you want. Anyone can use a dSLR in the program mode and get okay shots.
Here is a link to help you with that.
http://camerasim.com/apps/camera-simulator/
If you are not willing to learn how to use your camera, any camera, they will all be difficult to use.
The Nikon does have a few things you may like
The Nikon D5300 has more focus points, 39 vs 9, a built-in GPS and an internal interval timer for shooting time lapse video. Its battery life is a little longer, 600 shots vs 440
If you will be shooting under low light conditions, then the Nikon D5300 is the camera for you.
http://www.dxomark.com/...___919_870
Frankly if you want an easier to use camera, stick with P&S cameras. They do all the work for you
It doesn't matter if you buy Canon, Nikon, Sony or Pentax - you still have to put in the time and effort to learn to use it properly.
The fact that you're only looking at Canon and Nikon, though, speaks volumes. Rather than looking at All of the alternatives, you're asking a noob question about the two who shout the loudest.
Take some time to look at all of the DSLRs within your price-range (Sony's SLTs use a slightly different technology which gives them the edge in video), and the opportunity to handle them.
All DSLRs work much the same (Pentax and Nikon even buy in their sensors from Sony), so the only real difference is the way they feel in your hands.
The learning curve is very long but with persistence you will master it.
It seems daunting at first - like learning to drive a car - but you soon get the hang of it.
As a bonus while you sort yourself out there's always the "let the camera do it all" auto setting that will give good results until you can use the full controls do get excellent results.