Is the nikon D5300 worth buying?

Is the nikon D5300 worth buying? - 1

Depends. Example: If you need more than 5 fps, then no, it's not "worth" it because it can't do it.

Ask again when you've looked at the Pentax KS-2 (you can probably go cheaper if you track down a K-50 - discontinued, but still available from new).

Only you can determine that based upon your needs as a photographer.

Have you done the research by visiting the Nikon website and DP Review?

Have you done the research to see if that camera has the lenses you may eventually need, whether from Nikon or a third party vendor? Can that camera be tethered to your computer using Lightroom or the Nikon tethering program?

When you can answer these questions based upon your own independent research, then you will know the answer.

You are asking a bunch of strangers how to spend nearly $1,000 and we all have different answers because we have different needs.

No camera is worth buying if doesn't meet your needs. Nikon DSLRs are not as good of a value as other cameras that don't have the same kind of following that Nikon has. Because most people automatically buy Nikon because it's a Nikon, then this allows Nikon to put less in their cameras and charge more for it.

If the features of the D5300 meet or exceed your needs, then get it. Are there better brands out there? Yes, of course. Pentax is one of these sleeper brands. They are very good, but few automatically consider them because "they aren't used by professionals" like Nikon and Canon. Well, that's all fine, but unless you're a pro and needs all the pro gear, then You're paying extra for the Nikon and Canon name.

Pentax, like Sony, Panasonic, and Fujifilm need to offer more to attract customers who only consider Nikon or Canon. For example the Pentax K-70 has been reveiwed as the best APS-C camera in its class, beating out Nikon D5xxx and D7xxx series of cameras - and it's cheaper. The body is weather and dust proof, a feature you do not get on a Canon or Nikon until you spend a lot more money. Pentax uses in-body image stabilization (IBIS) which moves the sensor to correct for camera shake. Nikon and Canon puts their stabilization inside their lenses. IBIS is vastly better. It's corrects for 5 axis instead of 3 on Canon and Nikon. In lens solutions require additional elements which degrade image quality. This can be seen in Nikon new 24-70 f/2.8 VR. It's about $1,000 more than the non-VR model and it's less sharp because of the additional lens elements required for the VR system.

Because Pentax uses IBIS, you can get better image quality with any lens. This provides you with a larger selection of stabilized lenses than Nikon and Canon combined.

If you want to do astrophotography, Pentax uses the movement of the sensor to counteract the rotation of the Earth. This allows for longer exposure times while avoiding stars being recorded as smudges. Normally one would need expensive f/2.8 lenses on a Nikon or Canon. But with Pentax, you can make as good shots for far less.

All of these features not in any Canon or Nikon makes Pentax a far better value let alone a far better camera.

Yes, but it has a different picture shape format than other cameras.

Only if you know or planning to learn photography.