Canon XS vs Nikon D5300

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Canon XS vs Nikon D5300

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APS-C 328.6mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon XS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XS.

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.

Succeeded by the Canon T3
Compare XS vs T3

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Compare CANON T3 vs NIKON D5500

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Differences

Canon XS advantages over Nikon D5300

Bigger pixels
~ 5.71 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Lighter weight
710g vs 1035g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D5300 advantages over Canon XS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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 500 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
210 mm vs 88 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
11 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
39 vs 7
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 1600 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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read XS User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5300 User Reviews

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Body Only

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

All D5300 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon XS Full Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Canon XS

Pentax K200D

$440
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Pentax K200D

Nikon D5300

Pentax K200D

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS

Sony DSLR-A230

$440
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSLR-A230

Nikon D5300

Sony DSLR-A230

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$549
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon XS

Nikon D3000

$440
APS-C

Fast startup
Less shutter lag

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Nikon D3000

Nikon D5300

Nikon D3000

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$450
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Pentax K-3

Canon XS

Pentax K-3

$440
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs 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

Compared to Canon T6s

Canon XS

Canon T6s

$440
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon XS vs Canon T6s

Nikon D5300

Canon T6s

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

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