Nikon D610 vs Nikon D5300

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D610 vs Nikon D5300

Leave Feedback

35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D610 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D610 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D610.
Compare Nikon D610 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D610 conclusion.

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 Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500
Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D5500

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D610 advantages over Nikon D5300

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D610 test data on DxO Mark D5300 test data on DxO Mark

2,925 vs 1,338 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

900 vs 600 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
15 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D5300 advantages over Nikon D610

Less expensive
$697 vs $1997
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
More telephoto lens reach
210 mm vs 85 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Lighter weight
1035g vs 1350g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D610 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5300 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D610

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-85mm and 70-300mm lenses, wireless adapter, bag
Kit with 24-85mm lens
Kit with 28-300mm lens and accessory bundle

All D610 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5300

Body Only

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

All D5300 Deals

Review Excerpt

Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.
Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.
Read our Nikon D610 Express 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 Canon 6D

Nikon D610

Canon 6D

$1196
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Canon 6D

Nikon D5300

Canon 6D

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D600

Nikon D610

Nikon D600

$1196
35mm

Faster RAW shooting

$1900
35mm

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D600

Nikon D5300

Nikon D600

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Pentax K-3

Nikon D610

Pentax K-3

$1196
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D610 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 Nikon D750

Nikon D610

Nikon D750

$1196
35mm

Fast startup

$1700
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D750

Nikon D5300

Nikon D750

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1700
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D750

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D610

Canon T6s

$1196
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$619
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D610 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

Compare Other Cameras?