Wait for D5300? or Just get D5200?

jihwoanahn

Hey everyone.. my first post here. I was about to get D5200 about this week, but I just read a post here about possible announcement of D5300.
Now, since there is no speculated date, I think it maybe real close.. probably after october, when they are done with lens rebate program extended to end of the september.

What are your thoughts? I know I'll use D5200 (or D5300) mainly for video recordings. I read many reviews about D5200 video quality and satisfied enough with what D5200 is capable of (considering the body price). But would it be wise for me to wait for D5200, when I want to (or have something to shoot) real soon?

heartyfisher

i think the announcements are expected to be on the 15th of this month .. so wait till then.

jihwoanahn

Thanks for the reply...but hey, 15th of this month? That's Sunday! lol
Nikon better be working hard to make an announcement on Sundays... xD

Sports

It's still a rumor, remember. At least, we don't know when you can actually get the D5300. In 2 weeks, 6 months, ???
We DO know that there will always be the next slightly improved model coming.
Well, as a general rule, if you know why you're waiting - some specific feature or improvement - then consider waiting ... assuming that you have a camera already. (If you don't, then get one now :-) )

shawnino

It mostly depends on when you need it, but if you can wait, you may choose to wait for the D5300 announcement/release (there is often little lag time between announcement and release of Dx000 bodies), get the 5200 anyway, and save the cash from the resulting price drop (might be $100, plus or minus) of and "older" model.

Photobug

If the D5300 is announced this month you will know the features and can determine if you want the D5200 at $100 off or buy the new D5300. The lower price on the D5200 is good until 9/28.

Msmoto

If one wants the latest technology for the longest time, one purchases the latest model. Having said that, after the D600 fiasco, I might purchase a D5200 at a discount, rather than wait and see if the D5300 is another Nikon citrus fruit.

Gitzo

Out of all the many things I can't do, I think advising someone I don't even know, what camera to buy, and when best to buy it, must rank right near the top of my list. I'd much rather concentrate on things I "can" do, and things I'm "sure of".

Having said that, here's a few things that I'm absolutely POSITIVE of; #1. The absolute WORST time to buy ANY new camera model, is right when it comes out! You are automatically guaranteed of paying the highest price that camera will ever sell for. #2. while slightly less certain, there is usually a pretty sure chance that said new camera model "just coming out" will have "issues"; (occasionally, the "issues" will become all-out disasters)
#3. Here's something I've noticed; while it's not an absolute certainty, I have noticed that there is usually a direct correlation between most people's photographic experience, and their ability to define exactly what it is that they want to take pictures of; obviously, until one has a pretty clear cut idea of just what it is that you wish to take pictures of, it's likely to be a very "iffy" task to select the the appropriate equipment to do it with.
#4. Regardless of which D-SLR camera you buy, the less time that passes between the cameras introduction and when you buy it, the more money you are guaranteed of losing on that camera. (digital cameras depreciate at least as fast as computers do; For example; we all know what the D-800 went for when it was first introduced; it's pretty simple to find out what they can "be had" for now; (quite a bit less than when they came out); guess what.....there are many D-800 users here; I'm pretty sure that many (if not all) will tell you that a D-800 will take every bit as good pictures right now, as they did when they came out; (probably even better !) If I'm correct in that assumption, it would seem that a person buying a D-800 now is getting a superlative camera at a great price, which equals a "great deal"! After having said that, I doubt if buying a new D-800 would be a good idea for a beginner, even if you paid half price for it. At the end of the day, taking great pictures requires a lot of hard work; so does determining the right camera to buy; and IMHO, it's a task that no one can do for you. It can't be accomplished without knowledge; you can always get "opinions" from others, but opinions don't always equal knowledge.

heartyfisher

Thats YOUR Opinion.. me? I like to spend their money ;-)

tc88

D800 lists for $3k when it first came out. Now it lists for $2.8k. Seems to me that the DSLRs that are above consumer level (with the exception of D600) hold their prices remarkably well, especially considering Nikon's fixed pricing scheme. For me, If I want to upgrade, I would buy as close to a new model's introduction as possible. Of course, one needs to watch out for any new camera quality issues that can commonly present these days.

shyam

I'm was in same confusion, whether to buy d5200 or wait for d5300. But decided to buy d5200. I don't think there will be significant changes in d5300, as per rumours only it is coming up with wi-fi and gps. Also, it has been just 9 months since nikon released d5200, so, it takes atleast another 4 to 6 months for d5300 to get released, I can't wait till that time. If you consider price reduction, even after releasing d5200, the price of d5100 was almost same. So, in my opinion it is good to take d5200 and start catching dreams instead of waiting for d5300.

heartyfisher

Well said shyam ! excellent first post ! Welcome to NRF !

Photobug

See the revised specs for the D5300 on the main/home page. Suggest you wait for the D5300. The GPS and WiFi build ins are nice but the EXPEED 4 makes it worth waiting for.