Upgrade Guide
Nikon D700→Nikon D5300
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the D700. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the D5300
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Resolution24MP vs 12MP (+12MP)
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Generation5 years newer (2013 vs 2008)
Unchanged or similar
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | D700 | D5300 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.5 | ||
| Street | +1.5 | ||
| Travel | +0.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -0.8 | ||
| Documentary | — | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.3 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.1 | ||
| Casual | +1.2 | ||
| Food | +1.7 | ||
| Macro | +1.3 | ||
| Architecture | +1.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.4 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D700 | D5300 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £133 | £195 | |
| Released | 2008 | 2013 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 12MP | 24MP | ↑ |
| Video | No video | Full HD 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view (tripod mode) | 39-point phase-detect (9 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 5fps | |
| Battery Life | ~1000 shots (CIPA) | ~600 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1075g (with battery) | 530g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.72x | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.2" vari-angle LCD, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Single CompactFlash slot | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D5300 against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the D700
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Camera family history