best lens for nikon d5300

The best lenses for Nikon D5300

What lenses to get for your Nikon D5300?

Released in November 2013 (it’s a little older), the Nikon D5300 is a mid-range SLR that succeeds to the Nikon D5200 released a year before. It brings some interesting evolutions: the suppression of the low-pass filter supposed to improve the sharpness of the image, the integration of a GPS and Wi-Fi to transfer your photos to your smartphone, a revised and improved ergonomics as well as a slightly larger screen (3.2 inches instead of 3).

For technical specifications it offers a 24MP sensor, a new processor and a Full HD video mode. Its handling is very good, the camera is pleasant to hold in hand and the articulated screen is a plus, even if it’s not tactile.

In short, it’s a responsive and powerful SLR that is well suited for amateurs or even beginners, although there are currently much more interesting cameras and more features for the same price (I’m thinking of the Nikon D5600 or even hybrids from Sony or Lumix).

Nikon D5300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Auto Focus-S DX NIKKOR...
  • 24MP DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter
  • 39-point AF system with 3D tracking and 3D matrix metering II
  • 5 frames per second continuous shooting

The Nikon D5300 is supplied as standard with an AF-S 18-55mm VR II lens that is absolutely correct, but does not allow you to use the full potential of the camera: if you want to take pictures with a beautiful bokeh similar to professional photos, with perfect sharpness, or if you are simply looking for the ideal lens for travelling or portrait photography, this selection of the best lenses compatible with the Nikon D5300 can help you choose the right tool for your photo style.

If you have a larger budget to spend on your Nikon D5300, read this even more complete article: the best Nikon DX lenses to own

Any ideas to improve this list? Do you disagree on the choice of lenses? Please leave a comment!

Note: Product links in this article lead to Amazon.com  


Acronyms and abbreviations to know:

DX: This term means that the lens works exclusively with APS-C sensor cameras such as the Nikon D5300, which are generally lighter, more compact and less expensive.

FX: term used to describe lenses optimized for 24x36mm full-format full-format SLR cameras (larger than those of APS-C cameras). The names of the FX objectives do not include any mention.

Something you should know: FX lenses are compatible with APS-C sensor cameras! but you have to multiply by 1.5 to know the equivalent focal length. For example, the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G I’m talking about in this article is actually a 75mm focal length when used on a Nikon D5300.

AF-S (AutoFocus SWM): means that the lens is equipped with a SWM (Silent Wave Motor) motor that provides fast, accurate and near-quiet autofocus. Most Nikon lenses now use this technology and therefore most have the AF-S name in their names.

AF-P (AutoFocus Pulse): a new stepping motor technology that is optimized for video: focusing is smooth, smooth and quiet.

G: means that the lens does not have an aperture adjustment ring. The aperture selection is only made from the camera via the body dial. This is the case for most recent objectives.

ED: means that the lens has a lens with a low light dispersion glass type, which corrects chromatic aberrations (defects in the image) and provides better contrast and superior color correction.

VR (Vibration Reduction): means that the lens incorporates an optical image stabilizer that helps to reduce vibration, and thus avoid motion blur when using your handheld SLR.

DC: it is the equivalent of the DX range but at Sigma. Sigma DC lenses are optimized for APS-C sensor SLR cameras and are not compatible with full-format SLR cameras.

 


Summary

  1. Nikon AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G
  2. Nikon AF-S DX 35 mm f/1.8G
  3. Sigma 10-20 mm F3.5 EX DC HSM
  4. Sigma 17-50 mm F2,8 DC EX OS HSM
  5. Nikon AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4,5-5,6 ED VR série G
  6. Comparative Table
  7. Useful accessories
  8. Links

Nikon AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G

best lenses for Nikon D5300Weight: 187 g
Filter size: 58 mm

Technically, this is a lens dedicated to the FX full-format camera, but it is compatible with APS-C sensor cameras and gives the focal length equivalent of 75mm on a Nikon D5300… Don’t worry, you lose absolutely nothing in quality! It is one of the best objectives of this selection in terms of image quality, but also one of the lightest and cheapest.

Its focal length is more suitable for portrait photography, with a very nice background blur that gives your photos a professional look. It is very suitable in low light situations (wedding, concert…).

Whether you are an amateur photographer or a complete beginner in photography, you will be amazed by the photo rendering of this 50mm f/1.8 on your Nikon D5300 !

Check the price on Amazon.com

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Nikon AF-S DX 35 mm f/1.8G

Nikon D5300 which lensWeight: 200 g
Filter size: 52 mm

If you were to buy only one lens for your Nikon D5300, opt for the 35mm f/1.8 ! It is a fixed focal length (you cannot zoom in/out) so you will have to move to get the desired framing. But unlike a basic 18-55mm lens, this lens offers extremely sharp pictures, and its f/1.8 aperture provides a superb background blur!

Its f/1.8 aperture also allows you to shoot even in low-light conditions (bye bye flash). Its autofocus is silent and fast, it is compact and discreet, and its price is very attractive. Too bad it doesn’t have an integrated image stabilizer, it can be annoying if you make video.

In short, a highly recommended purchase for all D5300 owners.

Check the price on Amazon.com

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Sigma 10-20 mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

what lens for Nikon D5300Weight: 520 g
Filter size: 82 mm

A very good wide angle for landscape, architectural or interior photography. Its design is compact, its finish is good, its autofocus is fast and it is able to make very sharp images, even if there is a little distortion visible at 10mm. Its constant aperture of f/3.5 also allows you to take pictures where the brightness is not very good or where flashes are prohibited.

Although it’s the most expensive lens on this list, it offers good performance and is one of the cheapest wide angles for Nikon APS-C cameras. A protective pocket and a sun visor are included in the box.

In short, it’s the objective to have in your travel bag to take spectacular photos!

Check the price on Amazon.com

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Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8 DC EX OS HSM

which lens for Nikon D5300Weight: 570 g
Filter size: 77 mm

This 17-50mm from Sigma is the lens you need if you don’t want to take several lenses with you when travelling. Its sharpness is better than the 18-55mm sold as a kit with the Nikon D5300, and even if it zooms a little less its focal range allows you to take landscape photos as well as portraits.

The constant aperture of f/2.8 over the entire focal range allows photography even in low light conditions, and also offers a beautiful depth of field. It is also very quiet. On the negative side, we can talk about its weight of 570g, which is still quite heavy, but it is the sacrifice to make to benefit from a versatile zoom with a constant (and stabilized!) aperture.

Be careful, when you buy the Sigma 17-50mm on Amazon.com select the Nikon mount (Amazon offers the choice between Sony mount, Canon…).

Check the price on Amazon.com

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Nikon AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 ED VR G

what lenses for Nikon D5300Weight: 580 g
Filter size: 58 mm

A very useful lens to complete the 18-55mm: it allows you to zoom up to 300mm to get closer to the subject of the picture but it is also suitable for portrait photography. Stabilized and silent, it is great for beginners who would like to take distant shots (sports events, safaris, birds…).

Beware of the Tamron and Sigma zoom lenses sold at lower prices, some do not benefit from vibration reduction systems! This is an important point to take into account to avoid missing every other photo, so choose Nikon directly if you want to avoid disappointments!

Nikon also sells a 55-200 mm, lighter and at a price almost half as expensive as this 55-300mm.

Check the price on Amazon.com

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COMPARATIVE TABLE

All of the Nikon D5300 compatible lenses mentioned above are included in this comparison chart to help you choose the right equipment. You will be able to compare them according to their price, the weight and the utility of each one to choose which will suit your budget and your style of photo.

Lens Price Weight Aperture Utility
 Nikon 50 mm f/1.8G AF-S $$$$$  187 g  f/1.8  portrait
 Nikon 35 mm f/1.8G AF-S DX $$$$$  200 g  f/1.8  landscape / street photography
 Sigma 10-20 mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM $$$$$  520 g  f/3.5  wide angle (architecture, landscape)
 Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8 DC EX OS HSM $$$$$  465 g  f/2.8-4  all-in-one
 Nikon 55-300 mm f/4,5-5,6 AF-S DX ED VR G $$$$$  335 g  f/4-5.6  zoom

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USEFUL ACCESSORIES

A small selection of useful accessories to have in addition to your lenses and your Nikon D5300:

Nikon D5300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Auto Focus-S DX NIKKOR...
  • 24MP DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter
  • 39-point AF system with 3D tracking and 3D matrix metering II
  • 5 frames per second continuous shooting

LINKS

  • All the lenses of the DX series on Nikon USA

 

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