As digital SLR cameras have become more popular, the number of lens options available to consumers has exploded. While this can be a good thing, it can also make choosing a lens for your camera a daunting task. In this post, I’ll be covering the best lenses for Nikon D5300 for you to consider.
Nikon Lens Abbreviations
Before we get started, let’s cover some useful information. Throughout the article featuring some of the best Nikon DX lenses, you’ll see a lot of product names featuring abbreviations. This is standard across all camera brands, but each brand has its own naming conventions. To get you caught up to speed on the Nikon ecosystem, here are some abbreviations you’ll see throughout the list:
- Nikkor – Nikon’s lens brand
- DX – Designed specifically for APS-C DX camera bodies (see sensor size comparison below)
- AF-S – Auto Focus with Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor built in
- ED – Extra-low Dispersion glass elements help deliver better sharpness and reduce chromatic aberration
- G -Doesn’t have a manual aperture ring
- E – Has electronic diaphragm control instead of a physical lever on the lens
- Micro – Nikon’s odd denotation that the lens is designed with macro photography in mind
- VR – Vibration Reduction compensates for motion blur while using handheld for a more stabilized final image
WIDE ANGLE ZOOM
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD
QUICK GLANCE
Affordable lens with 35mm equivalent of the nifty fifty focal length
One of my go-to lenses for everyday shooting
Wide maximum aperture of f/1.8 for shooting in low light situations
RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVES
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR
The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD comes with a lengthy name, but a trustworthy past. Many photographers have relied on this wide angle zoom lens for shooting on their Nikon DX cameras like the D5300.
It has a focal length that gives you a wide angle view, perfect for vast landscapes, cramped interiors, and more. The maximum aperture of f/3.5 is constant throughout the entire zoom range.
Yes, Nikon does have its own 10-20mm lens, the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR, for a little more money, but the wider constant aperture and build-quality of the Sigma makes it my pick for the best wide angle zoom lens for the Nikon D5300. It is worth noting, Nikon’s version does have vibration reduction, which may be important for some photographers.
Best Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon D5300
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD
This lens offers an incredible value for the money. It is a great choice for landscape and architecture photography. The lens is sharp and produces beautiful images with great color rendition. The build quality is excellent and the autofocus system is fast and accurate. The only downside to this lens is that it is not weather-sealed, so you will need to take care when using it in inclement weather.
The Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD comes with a lengthy name, but a trustworthy past. Many photographers have relied on this wide angle zoom lens for shooting on their Nikon DX cameras like the D5300.
It has a focal length that gives you a wide angle view, perfect for vast landscapes, cramped interiors, and more. The maximum aperture of f/3.5 is constant throughout the entire zoom range.
Yes, Nikon does have its own 10-20mm lens, the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR, for a little more money, but the wider constant aperture and build-quality of the Sigma makes it my pick for the best wide angle zoom lens for the Nikon D5300. It is worth noting, Nikon’s version does have vibration reduction, which may be important for some photographers.
Best Standard Zoom Lens for Nikon D5300
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED
This lens is a great choice for those who are looking for a versatile lens that will cover a wide range of focal lengths. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8-4, which makes it ideal for shooting in low light conditions. The 16-80mm focal length range gives you the ability to capture both wide angle and portrait shots with ease. The built-in vibration reduction system helps to minimize camera shake, which can result in sharper photos.
My top pick for the best standard zoom lens for the Nikon D5300 is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED. This lens isn’t necessarily affordable, but is a versatile lens with a lot of amazing features. For one, it covers a wide focal length range equivalent to 24-120mm on a 35mm sensor. This gives you the flexibility to compose your shot perfectly in many situations without having to move around—especially useful if you’re using your D5300 for travel or event photography. It also has Vibration Reduction with up to 4 stops of compensation against motion blur while shooting handheld and includes electronic aperture control for better accuracy when shooting at high frame rates.
If you’re after a single lens that renders beautiful image quality and the freedom to rapidly compose shots on the fly, this should be high on your list. While traveling, there’s nothing worse than having to open your bag to swap lenses in the middle of everything happening around you. A standard zoom lens is the perfect companion to switch things up and go from a wide landscape to an intimate close-up in a matter of seconds.
Best Portrait Lenses for Nikon D5300
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens is a great addition to anyone's camera bag. It is perfect for portraits, landscapes and everyday shooting. The f/1.8 aperture allows for beautiful background blur and the autofocus ensures that your shots are always in focus. This lens is also lightweight and durable, making it this nifty fifty lens the perfect travel companion.
While this lens is a nifty fifty on Nikon FX sensors, it is also compatible with the Nikon D5300 camera, delivering an equivalent 75mm focal length. It is an affordable lens with a wide maximum aperture of f/1.8, making it a great choice for portraits with dreamy bokeh and background separation from your subjects.
It is very similar in build material and quality to the 35mm option at the top of the list, so if you prioritize size and weight, you’ll like its compact size and light weight.
If you already own the 35mm Nikon DX lens, you may find the field of view of this 50mm prime lens to be a bit too similar. In that case, I recommend considering one of the 85mm portrait lenses below as an alternative that gives your lens arsenal more versatility.
If you’re after another option at the 50mm focal length, I highly recommend checking out the Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art DG HSM. It is more expensive, but you get a wider aperture and better overall quality.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G
If you're looking for a great portrait lens that won't break the bank, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G is a great option. This lens offers excellent image quality and a fast aperture for creating beautiful portraits with creamy bokeh. It's also lightweight and easy to use, making it a perfect choice for beginner photographers.
By now you’ve probably noticed a trend—Nikon has a suite of f/1.8G lenses that look very similar. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G is another affordable lens from the Nikkor line that offers incredible image quality for the Nikon D5300. It has a full frame equivalent focal length of about 130mm, so you can get tight portraits with the boosted compression effect.
The 50mm above might be better for small group portraits since you’d have to stand pretty far back to fit everyone in with this 85mm lens. Consider what types of photos you’ll be frequently taking and determine what focal length will work for you best. I personally love the look and feel of tight portraits, but you sacrifice some of the important human interaction with your subject since you’re distanced.
If you’re after an alternative, more expensive option at the 85mm focal length, I highly recommend checking out the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art.
Best Telephoto Lens for Nikon D5300
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
Nikon has long been a trusted brand in the photography world, and with the release of their AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f 2.8G ED VR II lens, that reputation only continues to grow. This lens is perfect for anyone looking to capture beautiful photos of people, places, or things. With its fast aperture and Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f 2.8G ED VR II lens is sure to help you take stunning images, even in low light conditions.
Offering a full frame equivalent focal length of 105-300mm, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II is an outstanding choice for the best telephoto lens for Nikon D5300. This lens gets you close to the action, making it ideal for those of you interested in shooting sports, wildlife, or nature.
It has a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, so you’ll be able to shoot in low light situations and capture photos full of bokeh. If that wasn’t reason enough to grab this lens, you’ll be happy to know that it includes Nikon’s vibration reduction technology to mitigate motion blur while shooting at higher shutter speeds. As any sports or wildlife photographer knows, any small vibration or movement of the lens can result in soft images that are unusable.
Best Macro Lens for Nikon D5300
Nikon AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G
Macro photography is a popular form of photography and the Nikon AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G is an affordable option for Nikon DX camera users. It's a lightweight lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and has a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1 so you get life size images of your subjects.
If you’re into macro photography with your Nikon D5300 and want to pick up an affordable macro lens, you’ll definitely want to consider the Nikon AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G. Interestingly enough, Nikon labels its macro lenses with “Micro” and there are several focal lengths of Micro-Nikkor options: 40mm, 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm. The minimum focusing distance varies lens to lens, but they all have a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1, or life size.
The 40mm version I’m recommending here has a minimum focus distance of just over 6 inches, so you’ll be able to get up close and personal with you subjects to capture incredible detail. While this is a little wider than you’d expect for a macro lens, it can produce great images while staying fairly compact.
It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, so if you happen to want to shoot portraits or find yourself without a lot of light, this 40mm lens does a decent job. As with many of the lenses on this list, this macro lens is lightweight, affordable, and delivers the fantastic image quality you’d expect from a Nikkor lens.
Best Tilt Shift Lens for Nikon D5300
Rokinon TSL24M-N 24mm f/3.5
The Rokinon TSL24M-N 24mm f/3.5 is a manual focus tilt shift for Nikon FX and DX camera bodies. While it lacks autofocus and image stabilization, it is a much more affordable option when compared to many professional tilt shift lenses on the market today.
A tilt shift lens is a type of lens that allows you to control the focus plane. This is done by tilting the lens in relation to the camera sensor. While there are many situations where a tilt shift lens comes in handy, you’re probably most familiar with the photos taken to create a miniature effect, which makes objects look small and toy-like. The Nikon PC NIKKOR 19mm f/4E ED is insanely expensive, so I’ve opted to recommend a third-party lens from the reputable Rokinon brand. However, if you’re a professional photographer, Nikon’s lens deserves a look.
The Rokinon TSL24M-N 24mm f/3.5 is the best tilt shift lens for Nikon D5300 and those photographers looking to push creative boundaries. It is the only manual focus lens on this list, so keep that in mind as you weigh your options.
Conclusion
Nikon is a name that has been synonymous with photography for a long time. They are a trusted brand with incredible cameras like the Nikon D5300. I hope this roundup of the best lenses for Nikon D5300 and found it extremely useful. I recommended quite a few lenses in this article, but don’t forget that there are plenty of other options—some more affordable and some much more expensive. You can click here to learn more and check the best prices for Nikon DX lenses.
For more Nikon DX lens recommendations for other models, I recommend reviewing the best lenses for Nikon D7500.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Nikon D5300
Is Nikon D5300 a good camera?
The Nikon D5300 is one of the best cameras for beginner photographers that want something budget-friendly and advanced enough to take incredible photos.
Is Nikon D5300 good for professional photography?
The Nikon D5300 is a good mid-range camera. While it can be used for some professional purposes, photographers would get more features and better quality out of Nikon’s D7xxx range.
How old is the Nikon D5300?
The Nikon D5300 was launched in 2015, preceding the D5500 and D5600.
Is the Nikon D5300 a DX or FX?
The Nikon D5300 has a DX sensor, which is cropped compared to the full-frame FX sensor in other Nikon cameras.
What lenses work with D5300?
There are a wide variety of lenses that work with the Nikon D5300. These include the entire DX range and many of Nikon’s FX lenses. Third-party lenses from Sigma and Tamron are also popular.
Can I use AF-P lens on Nikon D5300?
Yes, the Nikon D5300 is fully compatible with AF-P lenses.
Is Nikon D5300 good for night photography?
The Nikon D5300 can be good for night photography when paired with a quality lens. Selecting a lens with a fast aperture and great sharpness will help you capture beautiful shots at night.
