Nikon D5600 Review

With an increasing number of people getting into photography now more than ever, manufacturers have stepped up their game by bringing in models that cater to every segment of photography. This is not necessarily a good thing though, as now, the path to choosing the right camera has become more unclear. Getting the right camera is important because it is ultimately an investment and not an expense. No matter what anyone claims, your skills are constantly evolving and, therefore, you need a camera that holds up well over time. For instance, the Nikon D5600 is a great DSLR camera that caters to multiple target groups, right from amateurs to professional photographers.

 In this article, you will learn more about the camera and how it stacks up against other alternatives.   

What Is Nikon D5600?

The Nikon D5600 is an entry-level and mid-range DSLR that utilizes Nikon’s DX-format, which is essentially a smaller sensor (also known as a crop sensor). Although the D5600 is a modest step-up from the previous generation D5500, it is loaded with technologies such as Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi. The D5600 is a robust and sturdy camera that has fairly straightforward controls and caters to beginners and advanced photographers alike.

Product Specs  

The Nikon D5600 is equipped with an optical pentamirror viewfinder that offers up to 95% of coverage. The viewfinder also displays important information regarding the camera settings. The camera also comes with an Active D-Lighting mode for taking HDR photographs of people and objects that are backlit. The Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus sensor in the camera enables 39 focus points (which includes nine cross-type focus points) to allow you to quickly bring your subject into focus.

Pricing  

The price range of the Nikon D5600 depends primarily on whether the camera comes as a body-only model or comes with a kit lens. It is generally advisable that you get the camera along with a lens, as buying it separately can be too costly. You can purchase the D5600 body-only model online for around $$$.

And depending on the type of kit lens that comes with the camera, you can get the entire set for around $$$ to $$$. The camera can be found online on e-commerce websites such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Nikon, among others. Or, if you prefer to take a good look at the device before you make your purchase, you could even visit your local camera equipment store.

How It Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare with the Nikon D5600.

• Canon EOS Rebel T7i
• Nikon D3300
• Canon EOS Rebel T6

Nikon D5600

Being an almost mid-level offering, the Nikon D5600 features a 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD that can swivel up to 180-degrees. In addition to that, it also comes equipped with Nikon’s SnapBridge technology that uses either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to wirelessly transfer images from the camera to a smartphone or tablet equipped with the SnapBridge app. The camera also comes with NFC for lightning-quick pairing with smartphones.            

Price: $$

The Nikon D5600 can be bought from Amazon for around $600 for the body-only model. 

Ease of Use: 

Equipped with a deep finger groove, the Nikon D5600 is ergonomic and easy to hold. The SnapBridge technology combined with Wi-Fi lets you remotely view the live feed from the camera through your smartphone. You can even change the point of focus by tapping on the live feed on your phone. The touchscreen display is sharp and responsive, thereby reducing the time taken to switch between settings.  

Performance:

The Nikon D5600 has 39 individual autofocus points, which is a huge step up compared to the entry-level models that only had 11 AF points. The camera can also shoot up to 5 frames per second in burst mode. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery that comes with the camera can be used to take up to around 820 to 970 photos before it runs out of charge. When it comes to video, the Nikon D5600 is capable of shooting up to 1080p resolutions at 60 frames per second.

Design Quality: 

As the Nikon D5600 is a modest upgrade from the D5500, it retains the same design elements, which is certainly not a bad thing. The handgrip is grippy and deep, and the polycarbonate monocoque construction is solid and aids in reducing the weight of the camera. Unfortunately, the Nikon D5600 does not come with weatherproofing, meaning you can’t take it out in dusty, humid, or rainy environments without any additional protection.  

Warranty: 

Nikon offers a one-year limited warranty on the Nikon D5600.

Pros

• Excellent image quality
• Comes with a dedicated time-lapse mode
• The absence of an optical low-pass filter allows for more sharpness and detail in the images
• The touchscreen interface is handy and can be switched off if not required

Cons

• The camera does not allow you to change the settings remotely through your smartphone
• Video capture is capped at a maximum of 1080p resolution with no support for 4K recording

Canon EOS Rebel T7i

Similar to the Nikon D5600, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i also uses a 24.2-Megapixel APS-C sensor for capturing images. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC built right into the camera, you can utilize your smartphone to shoot photos remotely or transfer pictures from your camera. Equipped with a 3-inch touchscreen vari-angle LCD, the Rebel T7i is perfect for composing and reviewing your photos.

Price: $$$

The Canon EOS Rebel T7i can be bought from Amazon for around $$$ for the body-only model.

Ease of Use: 

The Rebel T7i is compact and comes with a swivel-type LCD that can be tilted and twisted according to your requirements. The controls are well-placed, and the camera also features a Quick Control button that gives you swift access to the essential settings. With its simplified menu options and on-screen help, the Rebel T7i is perfect for first-timers and beginners getting the hang of a DSLR.

Performance: 

Here’s where the Rebel T7i slightly edges the Nikon D5600 out. Equipped with the industry leading Dual Pixel Auto Focus with up to 45-point All Cross-type AF system, the Rebel T7i latches onto the focus points almost instantly. With burst shooting of up to 6 frames per second, the T7i is ahead of the Nikon D5600 by a single frame.

Design Quality: 

Made from a combination of Aluminum alloy and polycarbonate, the Rebel T7i does not feel too solid in the hands. Despite weighing heavier than the Nikon D5600, the plastic construction feels cheap and is generally not nice to the touch. However, the camera redeems itself with a deep, rubberized grip that helps you get a firm hold. The controls are well spaced and are neatly labeled.

Warranty: 

Canon offers a one-year limited warranty on the Rebel T7i.

Pros

• Canon Connect gives the user a lot more control over the camera remotely
• Autofocusing with Live View enabled is accurate and fast
• The interface is simple and user-friendly

Cons

• Heavier than the Nikon D5600 by over 100 grams
• Battery life holds good only for around 800 shots

Nikon D3300

Positioned as an entry-level DSLR perfect for beginners, the Nikon D3300 is equipped with a 24.2-Megapixel APS-C sensor and an EXSPEED 4 image processing engine. The cost-cutting measure is evident when you look at the display, as it is a more traditional 3-inch fixed LCD screen. The D3300 also sheds built-in connectivity options, although they can be enabled using an optional accessory. 

Price: $

The Nikon D3300 can be found on Amazon for around $420 to $440 along with an 18-55mm kit lens.  

Ease of Use:

Weighing in at around 430 grams, the D3300 is lighter than the Nikon D5600, making it easy to carry around for long periods of time. But it loses out on a touch-friendly and articulating LCD screen, making it tough to take photos from a high or a low angle. The D3300 has gotten quite a few improvements over the previous generation, such as a panorama mode and a slightly higher finder magnification, among others.    

Performance: 

The image quality is on par with the D5600 as the D3300 uses the same sensor. Even the video capture is the same with a maximum resolution of 1080p at 60 frames per second. The autofocus system is a bit of a downgrade as the D3300 sports only an 11-point system with just one cross-type.

The ISO goes up to a maximum of 12,800, which is a considerable upgrade when compared with the previous generation. The battery life of around 700 shots outperforms most other brands and alternatives.  

Design Quality: 

Although it is meant to be an entry-level DSLR, the D3300 does not feel cheap and has a sturdy feel to it. This is primarily because the design of the D3300 is incredibly similar to the Nikon D5600, as it also uses a polycarbonate monocoque construction with a deep, rubberized grip. The ports on the left side of the camera are neatly closed by two separate rubber covers.    

Warranty: 

Nikon offers a one-year limited warranty on the Nikon D3300.

Pros

• Very cost effective when compared with other alternatives
• Exceptional battery life
• The camera is compact and lightweight
• Features burst shooting of up to 5 frames per second

Cons

• The display is fixed and is not touch-enabled
• Many controls are not direct, and you need to scroll through menus to access them

Canon EOS Rebel T6

Released in 2016, the EOS Rebel T6 is Canon’s affordable entry-level DSLR featuring an 18-Megapixel APS-C sensor with DIGIC 4+ image sensor. The camera gets Wi-Fi, and NFC support built right in, enabling you to use Canon Connect to transfer and share photos. You can even shoot photos remotely using your smartphone. Checkout my other article about Canon PowerShot SX420 for more information.

Price: $$

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 can be found on Amazon for around $450 along with an 18-55mm kit lens.

Ease of Use: 

Similar to the EOS Rebel T7i, the T6 also comes with a feature guide that offers descriptions on all the settings and features available in the camera to help you understand just what it does. The controls are also simple and well laid-out.

Performance: 

In performance, the T6 is below par with its slow focus in live view mode and 9-point AF system. It doesn’t do much in the burst shooting mode either as it only captures a maximum of 3 frames per second. Low light photography is also a tough task with this camera as it comes with a maximum ISO of just 6400. With all these drawbacks, the Rebel T6 is good enough to replace only a point-and-shoot camera.

Design Quality: 

The design quality is almost on par with the one on the Rebel T7i with the weight reduced down to 485 grams. The thumb rest and the hand grip are as familiar as ever although users with large hands might find it difficult to accommodate all their fingers on the grip. The controls are simple enough to understand, and with the Quick menu button appearing in the T6, it’s also easy to get a grip on the device.

Warranty: 

Canon offers a one-year limited warranty on the EOS Rebel T6.

Pros

• Built-in connectivity options via Wi-Fi and NFC
• The interface is easy to understand and is user-friendly
• The camera is lightweight and easy to hold for long periods of time

Cons

• Performance is below par when compared with other alternatives
• Autofocus is slow to respond and features only a 9-point system

Conclusion

The Nikon D5600 is a great mid-range camera that ticks all the right boxes. The camera’s performance is on par with some of the higher spec cameras. The image quality is sharp and consistent with no overexposures. Additionally, the color output seems natural and is not overly saturated, and the stellar battery life of the camera is bound to last for days.

However, if you are a person who records videos more often, then you might feel a little limited for choice with no support for 4K resolutions. But, if photos are what you seek, the Nikon D5600 is sure to satisfy your needs. Upon carefully considering the facts, technical specifications, and comparisons with other alternatives, we award the Nikon D5600 an impressive 4 stars out of 5.