D5300

[petert]

It wouldn't make sense for a manufacturer to produce a camera that wasn't better than the one before it, as you say common sense really

 

[Swanseajack]

The conclusion was partly common sense (24mp v 16mp, better AF), partly DxO test results. I posted a link to the results in post #9. Here it is again:
http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Comp...-Nikon-D7100-versus-Nikon-D7000___919_865_680
The test shows that the D7100 is a step forward across the board.

I wouldn't get the D7000 over the D7100 as the sensor is of lower quality.

Thanks for the reply.

The comment " the sensor is of lower quality" got me. The sensor maybe less MP but as someone who has owned both cameras theres not much in them IQ wise. And for me the slow buffer of the D7100 was a pita. As an upgrade from the D7000 there was no worth in changing, but as first purchase it makes sense for the OP.