Nikon D3300 review

According provided by Nikon D3300 body camera many thanks to the official representative of Nikon in Ukraine.

Nikon D3300 review

Nikon D3300 review

The Nikon D3300 camera was announced on January 7, 2014 (2 months after the announcement Nikon D5300), and, at the time of writing this review, was the newest camera in the Nikon DX series.

The camera comes in three different body colors; this review presents an option in a classic black case.

The line of cameras Nikon D40 -> D40X -> D60 -> D3000 -> D3100 -> D3200 -> D3300 -> D3400 considered the easiest in the entire range of Nikon digital SLR cameras... But 'simple' in no way means 'bad', with this little D3300 you can get just fabulous photos, the main thing is a little desire, and the camera will do the rest (there should be an ironic smiley here, but it won't be).

Nikon D3300 is perfect for all those who want to get good results in the photo without delving into the subtleties of settings. There is a 'Guide' mode on the mode dial, where all the tips are present, and you can also select any shooting mode from 'Landscapes' to 'Sleepy Faces' :), the camera will do the rest almost by itself.

Nikon D3300 usually sold with an updated full-time lens Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkorwhich will be enough for 99% simple shooting. Such a set of a camera and a lens is called a kit (from the English 'kit'), if in some store you find a 'Nikon D3300 BODY', then you should know that only the camera itself is sold without a lens.

Nikon D3300

Nikon D3300

The D3300 is very, very similar to its predecessor - D3200, which was born on 19.04.2012/19/3300 (XNUMX months before DXNUMX). Both cameras use the same focusing module Nikon Multi-CAM 1000, the same measurement is used 420-pixel RGB sensorThe cameras are very light and have the same 3-inch display at 921.600 dots (720 pixels wide x 480 pixels high x 3 RBG sub-pixels) and also use the same optical viewfinder with a 95% coverage of the zone and a 0.85x magnification based on pentazerkal.

Management for D3300 and D3200 also the same. On the D3300, only slightly changed the location of the button that controls the shooting method (single, continuous, silent shutter, self-timer, delayed release ML-L3fast descent ML-L3), and the joystick is now not four-, but eight-way (left, right, down, up and diagonally). Among amateur cameras, such a joystick was first seen at Nikon D5200.

The D3300 is also Nikon's lightest DSLR camera ever, weighing 430 grams with a battery, just 23 grams more than the lightest DSLR of any model - Canon EOS 100D. Although the camera is really very light, but quite durable, it has a fully rubberized grip and a rubber insert under the thumb. I used the Nikon D3300 with a lens without any problems Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII), which weighs 1.3 kg (more than 3 times heavier than the camera itself), while nothing happened with the plastic case of the camera.

Nikon D3300, battery compartment, battery and memory card

Nikon D3300, battery compartment, battery and memory card

The most important thing that appeared in the D3300 compared to D3200 Is a new matrix. The camera can capture images with a maximum size of 6000 x 4000 pixels, which equals exactly 24 MegaPixels. I want to note a tiny nuance - probably for the first time among the same line of Nikon cameras there was a decrease in the number of MPs on the camera sensor. So, Nikon D3200 creates pictures of a maximum size of 6016 X 4000 pixels, which in the end is 64.000 pixels larger than the Nikon D3300. But of course not in megapixel happiness.

Also, one of the key features of the camera is the lack of a low-pass filter. Although information about this cannot be found on Nikon official website, or in the instructions for the camera. But on a large number of other resources, it is claimed that the D3300 lacks an OLPF filter (proof 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc.). Personally, I couldn’t determine by eye whether this filter is or not, especially since I didn’t have other similar cameras at hand to compare their shots with the same lens.

I can’t say for sure, but most likely the D3300 uses a sensor from D5300, This is indirectly indicated by the similarity of many parameters. And most likely they omit information about the lack of an OLPF filter on official sites, so that the difference between Nikon D5300 and the D3300 was more tangible.

Given that the Nikon D3300 only processes data with 12-bit color depthNikon D5300 with 14 bit depth then images with D5300 It should be a little better :).

The D3300 can use ISO from 100 to 12.800 units and expand it to a HI1 value equivalent to ISO 25.600. These are very large figures for an amateur camera. By the way, even Nikon D800 or Nikon D7100, which are much more advanced and expensive cameras, cannot use a base, unexpanded ISO of 12.800 units.

The ISO value changes only in whole steps and manually you can select only the ISO values ​​100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12.800 and HI1.

Personally, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the camera at high ISO, the camera copes with noise very well, as for crop. But I didn’t like that you can’t turn it on quickly ISO auto control via the quick setup screen using the 'i' button. To enable and configure auto ISO Be sure to climb into the camera menu. For 55 mm focal length function auto ISO with automatic selection excerpts sets the maximum shutter speed equal to 1/100 of a second.

Nikon D3300, top view

Nikon D3300, top view

Also, among the new features in the Nikon D3300, you can find burst shooting at 5 frames per second. This is just a great indicator for an amateur camera of the simplest level. Apparently the manufacturer understands that due to the appearance on the market of super-rapid-fire mirrorless and SLT cameras, it is necessary to somehow increase the 'rate of fire' of real 'DSLRs', albeit amateur ones. By the way, 5 frames per second is more than professional Nikon D800,D800E, D1x and as much as professional Nikon D1h, D2xs, D2x, D200, D3x (if we compare their regular modes of operation).

But of course, frame buffer the camera is small. If you disable features such as' Auto. distortion control ',' Active D-Lighting ',' Noise reduction ',' ISO HI1 ', then the buffer is placed

  • 7 frames in RAW format
  • 6 frames in RAW + JPEG format
  • 9 frames in JPEG L, Fine format

If you include everything that is possible, then it is placed in the buffer:

  • 3-4 frames in RAW format
  • 3-4 frames in RAW + JPEG format
  • 4-5 frames in JPEG L, Fine format

After filling the buffer, the camera digests the captured material for a rather long time and writes it to the memory card. It's funny, but despite the fact that the Nikon D3300 uses an Expeed 4 processor, and D3200 - Expeed 3, the older camera does better burst shooting due to the larger frame buffer.

And one more small fly in the ointment. When you turn on Live View and zoom in on the selected area using the '+' button (you need to press this button more than two times), the image on the screen starts to slow down very, very much, showing no more than 2-3 frames per second. No matter how hard I tried, but I could not find some pattern in which modes and with what settings the brakes start. For me personally, this slowdown very much interfered with when working with a lens that supported only manual focus on the camera - Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)with which the increase in the selected area could greatly facilitate focusing. And where, I ask, is the praised performance of the Expeed 4 processor?

RAW files average about 19-25 MB each. Camera supports SD, SDHC, SDXC memory cards.

Nikon D3300 uses the EN-EL14a battery, which was enough for me for a huge number of frames. The same battery is used in the camera. Nikon D5300. Also, the EN-EL14a and EN-EL14 batteries are interchangeable, which is why batteries from the Nikon D3300 should be suitable for D5200, D3200, D3100 and Nikon DF.

The camera supports video quality of 1920 x 1080 60p, H.264 / MPEG-4 is written in the '.MOV' file format. Attention: to shoot at 60p you need to set NTSC mode in the menu. Nikon D3200 could only shoot with maximum quality of 1920 x 1080 30p.

Who does not need to create a bunch of heavy video files, he can take advantage of other sizes of the original video. You can also select high or normal video quality. The Nikon D3300 has a built-in mono microphone. You can also use a stereo microphone through a regular mini-pin jack, Nikon recommends using the original ME-1 microphone. In AF-F focus mode, continuous tracking is available when shooting video. The AF-F focus mode must be set using the 'I' button while Live View is on.

A common weakness for most Nikon cameras is the inability to change the aperture value when shooting video. Also, the camera focuses very slowly and rather inaccurately when shooting video, since Live View uses the usual focusing in contrast.

Nikon D3300 with Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor lens

Nikon D3300 with lens Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor and blend

Near the flash activation button, the camera has a programmable Fn button, it's just a pity that the choice of possible functions for this button consists of only four options:

  1. Image Quality / Image Size
  2. ISO sensitivity
  3. White balance
  4. Active D-lighting

Personally, I have not changed my habits since Nikon D40where this button was programmed for me to change the ISO.

Nikon D3300 can do simple panoramas. To make a panorama, put the camera in 'Effects' mode and follow the direction of the camera. When shooting a panorama, the camera does not take a series of frames, but stitches them immediately in Live View mode, as in ordinary video shooting.

Nikon D3300 with Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical lens and lens hood

Nikon D3300 with lens Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical and blend

You can write an overview of any camera endlessly, since modern central controllers are crammed with different settings, options, sub-functions and a submenu from head to toe :). But for some of the features of the Nikon D3300, I would just like to go over the list:

  1. The camera has a simple menu for processing captured RAW files.
  2. You can have the camera imprint the date and time on the captured images. However, the function only works when shooting in JPEG format.
  3. There is a focus function with face priority in Live View, which quickly helps to focus on people's faces.
  4. There is a function for cleaning the matrix, it helps to keep the matrix of the camera clean for a long time.
  5. Tips for working with the camera. To see the prompt, you need to click on the button with the image of the question mark.
  6. Active D-lighting and noise reduction function. It is unfortunate that these functions do not have advanced settings and can be either turned on or off. But to the material you can apply D-lighting with different intensity settings.
  7. The shutter release can be controlled remotely using a cheap remote control ML-L3... By the way, the camera has two infrared receivers for the remote control signal, one is located behind the camera (on the handle), the other in front (above the 'play' button). This arrangement of receivers is very convenient to use. Also, the camera supports WR-1 and WR-R10 wireless remotes, as well as a regular MC-DC2 cable.
  8. Nikon D3300 supports the ability to connect an optional wi-fi module WU-1 for instant transfer of photos / videos to a computer or other compatible devices. Not included in the package. Additionally, you can buy a GPS module - GP-1 or GP-1A, to obtain data about the location of the camera. But the Nikon 5300 has GPS and wi-fi modules already built-in.
  9. The built-in flash can operate at shutter speeds up to 1 \ 200 second. The flash guide number in manual flash control is 13 meters. Nikon D3300 built-in flash does not support FP mode works with the flash and does not support the automatic control of other external flashes using Nikon CLS.
  10. The camera supports automatic lens distortion control (most likely the camera automatically corrects vignetting, chromatic aberration и distortion).
  11. Exposure varies from 30s to 1/4000 seconds.
  12. In RGB view modebar charts You can view the histogram for any selected image fragment.
  13. You can power the camera from an outlet using the EH-5b AC adapter with an EP-5A connection.

A small gallery with sample photos on the Nikon D3300.

Here link to the archive with originals and JPEG files - 934 MB, 49 photos in .NEF format (RAW) and JPEG. All photos in the gallery are untreated, just a smaller on-camera JPEG. For shooting, lenses were used. Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor и Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1: 1.8G SWM Aspherical.

A little lyrical digression. I still use the camera Nikon D80which has the same sensor as Nikon D3000. And, after the pictures taken with Nikon D80, Nikon D3300 shots seem to be an order of magnitude better. First of all, new cameras are much better at handling high ISO noise. Nikon D3000 и D80 already shamelessly 'noisy' at ISO 800, but the noise problems of the Nikon D3300 start somewhere after the ISO 3200 mark. Personally, I am glad that Nikon is updating the matrices in its cameras and I am even thinking of changing my Nikon D80 to something else :).

Below shown block with prices on Nikon D3300 in major online stores:
All Nikon D3300 body prices

If don't know which camera and lens to choose, then my article will help with this - Which Nikon amateur DSLR camera and lens to choose?

Prices for modern Nikon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Results

Overall, the Nikon D3300 is a great amateur camera. It is cut in functionality, which will never be in demand by those people for whom it was developed, but, in turn, can easily help anyone get a high-quality (at least technically high-quality) picture in almost any situation. On the other hand, amateur Nikon D3100 does almost everything the same as Nikon D3300 and personally I do not see much reason to overpay for those people who want a simple 'DSLR' for home shooting. Of course, amateur photographers who are trying to squeeze every last drop from the camera will be able to feel the innovations in the Nikon D3300. Therefore, I believe that Nikon D3300 is a logical continuation of Nikon's amateur series of cameras, while all the improvements are expected and do not have any major innovations.

17.08.2016/3300/XNUMX a replacement was introduced for the DXNUMX represented by D3400.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Jury

 

 

Comments: 284, on the topic: Review of Nikon D3300

  • Evdokia

    Good afternoon, Arkady, can you please tell me how you think it is possible with such a technique and a 35, 1,8 lens to go into business? Take pictures of people, subject

    • B. R. P.

      It will be difficult with one 35 1,8.

      • Evdokia

        Yes, probably))) But is it possible? Or is it impossible in principle to enter commerce with such a technique? And whichever lens you recommend, well, so that it is not so difficult))

        • B. R. P.

          I think, in principle, it is possible. For a subject, if it's not something small, 35mm 1,8 can be removed + lighting is also important. As for shooting people, it depends on what it will be. Reportage (wedding) here is better zoom, at least 17-50 2,8 from Sigma \ Tamron. For portraits, the same zoom at 50mm. will give the opportunity to remove.

        • Novel

          Well, we have a New Year's corporate photographer filmed at 35 / 1.4, for example. Full frame. It worked out and she was even paid for it - dancing there, performances, food - everything can be filmed if desired. And with the skill - it's also interesting to shoot. But I did not see anything interesting, these were not photographs, but images. Without blunders, but also without a drop of imagination.

          At the summer corporate party, she was the same, but with some kind of zoom, because the area is large and you can't run after everyone especially. When to jump from general to close-up.

          Commerce is a very difficult concept to unambiguously offer a lens. Depends on what you are shooting and the style of your shooting. For a passport photo, for example, a fixed camera and your 35 / 1.8 on a crop (well, or there 50 / 1.8), an umbrella and a flash are enough. For rings and jewelry - a decent makrika. For a fashion shoot, you can get by with something like 24-105 full frame and 17-55.

          The wedding is the most stressful, it is better to have two cameras there, and of the same type and three or four lenses to keep one the most suitable moment, and the second to take larger or smaller, and both should be at hand, then you will not miss the frame.

          • Evdokia

            Oh, no weddings, not in life)) People mean some kind of family photosets, portraits, subject, it's just that I'm interested in all this, I love it, but I strive, I have no self-confidence, it is clear that I need to study and study again, but sometimes you think , and not whether to start already practicing and practicing, not being afraid of anything, but everywhere BUT ... starting with the technique

            • Ivan

              To begin with, you must at least learn the Russian language.

              • Evdokia

                Thank you, Ivan, next time I will be more attentive, I was in a hurry. I hope the blood has not gone out of your eyes because of my missed soft signs)

            • Victor

              It is necessary to begin to practice. Without practice, all your purchases will mean absolutely nothing.

              • Evdokia

                thanks a lot

  • Den

    Hello! Can you tell me, please, the Nikon D3300 camera lay idle for a week, today I took it in my hands and found that its autofocus stopped working in the viewfinder mode, what could be the problem? And in the lifeview mode, everything works well. The camera didn’t hit, it didn’t flood.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Very strange behavior. Difficult to tell.

      • Den

        Moreover, the focusing ring is fully scrolled, does not jam, does not twitch, and manual focusing moves freely. Updated to the latest firmware, the same (

      • Den

        I also noticed that the image in the viewfinder is slightly darkened. He took off the lens, raised the mirror, and it seemed that the second mirror, small, somehow twitched strangely. Raised / lowered a couple of times and it worked. Maybe, really, something just stuck.

        • Timothy

          A darkened viewfinder window occurs when the battery is dead or removed. Perhaps the camera is discharged or there was a power glitch.

          • Victor

            For d3300 (and similar ones), the picture in the viewfinder does not depend on the presence / absence of a battery.

  • Alexander

    Hello, please help. There is an option to purchase nikon D90. D3200. D3300 with 18-105 lens, the price is about the same, It is supposed to be used for personal purposes, i.e. shoot on vacation, travel. Mostly a photo, occasionally a video. What is better? And with this use, do you need a second lens? if so, which one is better, there is Galios-44M, though without fitting for nikon. Thank you

    • Specialist

      Hello. If you do not plan to study deeply sovr. photography, meticulously mastering the control of a digital camera, then I would not recommend the D90. Plus, it's bigger and heavier than the 3000s, which isn't desirable for travel. When you shoot with an 18-105 lens for a year, see what focal lengths are the most popular - you can think about a more specialized lens. 3200 or 3300 - almost no difference.

  • Novel

    A good amateur camera, although there are photos very, very often) ...

  • Gennady

    The camera is excellent, I have been shooting with it for the sixth year ...
    The only thing I would like to do is change the pentamirror to a pentaprism…. But I can't find the answer - is it possible.??

    • Viktre

      Of course available. Sell ​​3300, buy 7100/7200

    • Dima

      Or maybe add a screwdriver and an af from the d500?)

  • Andrei

    I disagree that it is the same with the D3100, the detailing with the new matrix loses a lot, especially with fixes. I myself have everything from D60 to D800, but the D5100, D3200, D3300 are super sharp. I didn’t betray attention before, until I started using the same lenses on different cameras. First I noticed it on the D300S, then I began to notice it on others. I usually ran with D90, D300S, but the sharpness of 3300 and 5100 really hit me, unfortunately moral old age makes itself felt, maybe it doesn’t matter to everyone, but 3300 is definitely worth buying without even comparing with 3100, painfully different indicators

    • Andrei

      currently in use d60,d90,d7000,d3000,d3100,d3300,d5000,d5100,d5200. So here is only a comparative part)

      • Dima

        Of all this, the d3300 and d5200 are only interesting because at least the new matrices are adequate and not this emerald green one like on the d7000\d5100

  • Dima

    This Vanguyu camera will be the successor to the D40 legend. They just haven’t understood everything yet) Small with a very cool sensor, not overloaded with unnecessary things)

    • Dmitry Kostin

      If only it were convenient to work with manual lenses - for example, Helios 44 :)

      • Dima

        I already bought it second hand) So far the camera is very pleasing, but it’s too early to say anything. I was very pleased with the dimensions and weight, and most importantly, even Nikon’s younger carcasses are coolly made, everything is tactilely very decent. And most importantly, the new matrix seems to finally transmit green normally, a few test frames from the window and everything is just fine, the greens are super, the clouds do not fall into the blue (as the d5100 liked to do) I really liked the fast silent 18-55. The screen is super bright, juicy and not he’s lying, I liked the animation too) The grip is surprisingly very comfortable, even though it’s small.

        But there was a fly in the ointment, there is no auto-bracketing, for me this is almost critical. I was horrified to learn that he was not and is not in episode 3000. Canon doesn’t allow itself such bullying) Well, it doesn’t matter, I still want to test the camera properly.

        As for manuals, Nikon a priori was not particularly convenient, firstly because of the working distance, and secondly, for such lyels there is Canon, or at least Pentax. Everything is fine there.

      • Dima

        Well, many more amateurs, and they usually take this, will never appreciate a good matrix there, because they shoot everything in an automatic machine with 99% burn. And they won’t buy lenses for 1000 bucks.

  • Dima

    I still can’t walk the camera with normal light) But so far it’s surprising that it’s the right color that they were going for and it determines the BB surprisingly accurately. Green is definitely not as poisonous as d5100 and d90.

  • Dima

    Another cat

    The cats turned out to be quite fun to photograph)

  • Dima

    Walked a bit

  • Eugen

    Dmitriy! What lens did you take the D3300 to?

    • Dima

      Yes basic 18-55 AF-P

  • Regina

    Good afternoon.
    Qual a lente de zoom adequada para o modelo (D3300)? Tenho a lente 18×55, quero uma “super zoom”. E qual o modelo certo de parasol?

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