Nikon D3300 Digital SLR Camera (24.2 MP, 3 inch LCD) - Black

Having originally gone for a Canon 1000D four years ago, I grew increasingly frustrated with the very poor image quality, so I've sold all my Canon kit and have switched to Nikon's D3300. I am a beginner photographer/astro-photographer.This is an entry level or upper entry level camera which outcompetes Canon's alternatives in the form of the 1200D and 100D. Although slightly bigger than the 100D which was marketed as the world's smallest DSLR, you wouldn't really think so if the cameras were put side by side. In terms of image quality, you get 24mp versus 18mp resolution in those two other models, but on top of this the sensor gives you 35% more image quality, 11% more colour depth, over DOUBLE the low light ISO sensitivity (half your exposure time), and 14% more dynamic range (an image shows a greater range of light levels rather than everything either dark or light). Check Dxomark scores, which are lab tests done on cameras in a controlled environment using high tech software and sensors if you want to verify these numbers.The body feels solid yet light, grips in the hand very nicely and has intuitively placed buttons. The buttons have a nice clicky feel to them, and I particularly like the column of buttons on the left side of the screen. It has some nice features, the most notable of which is that you can apply many fun filters to your images on the camera. One of these is a 'miniature effect', where the top and bottom bands of the image are blurred as per your input to give a cool artistic effect, and in movie mode at 1080P HD resolution it compresses time by 15x so that a 45 minute movie turns into a 3m movie - making everything appear miniaturised and fast. On the auto modes any beginners will be able to use this camera, and the auto focus is top notch. If you know what you are doing with a camera, it has all the features that you would expect, including mirror lockup (it says for cleaning) if you want to be taking astrophotos. Video quality and sound is excellent. Make sure you have a high speed memory card otherwise it won't be able to record more than a small snippet of HD video. Either get a SHXC or SDHC (UHS-I) card of class 10 speed.The kit lens provided is a new lens released with this camera. When not in use, it compacts down to just a few inches, which is really handy when walking around or storing the camera. You just pop it out via a release button and then start focusing. The quality really is superb, and this lens if not supplied with the camera costs £170. If you are looking for your first camera, I highly recommend this.

Way back in the day, like 40 years ago, I was a keen photographer. With my Kodak Retina with a Zeiss lens and compure shutter I managed to learn a great deal about exposure, apertures, ev numbers, light meters and I even dabbled in developing and printing my own pictures. Back then it was a dream to be able to afford to own a decent SLR camera. For the next decades I carried on with ain't and shoot.Jump forward 40 years and at last I can afford a DSLR, but which one? Things have move on so much that your brain spins when you do the research. Then along comes Nikon with an offer I couldn't refuse. Just because I purchased a nice S9100 a couple of years ago they offered me £100 cash back if I bought a new D3300. When I looked at the reviews and features of the camera, features I could not have dreamed of 40 years ago, it was a no-brainer.And whilst I agree with another reviewer that it makes sense to wait a while for the price to come down, I have to say I have no regrets in buying it now. It is a superb camera, easy to handle, easy to operate, takes fabulous pictures and even has a 'newbie' guide as well. result! I haven't forgotten all I learnt back then regarding framing, lighting etc., but for the most part that's all you need as the camera can handle the rest. But when it comes to that special shot it has the features to give superb results too as you can set it to manual completely and have total control. If this sort of camera had been around when I were younger maybe I might have had a different career.This is a stonking camera for the money, despite some saying it is overpriced. If you are looking for an entry level DSLR that will allow you to develop your skills towards the professional level, look no further. Highly recommended.

Build Quality=======================The camera feels very solid and well built even though it's all plastic. The grip in particular is excellent. Attaching and detaching the lens is easy and gives a satisfying click which removes all doubt of whether or not the lens is secured in place.Still Images=======================The camera produces outstanding images in any situation you throw at it. The detail is good from the center all the way to the edges. The quality of image is good enough to do large prints. The built in flash is very good for darker or night shots.Lens=======================The kit 18-55 VR lens is very good. There's not a massive zoom (approximately 3x in consumer terms), but with the huge image size, you can easily afford to crop in post, to achieve more of a zoom. The image stabilised lens is worth having, but it won't cure the most shaky of users.Video=======================The actual video quality is excellent, but this is my niggle with the camera - the auto focus is very loud and is audible in the video footage and as such, is very distracting when playing the video. The sound is like tapping a metal folk on a tin can constantly and makes the camera feel cheap.This isn't an issue if you plan to throw music over your footage, or want to use an external micropohone, but I can't see many amatuer photographers using an external mic, unless you're a professional on a tight budget.Note that even if you're not recording video, the auto focus is still noisey, so beware if you're going somewhere that won't tolerate noise.I also found it was quite slow to focus as you move the camera around. For example, I panned about 180 degrees indoors and each time the camera was almost in focus, it then started to refocus because of the panning. The result was the whole 180 degrees were out of focus. For this reason, I decided to return the camera but I appreciate that some won't care so much about the video on a DSLR.Battery Life=======================Nikon quote over 700 shots, and they aren't wrong. It goes on forever, even when using live view. The battery charges in around two hours, which is very respectable.Size and Portability=======================The camera is smaller than most DSLRs, and when the lens is folded away it's even smaller, which brings me to my next point. The collapsible lens in theory sounds good, but in practice I would prefer to have the lens ready to go for quick snaps. You're only saving a few cm when the lens is collapsed, and in that state, you can't even browse the menus or settings. I found it undesirable to have to extend the lens and then return to the zero zoom state before I could compose the shot.If size is an issue then currently the smallest DSLR is the Canon 100D, although it's arguably not a great deal smaller than the Nikon D3300 because Canon only reduced the body size not the lens, and when you have the standard Canon lens (which isn't compact) the reduction isn't much. The difference in weight with the kit lens between the Nikon and Canon is about 54g, which is roughly the weight of a shot glass.Features and Usage========================The camera has most of the features of pro DSLRs. The huge 24MP and large sensor dwafs its Canon rivals (although MPs alone aren't a direct indication of quality). It does have the "consumer" features such as effects that you'd probably try once then never use. There is a guide mode, aimed at beginners, but I'd suggest just getting stuck in and play with the settings. Also, YouTube is your fiend, where you can find many tutorials and general how-to's.Nice To Have's========================At this price point, there's a few things you'd like to have, notably an articulating or touch screen but I suppose Nikon need to differentiate the entry level D3000 series.Summary========================The value for money on this camera is arguably unbeatable, you get a huge range of features at this price point, compared to its rivals. If you can live with the focus noise then I'd recommend this camera to anyone from the absolute beginner, up to advanced enthusiasts that don't want to step up to the 5000 or 7000 series.

A second hand camera in excellent condition