Best Nikon DSLR for Beginners: D3100 vs D3200 vs D3300 vs D3400 (and the Step Up Models)

Best Nikon DSLR for Beginners: D3100 vs D3200 vs D3300 vs D3400 (and the Step Up Models)

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The quick answer

If you want the classic beginner Nikon, I'd start with the Nikon D3200. It was around $200 used when I made my review, it takes detailed 24MP photos, and it has a microphone input, which is rare at that price. On the tightest budget, the D3100 was around $75 in my video and still works well for photos, just not for video. The D3300 is worth considering used if you want a newer body with 1080p at 60fps and a mic input.

If you mainly shoot photos and can stretch to the same roughly $200, I'd actually compare the Nikon D7000 first. It has more direct controls, two card slots and a built-in autofocus motor for older Nikon lenses. The D7100, around $275 when I filmed, is the step up for more detailed photos.

Prices below are what I quoted when I filmed each video, not current offers. Used prices change constantly, so compare the full kit cost, including a lens, before you buy.

Watch my Nikon D3200 review

Watch the full video on YouTube

In this article

Nikon beginner DSLRs at a glance

Camera Price when I filmed Best for Main compromise
Nikon D3100 Around $75 used Photos on the smallest budget 14MP, 1080p at 24fps only, no mic input
Nikon D3200 Around $200 used Beginners who want 24MP photos and basic video No headphone jack; needs light or a faster lens indoors
Nikon D3300 Not quoted Photos plus occasional Full HD video Fixed, non-touch screen; video autofocus hunts
Nikon D3400 Not quoted Long battery life and phone transfers No microphone input
Nikon D50 Around $50 used A CCD camera with older Nikon lens support 6.1MP, small 2-inch screen, no video
Nikon D80 Under $100 used Handling and direct controls on a budget No Live View or video
Nikon D7000 Under $200 used Photo learners who want direct controls Basic video, older connections
Nikon D7100 Around $275 used Detailed photos for landscapes, portraits and events Bigger and heavier; dated video

Every camera here uses the Nikon F mount and a DX (APS-C) sensor, so lenses you buy for one will physically fit the others. Autofocus support is a different story, which I cover in the lens section.

Nikon D3100: the cheapest for photos

The D3100 came out in 2010 with a 14.2MP sensor, 1080p video at 24fps and about 3 frames per second. It was around $75 used when I made my video, and for photography on a tight budget it's still an excellent value. I got my best results at low ISO, around 100 to 200, so it's happiest in good light.

Video is where it falls behind. It only records 1080p at 24fps, video autofocus is slow, and there's no microphone input. If video matters, I'd look at a different camera, or honestly even a smartphone.

Compare used Nikon D3100 bodies at MPB

Read my full Nikon D3100 review.

Nikon D3200: the best value of the D3000 series

The D3200 jumps to a 24.2MP sensor, records 1080p at up to 30fps and shoots about 4 frames per second. Around $200 used when I reviewed it, I think it's still an impressive value, especially for beginners and students who want to learn manual settings.

The photos have a lot of detail. It's great in daylight or well-lit rooms, but in dimmer places I'd use a flash or a faster lens. For video, the 3.5mm microphone port is a real bonus at this price, though there's no headphone jack for monitoring audio. If you need 4K or more advanced video features, look elsewhere.

Compare used Nikon D3200 bodies at MPB

Read my full Nikon D3200 review.

Nikon D3300: newer video features

The D3300 keeps a 24.2MP sensor but adds 1080p at up to 60fps, and it keeps the external microphone input. In my review, I liked its 24-megapixel photos, the lens choices, the side-access SD card slot and the Full HD video for the money.

The limits are the fixed, non-touch screen and video autofocus. Face-priority autofocus hunted in my test, so I'd plan on checking focus yourself or using manual focus for video. I think it's a useful camera for learning photography if the used price and a compatible lens fit your budget.

Check a used Nikon D3300 body at KEH · Compare used D3300 listings at MPB

Read my full Nikon D3300 review.

Nikon D3400: what changed

I haven't reviewed the D3400, so I'll stick to what's different on paper. It has the same 24.2MP resolution and 1080p at up to 60fps as the D3300, but Nikon rates its battery for about 1,200 shots per charge, up from about 700 on the D3300. It also adds SnapBridge, which uses Bluetooth to send photos to your phone. There's no Wi-Fi.

The big trade-off is audio: the D3400 drops the external microphone input the D3300 had. If you plan to film with an external mic, the D3200 or D3300 makes more sense. If you only shoot photos and want the longer battery life, it's worth comparing.

If you already have one, my Nikon D3400 photo settings guide walks through the setup I'd use.

Even cheaper: Nikon D50 and D80

If you want to spend as little as possible, two older Nikons are worth a look. Neither records video, so these are photo-only cameras.

Nikon D50

The D50 was around $50 for the body in my video. You get a 6.1MP CCD sensor, an optical viewfinder, direct controls and a built-in autofocus motor, which lets it autofocus with certain older Nikon AF lenses. The 2-inch screen looked totally different from the actual image to me, so I wouldn't trust it to judge your final photo. I'd consider a working D50 near $50 if you want to learn still photography and are happy using the viewfinder.

Check Nikon D50 availability at MPB

Read my Nikon D50 review, or see how it stacks up in Canon Rebel XS vs Nikon D50.

Nikon D80

The D80 was my favorite camera to hold in my under $100 group because of its grip, controls and still photos. It has a 10.2MP CCD sensor and a body autofocus motor, but no Live View or video. I'd compare it if you care more about the shooting experience than about video, and I'd check current pricing with a compatible lens included.

Compare Nikon D80 bodies at MPB

Stepping up: Nikon D7000 and D7100

The D7000 series costs more, but it gives you more physical controls, two SD card slots and a built-in autofocus motor. If you mainly shoot photos, these can be a better buy than a newer entry-level body.

Nikon D7000

The D7000 was under $200 for a used body in my review. It has a 16.2MP sensor, up to 6 frames per second, an optical viewfinder and two card slots. I like the direct controls and the two card slots more than its basic video features, which top out at 1080p at 24fps. At around $200, it would be my first photo choice.

Compare used Nikon D7000 bodies at MPB

Read my full Nikon D7000 review.

Nikon D7100

I found the D7100 around $275 when I made my video, so I think of it as a roughly $300 camera. It's a strong used option if you mainly shoot photos, like landscapes, portraits, events and general photography. It has both a microphone input and a headphone output, but I wouldn't buy it specifically for video. The rugged build is both a strength and a weakness, since it makes the camera bigger and heavier.

Check Nikon D7100 availability at MPB · Check Nikon D7100 availability at KEH

Read my full Nikon D7100 review.

Which Nikon should you buy?

  • Lowest budget, photos only: the D3100 at around $75, or the D50 at around $50 if you want a CCD camera and older lens support.
  • Best all-around beginner Nikon: the D3200 at around $200, with 24MP photos and a mic input.
  • Photos plus some Full HD video: the D3300, if the used price is close to the D3200.
  • Mainly photos with more control: the D7000 at around $200, or the D7100 at around $275 for more detail.
  • Serious video: none of these. They're photo-first cameras, and their video autofocus is slow.

Your first lens: check the autofocus motor

This is the most important thing to know before buying a Nikon DSLR. The D3100, D3200, D3300 and D3400 don't have an autofocus motor in the body. They only autofocus with lenses that have their own motor, which on Nikon lenses are marked AF-S (some newer AF-P lenses also need a compatible body or firmware). Older AF and AF-D lenses will mount, but you'll have to focus manually.

The D50, D80, D7000 and D7100 have a body autofocus motor, so they can also autofocus with many of those older, often cheaper AF lenses.

For a first lens, I'd start with the 18-55mm kit zoom. A $50 body isn't a complete kit, and useful starter lenses were around $100 or more when I made my videos, so budget for the lens too. If you add a 50mm f/1.8 prime later for portraits, get the AF-S version if you have a D3000-series body.

Settings guides for each camera

Once you have your camera, these guides walk through the settings I'd start with:

Buying a used Nikon DSLR

These are all older cameras, so condition matters more than the model number. Before you buy:

  • Inspect the lens mount, battery compartment and doors for wear, impact or moisture.
  • Make sure it comes with the correct battery and charger, or price them in.
  • Compare a complete, usable kit rather than the cheapest body listing.
  • Check that the lens you want actually autofocuses on that body.

I compare several used retailers every time, because price, condition and included accessories change from day to day. My guide to where to buy used cameras covers KEH, eBay and MPB.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Nikon D3200 better than the D3100?

For most beginners, yes. The D3200 has a 24.2MP sensor instead of 14.2MP, 1080p at up to 30fps instead of 24fps, and a microphone input. The D3100 is the better buy only if the lowest price matters most and you mainly shoot photos.

Is the Nikon D3300 or D3400 better?

They share the same resolution and 1080p at 60fps. The D3400 has much longer rated battery life and Bluetooth transfers, while the D3300 keeps the external microphone input. If you'll use a mic for video, choose the D3300.

Do Nikon D3000-series cameras work with all Nikon lenses?

Most F-mount lenses will fit, but these bodies have no autofocus motor, so they only autofocus with lenses that have a built-in motor, like AF-S lenses. Older AF and AF-D lenses will be manual focus.

Is an old Nikon DSLR good for video?

Not really. Some have Full HD and a mic input, but video autofocus is slow on all of them. I'd buy these for learning photography, not for vlogging or content creation.

Should I get a D3000-series camera or a D7000?

If you mainly shoot photos, I'd compare the D7000 first at around $200. It has more direct controls, two card slots and a body autofocus motor. The D3200 is smaller and lighter, and its mic input makes it the better fit for basic video.

My verdict

For a beginner who wants the classic small Nikon, I'd start with a used D3200 around $200. Go with the D3100 if you want the cheapest way to learn photos, or the D3300 if you want newer video features and a mic input. If photos are your focus, compare the D7000 at the same price, or the D7100 if you want more detail. Whatever you pick, make sure your lens has its own autofocus motor if the body doesn't.

Keep reading

Watch more of my camera reviews and buying guides on FoxTailWhipz.

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