Nikon D3200 Photo Settings: A Beginner’s Guide

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The quick answer

My Nikon D3200 photo settings start with NEF (RAW) for photos I plan to edit, Standard Picture Control, a low practical ISO and matrix metering. In the video I normally use Direct sunlight white balance and adjust RAW files later. Auto white balance is an easier starting point if your light changes or you shoot JPEGs.

For a ready-to-share photo, choose JPEG Fine and Large image size. If you want both an editable file and a JPEG, choose NEF (RAW) + JPEG Fine. These settings are starting points, so adjust them for the light and subject in front of you.

Watch my complete D3200 photo settings walkthrough on YouTube

In this guide: Starting setup | RAW and JPEG | Color | ISO | Focus | FAQs

Nikon D3200 photo settings to start with

Press MENU and select the camera icon for the Shooting menu. These are the choices I would start with:

• Image quality: NEF (RAW) for editing, JPEG Fine for sharing, or NEF (RAW) + JPEG Fine for both.
• Image size: Large when choosing a JPEG-only quality setting.
• Picture Control: Standard.
• White balance: Direct sunlight is my usual RAW workflow in the video; try Auto for changing light.
• ISO: Start at 100 in good light, then raise it when needed for a sharp, properly exposed shot.
• Active D-Lighting: Off for my editing workflow; try On for JPEGs in contrasty scenes.
• Auto distortion control: On when available with a compatible lens.
• Color space: sRGB for a straightforward sharing workflow.
• Noise reduction: I leave it off when editing; compare On for JPEGs at higher ISO.
• Viewfinder AF area: Single-point for a stationary subject; try dynamic-area for movement with an appropriate focus mode.
• Metering: Matrix.

Available options can change with the mode dial, lens, focus mode and other settings. You do not have to reset your shooting menu to follow this guide.

Choose RAW, JPEG or both

Under Image quality, I choose NEF (RAW) because I bring my photos into Lightroom and make adjustments there. RAW gives you more flexibility for changes such as white balance and tonal adjustments, but files are larger and need compatible software to process.

If you do not plan to edit, JPEG Fine is a more convenient choice. The camera processes the picture and produces a smaller file that is easier to share. Under Image size, choose Large for the full 6,016 × 4,000-pixel JPEG. Medium and Small can save space when you do not need the full resolution.

Not sure which workflow you want? NEF (RAW) + JPEG Fine saves both versions for each photo, using more card space. On the D3200, image size is fixed at Large with this combined setting. Image size is also unavailable with RAW alone, because the NEF is recorded at full size.

Picture Control and white balance

I leave Picture Control on Standard in this walkthrough. It is a sensible starting look for JPEGs; Neutral is less punchy and Vivid adds more color and contrast. Try them and choose the look you like. The setting affects JPEG rendering and the camera preview, while RAW gives you room to change the appearance in compatible editing software.

White balance controls how warm or cool the image looks. In the video, I normally use Direct sunlight and make changes to my RAW files afterward. For changing indoor and outdoor light, Auto is a practical starting point. JPEG shooters should check the color in camera because large changes are less flexible afterward.

ISO and Auto ISO

In good light I generally start at ISO 100, sometimes moving to 200 or 400. Higher ISO can bring more visible noise, but keeping ISO low is not worth a blurry or badly underexposed photo. Raise it when the light, lens and shutter speed demand it.

I usually set ISO myself. If you prefer Auto ISO sensitivity control, the D3200 lets you set a maximum sensitivity. In the video I use ISO 800 as an example ceiling, not a rule for every scene. A low ceiling can leave too little light for the shutter speed you want, so check the result and raise the ceiling when needed.

The minimum shutter speed option helps guide Auto ISO in the applicable exposure modes. It is a target, not a guarantee: if the camera reaches the maximum ISO and there still is not enough light, it may use a slower speed. Moving subjects and longer lenses often need faster speeds than a still subject.

Active D-Lighting, distortion and noise reduction

I normally leave Active D-Lighting off for my RAW editing workflow and suggest trying it on for JPEGs in high-contrast light. Compare both settings to see which rendering you prefer. It can adjust exposure before the photo is taken, so it can affect a RAW capture too; it is not simply a removable JPEG filter.

I recommend enabling Auto distortion control when the option is available with your lens. It corrects certain geometric distortion, such as bowed lines. It is not a general correction for dark corners or every lens flaw, and it may be unavailable with some lenses.

For JPEGs, try Noise reduction on if high-ISO grain bothers you. Smoothing can also soften detail, so compare the results. I leave it off when I plan to handle noise during editing.

Focus through the viewfinder

Choose an AF-area mode that suits your subject. With single-point AF, you select the point and place it on what you want sharp. It is a useful starting point for a person sitting still or a stationary object.

With dynamic-area AF, you choose a starting point and the camera can use surrounding points if the subject briefly leaves it. It is intended for moving subjects and is not available with single-servo AF (AF-S). Availability depends on the focus mode and camera settings, so check the focus indicator and review your photos.

I turn the AF-assist illuminator off because I find the light distracting. It can help the camera focus in some dark situations, so leave it on if that is useful to you.

Metering and flash

I use matrix metering as an everyday starting point. The camera evaluates a broad area of the scene, but a bright background or deep shadows can still leave your subject too dark or too bright. In a mode that supports it, adjust exposure compensation and take another shot.

Center-weighted metering gives more weight to the center; spot metering measures a much smaller area around the selected point. Neither guarantees a perfect exposure, so review the result. For the built-in flash, TTL is the automatic option; manual flash control lets you choose the output.

Before you shoot

1. Choose RAW, JPEG Fine or RAW + JPEG Fine for your workflow.
2. Set white balance for your light and check your first photo.
3. Start at a low ISO, but raise it when you need a faster shutter speed.
4. Put the focus point on your subject and confirm focus.
5. Review sharpness and exposure, then change one setting at a time.

If a menu option is confusing, highlight it and hold the camera's ? button for an explanation. For movie settings, watch my separate Nikon D3200 video settings tutorial.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use RAW or JPEG on the Nikon D3200?

Use RAW if you plan to edit and want more flexibility. JPEG Fine is easier for sharing straight from the camera. RAW + JPEG Fine saves both, at the cost of more storage.

Why is image size unavailable?

The D3200 records RAW at full size. It also fixes the JPEG at Large when RAW + JPEG Fine is selected. Choose a JPEG-only image quality if you want to select Medium or Small.

What ISO should I use for indoor photos?

Start as low as the light allows, then raise ISO until you can get a usable exposure at a shutter speed fast enough for your subject. Indoors, a sharper photo at a higher ISO can be more useful than a blurry photo at ISO 100.

Why is an autofocus option grayed out?

Check the focus mode, whether you are using the viewfinder or Live View, and the lens. For example, dynamic-area AF is unavailable in AF-S. Highlight an option and hold the ? button for more information.

My verdict

Start with the file format that fits how you share or edit, then concentrate on focus and exposure. The D3200 gives you plenty of options, but you do not need to change every menu item before taking your first photo.

Keep reading

• My Nikon D3200 review and photo examples
• Where to buy used cameras: KEH vs eBay vs MPB

Watch more camera tutorials on Adam Harig on YouTube.