Announced: | 17 Aug 2016 |
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Sensor Resolution: | 24Mp |
Sensor Type: | APS-C CMOS |
ISO: | 100-25600 |
Weight: | 395g |
Physical Dimensions: | 124 x 98 x 76 mm |
Viewfinder: | Optical (pentamirror) |
Screen Type: | 3" Fixed |
Video Resolutions: | 1920 x 1080 |
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Launched on the marked at the end of 2016, Nikon D3400 has long been considered the reference point among the entry level cameras, the model to look at. It is still a sought-after model by those who haven’t decided for a professional camera yet, but has chosen to take a step from bridge or compact cameras.
What’s the secret of Nikon D3400’s success? It’s not the cheapest one, nor the best in terms of technology, so? Probably, at Nikon, they’ve found the best possible compromise between budget and performance, especially since the price is not impossible and the quality is unquestionable. Compared to the 3300 model, Nikon D3400 is far lighter and has longer battery life, a “sexier” design, and is also far more powerful.
With an APS-C sensor, typical of entry level cameras, Nikon D3400 has 24.2 megapixel. ISO sensitivity between 100 and 25,600 is a big quality leap compared to D3300, which stops at 12,800. The processor is always Expeed 4 with burst mode of 5 fps and Full HD video recording up to 60p.
The Autofocus system of Nikon D3400 is based on 11 points and one single cross-shaped point: continuous AF mode is possible on one subject, as well as automatic focus in live view when you record a video clip. There is also manual mode.
The pentametric viewfinder frames 95% of the scene, while the LCD display is 3” and has 921,000 dots resolution.
Unfortunately, Wi-Fi is not integrated, but with SnapBridge you can bypass the problem of broadcasting the images wireless. There is energy-efficient bluetooth, though, to send images directly to smart devices.
One thing I always appreciate is the effort towards beginners: in this Nikon D3400, the guide mode has improved, with more intuitive tools useful for those who approach the world of digital cameras for the first time.
Until now, I’ve only talked about the qualities of Nikon D3400, but there have also been a few steps backwards compared to 3300. Nothing structural, by all means. For instance, cleaning the sensors is longer and complex, with photo shooting.
The comparison with the fiercest rival, Canon EOS 1300D / Rebel T6, still holds. Despite the lack of WiFi and touch-screen display.
Indeed, once tested, I have to say that the grip is wide enough to grab the camera body effortlessly, without the thumb being affected. The weight, 650 grams including battery and kit lens (395 grams is the camera body alone), is not too tiring. Better than Canon EOS 1300D / Rebel T6. Such a small camera body – 124 x 98 x 76 mm – doesn’t only have qualities, of course. It goes without saying that the biggest lenses create an unpleasant and not-functional imbalance. And the structure is definitely not the same of Nikon D5600.
In my opinion, however, the pros prevail in this Nikon D3400: the mode ring is easily rotatable, the buttons are stable and pleasant to the touch, the “guided-mode” button is at hand and gives you confidence.
The AF Multi CAM 1000 system at 11 points of Nikon D3400 is not new among the models of this Japanese company. It’s adequately silent, fast in focusing the subject, with Assist Lamp that makes low light conditions less problematic. It works perfectly, then.
In principle, a few minutes test is enough to see that the AF of Nikon D3400 keeps up with a moving subject in a scene. In live view it’s slower – it is renown that many Canon models are better from this point of view – but with a little exercise it won’t be so relevant.
Another thing that positively surprised me – knowing many entry level models – is the excellent exposure of Nikon D3400. Let me clarify: with dark subjects, overexposure is acceptable. The opposite, underexposure, is not quite as good, but the compensation button, together with the back ring, solves every problem in this sense. If you’re expecting something tremendous for action photography, instead, Nikon D3400 might disappoint you. The modest 5 frames per second, in fact, makes it an entry level camera fully-fledged.
I’ve found a properly bright viewfinder and a non-touch 3” LCD display – when Nikon D3400 was launched, touch-screen displays were not common – that reproduces faithfully images and details. Chapeau.
Regarding videos, they’re 2k. No demerit on this one, neither particularly impressive performance.
Instead, I’d like to praise the battery life of Nikon D3400, longer than almost all the competitors within the entry level models. After two-days test… three bars out of four.
The test with the standard kit with 18-55 VR lens doesn’t prove anything but the fact that basic lenses significantly reduce the quality of the images. But with high-quality lenses, Nikon D3400 is very satisfying in terms of sharpness and details able to amaze those who come from a bridge or a compact camera. And isn’t it the ultimate goal of an entry level camera?
My final opinion on Nikon D3400 is extremely positive and since mine is not a lone voice, there’s a reason for that. Considered, as it should be, an entry level camera, D3400 is more than enough for those who approach the DSLR world. With a light and easy to handle camera body, more than decent technical features and an aggressive price, it’s no surprise that this camera has become a little classic of the Japanese company.
Review | compare Nikon D3400 with | overall score | Portrait | Landscape | Sport | Street | Everyday | |
NikonD3400 | 55 | 49 | 47 | 52 | 63 | 64 | $695.00 | |
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CanonEOS 90D | 65 | 54 | 52 | 66 | 70 | 75 | buy on | |
CanonEOS Rebel SL3 | 60 | 51 | 49 | 54 | 68 | 71 | buy on | |
CanonEOS Rebel T8i | 59 | 51 | 49 | 57 | 66 | 69 | buy on | |
PentaxKF | 58 | 51 | 50 | 55 | 63 | 67 | buy on |
The Nikon D3400 is a DSLR camera launched on 08/17/2016.
Technically speaking, the Nikon D3400 ranks in the average of its category, scoring 55 overall. The Nikon D3400 weights 395 gr and spans 124 x 98 x 76 mm. This means that it is particularly light and small, indeed one of the most handy options within its category.
Going into details, the Nikon D3400 behaves better than average in its category for:
On the contrary, the performance of Nikon D3400 is below the category average in:
However, the technical performance of your camera should be put in context. Indeed, depending on the type of photography you are interested in, each individual camera feature can impact your pictures to a different extent. This is the reason why we developed the iCamRank. iCamRank has been designed to weight all the individual technical specifications of each camera in the camerarace database, depending on different shooting conditions. Thus, here is what we suggest, depending on the photography type you like most:
Last but not least, the price. You can find the Nikon D3400 sold on Amazon for a price comprised between 695.0 USD and 1099.0 USD, which is in the average for this camera category.
Overall, Nikon D3400 is a good value for money. However, alternatives are also available, which you may want to take into consideration before taking the final decision. Click here to see alternative options.
Sensor Type
CMOS
Sensor Size
APS-C
Sensor Dimensions
23.5 x 15.6 mm
Sensor Area
366.6 mm2
Sensor Resolution
24 Mp
Max Image Resolution
6000 x 4000
Max Native ISO
25600
Min Native ISO
100
RAW Support
Manual Focus
Lens Mount
Nikon F
Number of Lenses
280
Focal Length Multiplier
1.5
Screen Type
Fixed
Screen Size
3.0"
Screen Resolution
921Kdot
Live View
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Resolution
None
Viewfinder Coverage
95
Viewfinder Magnification
0.56
Min Shutter Speed
30s
Max Shutter Speed
1/4000s
Continuous Shooting
5fps
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Exposure Compensation
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization
Built-in Flash
Flash Range
12.0
Max Flash Sync
1/200s
Flash Modes
Auto Auto slow sync Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction Auto with red-eye reduction Fill-flash Off Rear-curtain sync Rear-curtain with slow sync Red-eye reduction Red-eye reduction with slow sync Slow sync
External Flash
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
DxO Overall Score
86
DxO Color Depth
24.8
DxO Dynamic Range
13.9
DxO Low Light ISO
1192
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF MultiArea
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points
11
Number of Cross Focus Points
0
Video Resolutions
1920 x 1080 (60 50 30 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60 50 fps) 640 x 424 (30 25 fps)
Max Video Resolution
1920x1080
Video Formats
MPEG-4 H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Wireless Connectivity
No
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Environmental Sealing
Water Proof
Dust Proof
Shock Proof
Crush Proof
Freeze Proof
Weight
395g
Physical Dimensions
124 x 98 x 76 mm
Battery Life
1200
Battery Type
Battery Pack
Battery Model
EN-EL14a
Self Timer
Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures))
Timelapse Recording
GPS
Storage Type
SD SDHC SDXC
Storage Slots
1
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