Capturing the Perfect Shot: A Guide to the Nikon D3300 Camera

Looking for a high-quality camera that can capture truly stunning pictures? Look no further than the Nikon D3300, a powerful and versatile DSLR camera that's perfect for both novice and professional photographers. In this blog post, we'll explore all the amazing features and benefits of the Nikon D3300, including high resolution, fast autofocus, and easy-to-use controls.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon D3300 article cover photo

Key Features

Apr 21 2014

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight430g
MSRP$649USD

Other similar cameras

Nikon D5300 thumbnail

Nikon D5300

Released Feb 12 2014 | 24MP resolution

Nikon D300 thumbnail

Nikon D300

Released Mar 12 2008 | 12MP resolution

Nikon D3000 thumbnail

Nikon D3000

Released Dec 11 2009 | 10MP resolution

Overview of the D3300

Are you tired of taking subpar photos that don't truly capture the beauty of the world around you? If so, it may be time to invest in a quality camera that can help you take your photography skills to the next level. The Nikon D3300 is one such camera, boasting incredible image quality, speed, and versatility. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, the Nikon D3300 has everything you need to capture stunning photos that will take your breath away. So if you're ready to up your photography game, keep reading to learn more about this amazing camera and how it can help you capture the perfect shot.

Nikon D3300 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon D3300 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Excellent image quality
Good low-light performance
User-friendly interface
Lightweight and compact
Affordable price point
High resolution
Good battery life
Fast autofocus
Sharp and clear images

Cons

No touchscreen
Limited video recording features
No built-in Wi-Fi
No ISO control in video mode
Limited lens compatibility
No external microphone jack
Slow burst mode
Limited LCD viewing angle
No weather sealing

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon D3300

Weather sealed
Dimensions124 x 98 x 76mm
Weight430g
Thickness76mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon D3300 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentamirror)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution921k dots
Body typeCompact SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Nikon D3300 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

D3300 includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.57x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon D3300 has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Nikon D3300 has a native ISO range of 100 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - 25600. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Apr 21 2014

Announced

100 - 12800

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 25600
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

82 / 102

Color Depth

24.3 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.8 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1385 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon D3300 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the D3300 is above average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1.5x

Full frame equivalent

36mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life700 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL14a
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon D3300 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon D3300 uses the EN-EL14a model of battery pack. This is rated for 700 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon D3300 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Nikon D3300 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon D3300 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 11 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

View on Amazon

FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon D3300?

The Nikon D3300 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon D3300 weather sealed?

No the D3300 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon D3300 announced?

The Nikon D3300 was announced on Apr 21 2014

Does the Nikon D3300 have in-body image stabilization?

No the D3300 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon D3300?

The D3300 has a native ISO range of 100-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-25600 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

View on Amazon

Similar Camera Reviews

Nikon D3000 article cover photo

Nikon D3000: The Best Camera for Beginners

In this article, we will explore the Nikon D3000, a highly popular and affordable camera that is perfect for amateur photographers who are just getting started in the world of photography. We will cover its features, benefits and drawbacks, and provide helpful tips for those who are considering purchasing this camera.