Discover the Ultimate Photography Experience with Nikon D3400: A Detailed Review

If you're a photography enthusiast who's looking for an excellent entry-level camera that delivers stunning results, the Nikon D3400 is an ideal choice. This camera is packed with features that can help you capture high-quality images and videos, whether you're a beginner or an advanced photographer. In this blog post, we'll take a comprehensive look at the Nikon D3400, including its key features, specifications, and performance. We'll also cover some essential tips on how to get the most out of this camera and why it's a top-rated option in the market.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon D3400 article cover photo

Key Features

Aug 17 2016

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight395g
MSRP$999USD

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Overview of the D3400

Photography is an art that requires a lot of skill and creativity. But it's often said that the equipment you use can make a big difference in your results. One camera that has caught the attention of many photography enthusiasts is the Nikon D3400. This entry-level DSLR camera is designed with features that can help capture stunning images and videos with minimal effort. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, the Nikon D3400 is a camera that delivers on performance and durability. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at this fantastic camera model and find out why it's a popular choice for photography enthusiasts all over the world.

Nikon D3400 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon D3400 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

High resolution sensor
Good low light performance
Fast autofocus
Lightweight and compact
Great battery life
Easy to use for beginners
SnapBridge software for easy photo sharing

Cons

No touchscreen
Limited video capabilities (no 4K)
No image stabilization in body
Limited lens compatibility
Only 11 autofocus points
Limited external controls for advanced users

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon D3400

Weather sealed
Dimensions124 x 98 x 76mm
Weight395g
Thickness76mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon D3400 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 D3400 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

D3400 includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.56x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon D3400 has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Nikon D3400 has a native ISO range of 100 - 25600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Aug 17 2016

Announced

100 - 25600

ISO Range

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

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

86 / 102

Color Depth

24.8 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

13.9 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1192 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon D3400 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, 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 D3400 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 Life1200 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL14a
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon D3400 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 D3400 uses the EN-EL14a model of battery pack. This is rated for 1200 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 D3400 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 D3400 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 D3400 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.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon D3400?

The Nikon D3400 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon D3400 weather sealed?

No the D3400 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon D3400 announced?

The Nikon D3400 was announced on Aug 17 2016

Does the Nikon D3400 have in-body image stabilization?

No the D3400 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 D3400?

The D3400 has a native ISO range of 100-25600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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