Updated (January, 2014): Compare the Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D300

Nikon D3200
Winner
Nikon D3200

70

vs
Nikon D300

65

Nikon D300
Runner-up
     
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3200

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
81.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
24.1 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.2 EV
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
921k dots
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D300

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
922k dots
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.62x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
6 fps
 
Differences | Recommendations | Cast your vote | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3200

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Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 81.0 vs 67.0
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 More than 20% better image quality
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
 Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Color depth Better color depth 24.1 bits vs 22.1 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 2 more bits of color
True resolution Much higher true resolution 24.2 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 2x more detail in your photos
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,131 ISO vs 679 ISO
Help
 The D3200 has a slight edge (0.7 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.2 EV vs 12 EV
Help
 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Size Smaller 125x96x76 mm vs 147x114x74 mm
Help
 Around 30% smaller
Weight Significantly lighter 505 g vs 925 g
Help
 Around 50% lighter
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The D3200's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Lowest price Cheaper $319.00 vs $1,699.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,381 cheaper (5.3x less)
Nikon D3200 Learn more about
the Nikon D3200

Advantages of the Nikon D300

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Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
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 Sealed to shoot in the rain
Focus points Significantly more focus points 51 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder 0.62x vs 0.50x
Help
 More than 50% larger viewfinder
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points 15 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Viewfinder coverage Much better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 95%
Help
 Around 10% better viewfinder coverage
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 6 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 50% faster continuous shooting
Battery life Longer battery life 1000 shots vs 540 shots
Help
 Around 90% more shots per battery charge
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 227 ms vs 276 ms
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 Around 20% less delay when taking photos
Built-in focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 300 ms vs 400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3"
Help
 Almost the same
Nikon D300 Learn more about
the Nikon D300
vs

recommendations

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Snapsort Recommends
Nikon D3200 Nikon D3200 70
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        vs
        65 Nikon D300 Nikon D300
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              similarities

              Compared to recent DSLRs

              Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
              Lens availability Many lenses available Help
              205 lenses
              Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
              D3200:400 ms
              D300:300 ms
              Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
              External flash not needed
              Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
              1
              HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
              You could do HDR manually
              Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
              D3200:12,800 ISO
              D300:6,400 ISO
              Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
              D3200:6,400 ISO
              D300:3,200 ISO
              Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
              Less flexible
              Sensor size Very small sensors Help
              D3200:APS-C 23.2x15.4mm
              D300:APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
              Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
              You could stitch photos in post
              Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
              Risk of blur
              Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
              D3200:1,131 ISO
              D300:679 ISO

              dxomark

              DXOMark

              competitors

              Shared Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Nikon D3300

              Nikon D3300

              Entry-level DSLR

              $597 with 18-55mm lens
              Panorama Creates panoramas in-camera
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Startup delay Has much more startup delay
              Compare the D3300 vs the D3200
              Compare the D3300 vs the D300
              Canon Rebel T3i

              Canon Rebel T3i

              Entry-level DSLR

              $480 - $774 body only

              $200 - $617 with 18-55mm lens
              Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
              Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3200
              Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D300
              Nikon D5200

              Nikon D5200

              Entry-level DSLR

              $597 - $647 body only

              $544 - $747 with 18-55mm lens
              Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
              HDR Has in-camera HDR
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the D5200 vs the D3200
              Compare the D5200 vs the D300
              Nikon D5100

              Nikon D5100

              Entry-level DSLR

              $400 - $670 body only

              $485 - $625 with 18-55mm lens
              Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
              HDR Has in-camera HDR
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the D5100 vs the D3200
              Compare the D5100 vs the D300
              Nikon D3100

              Nikon D3100

              Entry-level DSLR

              $380 - $427 with 18-55mm lens
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
              Compare the D3100 vs the D3200
              Compare the D3100 vs the D300
              Nikon D90

              Nikon D90

              Entry-level DSLR

              $575 - $629 body only

              $830 - $966 with 18-105mm lens
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the D90 vs the D3200
              Compare the D90 vs the D300
              Nikon D7000

              Nikon D7000

              Entry-level DSLR

              $701 - $840 body only

              $913 - $1,150 with 18-105mm lens
              Storage slots Has more storage slots
              Thickness Is thicker
              Weight Is slightly heavier
              Compare the D7000 vs the D3200
              Compare the D7000 vs the D300

              Nikon D3200 Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Canon EOS Rebel T5

              Canon EOS Rebel T5

              Entry-level DSLR

              $599 - $681 body only

              $499 - $823 with 18-55mm lens
              Weight Slightly lighter
              Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
              Dynamic range Less dynamic range
              Compare the EOS Rebel T5 vs the D3200
              Canon Rebel T5i

              Canon Rebel T5i

              Entry-level DSLR

              $599 body only

              $200 - $749 with 18-55mm lens
              Touch screen Has a touch screen
              HDR Has in-camera HDR
              Color depth Worse color depth
              Overall image quality Much worse image quality
              Compare the Rebel T5i vs the D3200

              Nikon D300 Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Nikon D300S

              Nikon D300S

              Pro DSLR

              $1,583 - $1,699 body only

              $1,897 with 18-55mm lens
              Movie format Shoots movies
              Color depth Better color depth
              Compare the D300S vs the D300
              Nikon D200

              Nikon D200

              Pro DSLR

              $687 with 18-200mm lens
              Color depth Better color depth
              Startup delay Slightly less startup delay
              Screen size Much smaller screen
              Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
              Compare the D200 vs the D300

              appearance

              Nikon D3200 Nikon D300
              Nikon D3200 Nikon D300
              Nikon D3200 Nikon D300

              discussion

              Nikon D3200
              D3200
              Nikon

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              Nikon D300
              D300
              Nikon

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