Nikon D3300

Not just ideal for D-SLR newcomers, the dinky D3300 is a seriously good travel camera as well

Around the back

Nikon D3300 + 18-55mm VR II

£390, $500

www.nikon.com

ften touted as a ‘beginner’s camera’ with its interactive Guide shooting mode, the D3300 nevertheless packs plenty of advanced features into its diminutive shell. At least, it’s pretty small for a full-blown D-SLR, especially when fitted with its retracting 18-55mm VR II kit lens.

Highlights include the same 24.2-megapixel image sensor and EXPEED 4 processor as the D5500. The shutter speed range and maximum drive rate are also the same, at 1/4000-30 secs and five frames per second respectively. However, the D3300 has a more basic 11-point autofocus system in which only the central point is cross-type (able to resolve detail in both vertical and horizontal planes).

OAs a DX-format D-SLR, the D3300 has an image sensor that’s physically larger than those in the 1 series and Coolpix cameras, bringing the promise of cleaner high-ISO images and better dynamic range. The optical viewfinder is a major attraction but, as with most modern D-SLRs, you can still compose shots on the LCD screen in Live View mode. Another bonus for travel photography is that the battery lasts for around 700 shots between charges, around double the staying power of most Nikon 1 and Coolpix cameras.

Performance

Autofocus isn’t really any faster than with the Nikon 1 cameras, at least when using the somewhat basic but compact 18- 55mm VR II kit lens. However, sharpness is noticeably better, there’s more detail in highlights and shadows, and low-light image quality at high ISO settings is significantly better. Overall, the D3300 is a great little performer.