One of the most well-liked digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) offered by Nikon is the D3400, which takes a straightforward approach to its design. Even though it is compatible with many fantastic Nikon lenses and provides complete control over aspects like exposure and focus, the plan’s primary goal was to make it as user-friendly and portable as possible.
This model takes the place of its predecessor, the D3300, an excellent DSLR for entry-level photographers. So, what exactly has changed? To begin, the device’s overall weight has been reduced somewhat, and the battery life has been significantly improved. On the interior, there is also a smattering of other features that, collectively, make it even more enticing.
Nikon D3400 Features
The D3400 is equipped with a sensor that has a resolution of 24 megapixels, which is now one of the most prevalent pixel counts for interchangeable-lens cameras. We also have the same thing built into competing models such as the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 and EOS 200D, all the way up to professional cameras such as Sony’s A7 III – and, of course, Nikon’s D750 and Z6.
The fact that the sensor inside the D3400 does not have an optical low-pass filter is a very encouraging sign. This indicates that it catches a little bit more detail than it usually would, which, in turn, implies that your subjects should seem sharper when you view photographs at their full size in Photoshop or using software that is comparable to it.
Nikon D3400 Build Quality
Although Nikon intended the D3400 to be compact and lightweight, the company ensured a sufficient grip to allow users to hang on to the camera. It is also possible to rest the thumb on the back of the camera without accidentally activating any of the controls, which is not something that all cameras can accomplish.
The model is one of the lightest single-lens reflex cameras available, weighing only 445 grams with its battery and memory card installed. That’s only 9 grams more than Canon’s EOS Rebel T100 / EOS 4000D, so in all practical terms, they’re on par with one another.
It is also almost 200g lighter than the Pentax K70 model, even though the K70 model provides sensor-based image stabilization and weather sealing, both of which are absent from this model.
Nikon D3400 Performance
We were relieved to discover that the metering on the D3400 did not tend to overexpose when confronted with a predominately dark subject. However, just like the metering on many other DSLRs, it does appear to have a slight tendency toward underexposure when presented with brighter areas.
Any intervention, however, is quick and uncomplicated thanks to the top plate feature, a specialized exposure compensation button that collaborates with the command dial on the rear of the device.
You can also utilize Active D-Lighting to bring back a sense of equilibrium to situations with shadow features that are a bit too dark, owing to the presence of backlighting. The image that can be found below is an excellent illustration of this.
The camera’s performance in Auto White Balance is pretty good, with only a few minor inaccuracies occurring during our study. Although the performance in the notoriously challenging mixed natural and artificial conditions remained impressive, it fared better than predicted under artificial lighting, with just a little warmth away from select images. However, the performance was still commendable overall.
Nikon D3400 Image Quality
It is possible to record an excellent degree of detail in photographs with a Nikon camera since no optical low-pass filter is placed in front of its sensor. This is especially true if you use a high-quality prime lens, a macro optic, or one of Nikon’s professional-oriented zooms.
The standard of the 18-55mm VR kit lens is one factor that brings down the overall image quality, notably at the wide-angle and telephoto ends of the zoom range. However, if you pair the D3400 with a set of high-quality lenses, you can create photographs with exceptional levels of detail, such as the one seen below.
When the aperture is wide open, the images are less crisp, particularly in the four corners and around the frame’s borders. However, when the lens is set to a focal length in the middle range, it is possible to get high excellent sharpness in the central portion of the frame.
Both lateral chromatic aberration and curvilinear distortion may be seen in Raw files, even though JPEGs correctly and automatically correct both issues. This is typical of many kit lenses of a similar design.
Nikon D3400 Specs
| Body type | Compact SLR |
|---|---|
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Other resolutions | 4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000 |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Expeed 4 |
| ISO | Auto, 100-25600 |
| White balance presets | 12 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal, Basic |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View |
| Digital zoom | No |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 11 |
| Lens mount | Nikon F |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 921,000 |
| Touch screen | No |
| Screen type | TFT-LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.57× (0.38× 35mm equiv.) |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Aperture priority | Yes |
| Shutter priority | Yes |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes |
| Subject / scene modes | Yes |
| Built-in flash | Yes (Pop-up) |
| Flash range | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe or wireless) |
| 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 |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot AF-area |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | No |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone | Mono |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | No |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | SnapBridge (Bluetooth only) |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone or wireless remote) |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 1200 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 445 g (0.98 lb / 15.70 oz) |
| Dimensions | 124 x 98 x 76 mm (4.88 x 3.86 x 2.99″) |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | No |
| GPS | None |
Nikon D3400 Verdict
One of the most impressive single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) on the market now is the Nikon D3400. It has several flaws, but it performs the functions for which it was designed exceptionally effectively. The D3400 has a very long battery life, a reliable autofocus mechanism, a very compact design, and very high image quality. Additionally, it is pretty simple to use, even for users who have never used a digital camera.
