Nikon D3200 (with 18-55mm VR lens, Black)

• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 9 stars

  First dslr for me!

  by SHodapp55 on November 2, 2012

  Pros: + Resolution is excellent
  + AF is good for this kind of body
  + Small size and light weight
  + Active D-lighting
  + Good low-light performance
  + HD video capability plus microphone jack

  Cons: - No bracketing
  - Must buy with kit lens
  - Small body means uncomfortable grip

  Summary: I went with Nikon for my first dslr as I was given an old Nikon lens and this product was released right at the same time.
  
  I used to take ...

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  Summary: I went with Nikon for my first dslr as I was given an old Nikon lens and this product was released right at the same time.
  
  I used to take pictures years ago, but uni got in the way and now i have time to start again a bit more seriously.
  
  I know a fair bit about tech and liked the face that the canon 550 is basically a 600d without the flippy screen, so was available for less money. The new 650 looks like a major improvement with touch being added in. However, I love the build quality and image quality I am getting with the Nikon kit lens and indeed old manual lenses.
  
  I shoot raw and use lightroom 4 to develop the images and the detail retained is impressive.
  
  Had the camera for less than a month and used it when the weather allows, so im over 1000 shots and the learning curve for me has been non existent.
  
  Live view is a must have for me, its not always better than the viewfinder, but its a great feature for low angles, landscapes or any situation where you want to frame the shot precisely. The old springy switch on the 3100 is replaced with a regular button, which I was down about to begin with, but i like the button just as much (having held a 3100 about twice) and its still in the best location for it.
  
  I have yet to use the video mode for any real purpose. The creative possibilities there are good. The few times i have tried it is during a consort (in a marquee) and an acoustic set (in a barn, my musical settings have been obscure recently) and the audio was clear and true. The record button is on the top behind the shutter button, and its easy to get at, I prefer that to it being where the live view button is placed, as I use video much less.
  
  Also 24mp might be a trick to get people excited about the high count, but I like having the high resolution. As a last resort, I can crop without worrying too much and pick out the composition I was trying to get at the time. Noise and grain are dealt with extremely well and even at high ISO - up to and sometimes beyond 3200 - the results are pleasing, or at least mild enough to be easily recoverable in lightroom.
  
  Holding the camera is comfortable for me, the only flaw I could pick in the design is the aperture/exposure button location. Its behind the shutter release and to the right slightly. Its not horrible, but I would prefer it on the other side of the camera near the fn button (used to change ISO). I am left handed, and that might be the cause of that issue. The camera is not particularly heavy, I could carry this all day happily, whereas thats not true with bulkier pro dslrs.
  
  Battery life hasn't been as issue for me either, but make sure it is fully charged before you intend to use, as it may not last a full days intensive use!
  
  Everything else is well thought out and just works. All the menus are straight forward enough, and there are options available to setup the camera pretty much to whatever way you find it works best for you. Guide mode is not something I intend to use, but its very good at taking a step back and explaining all the controls and when or why to use them. Sample images are even used to explain the concepts further.
  
  Overall, if you are looking for a new dslr, want fantastic images, the ability to record quality video and perhaps learn to improve your photography after using a compact or bridge camera, this is for you. Nikon has a huge range of available lenses, some of which are affordable, but many of the better quality ones easily exceed the price of the camera. It is important to note that this is a dx format camera.
  
  Finally the camera has a crop factor of 1.5x. So every lens' focal length is multiplied by 1.5.
  
  For example the kit 18-55mm is approximately equiv to a 27 - 82mm lens in 35mm terms.
  
  For best deal of the Nikon D3200, I suggest you have to check at -> www.amazon.com/dp/B007VGGFZU/?tag=reviews.cnet.com-20
  
  Hope this helps as its way more complicated than it needs to be. If you get the camera, thankfully most of the details don't matter so much.

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  3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  The product is a poorly designed and a waste of money.

  by VSB312 on May 24, 2013

  Pros: the number of mega pixels

  Cons: See the letter sent to Nikon. As an FYI, Nikon's response was thanks for the email, but you are on your own.

  Summary: This email documents my significant dissatisfaction with a recently purchased Nikon D3200: it is a request for your assistance and suggestions.
  
  Without any reservation, I believed--given trade reviews and authorized ...

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  Summary: This email documents my significant dissatisfaction with a recently purchased Nikon D3200: it is a request for your assistance and suggestions.
  
  Without any reservation, I believed--given trade reviews and authorized vendor recommendations-- that replacing my 7 year old Nikon D70 with the new D3200 was a solid and wise choice. Anticipating a quality camera, I complemented the purchase with the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED and Capture NX2 software.
  
  My expectations for this camera were not met. Yes, the increased number of pixels offers greater control during the editing process. However, this camera, overall, is a significantly inferior product for someone who falls on the professional side of the prosumer market. In sharp comparison to my experiences with the D70, problems with the D3200 include:
  
  • Smaller is not better. This new more compact camera body creates ergonomic problems. For example, my hands cramp when the body is held for more than a few images. The outcome? Missed and/or unsatisfactory images.
  • Lighter is not better. Attaching any lens larger (e.g. AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED) than the included 18-55 mm lens produces a significantly imbalanced camera. Essentially, the camera with lens becomes way too front heavy. Adding an external a flash unit compounds the problem with a totally unwieldy camera that distorts most every image.
  • The D3200 construction is fragile and flimsy. The camera body—even with the most gentle care—appears built for gashes and similar problems. In contrast to my old D70, this external shell is primed for destruction, making me reticent to really use the camera
  • The lack of the internal auto focus/motor function. This was an invaluable function of my D70. Further, this deficit limits my selection of additional lenses.
  • The included 18-55mm lens requires replacing. For whatever reasons, the lens just doesn't provide adequate control to produce quality images. This is in sharp contrast with the basic lens with my D70. As this lens has little to no resale value, I will need to purchase a replacement lens in lieu of purchasing a more expensive telephoto or macro lens.
  • Digital video is both unnecessary and superfluous. This DSLR was purchased to capture images. Like the old adage, "A jack of all trades, is a master of none". If I were interested in HD video, I'd purchase a digital video camera. Rather than the video function, I would well prefer to have the internal focus/motor function included with my D70. Further, Nikon could always offer the video function as an add-on.
  
  BTW, the lens that comes with the camera is flimsy and needs to be replaced immediately.
  
  My dilemma: Today, my options today are limited. Essentially, my significant investment in this camera and lens, along with an additional lens and Nikon software, leaves me stuck with an unsatisfactory product. While my old D70 was always with me, I rarely use this D3200: currently, I have captured approximately 250-300 images since purchasing this product. Further, images taken with this camera proved unsatisfactory to (i.e., rejected by) my clients. Lastly, as the trade-in value for this nearly unused camera is minimal, I find myself rethinking my investment in Nikon products. In other words, the cost of any upgrade punishes me a long term Nikon user.
  
  Summary: If this were my first DSLR—and I didn't know better—I might well be satisfied. However, I do know better. This D3200, while offering a greater number of pixels, lacks the quality of my D70. Perhaps if Nikon invested more on creating a true camera upgrade, they might have created a truly great new step forward without taking this serious, prosumer, two steps back.

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• 9 stars

  Second NIKON for me

  by surtan04 on April 15, 2013

  Pros: Small size compact and light
  Excellant resolution
  HD vedio capability and fast tracking
  High quality microphone Jack
  Excellant 18-105mm lens
  Performance in low light is good

  Cons: Kit lenses costly

  Summary: I am having this camera from last 6 months. Holding the camera is comfortable for me. I could carry this all day happily being a light camera.
  The viewfinder and ...

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  Summary: I am having this camera from last 6 months. Holding the camera is comfortable for me. I could carry this all day happily being a light camera.
  The viewfinder and live view, both are a great feature in it and are good to focus for different situations. Guide mode is of great use. It is very good at taking a step back and explaining all the controls and teaching when or why to use them.
  I have done vedio recording at a function. The vedio and audio was clear and true. The record button for vedio is on the top behind the shutter button which makes it easy to switch to recording or to click still photos.
  Battery life is a issue for me. Even when fully charged before you use, it will not last a full days use specially on recording of vedios. A range of lenses are available, but the price is too high and are costly.
  Overall, if you are looking for a new DSLR and learn to improve your photography, require good photos and the capability to record quality videos this is the perfect camera.

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• 10 stars

  Best To Learn Photography

  by Bhavan_86 on February 15, 2013

  Pros: Good quality photos
  Fast processor
  Lightwieght and easy to carry
  Good for videos
  Fast Image tracking while doing videos

  Cons: Kit Lenses

  Summary: Buy this camera but with a diffrent kit lens or buy sigma lens

  Summary: Buy this camera but with a diffrent kit lens or buy sigma lens

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