Nikon's popular D3100
D-SLR is finally being put out to pasture. The newly announced D3200
looks a lot like the previous model on the outside, but a few key
differences differentiate the two cameras.
The most obvious is the sensor—the D3200 packs a 24-megapixel APS-C
CMOS sensor, up from the 14 megapixels found in the D3100. Its Expeed 3
image processor supports shooting at 4 frames per second. You can opt to
shoot at ISO 100 through 6400, with 12800 available as an expanded
mode, and the 11-point autofocus system will help to keep your shots
sharply in focus.
The camera retains the D3100's Guide Mode, which walks novice
shooters through camera settings in order to help them get the best shot
possible. A large, 3-inch LCD, packed with 921k dots, adorns the rear
of the camera. Live View is supported, as is 1080p30 and 1080p24 video
recording with full-time autofocus. New to this model is a microphone
input jack, so you are no longer limited to the camera's internal
microphone.
The company also announced a Wi-Fi add-on accessory for the D3200.
The WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter will sell for $59.95, and clips into
the side of the camera to add wireless file transfer and shutter
control. You can transfer files directly from the camera to your
smartphone, and control the camera using your phone from up to 50 feet
away. An Android app will be available in late May, with an iOS app set
to follow in late autumn.
The D3200 will be bundled with Nikon's AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm
f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens. It is set to hit the streets in late April for
$699.95. In addition to the standard black finish, the camera will also
be available in red. Nikon also announced a new AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G
lens. The optic is compatible with DX and FX cameras, and is currently
the fastest 28mm lens in Nikon's catalog. It will also sell for $699.95.
Nikon D3200 sensor
It seems that for Nikon, 2012 is the year of big numbers. After outing the 36 million pixel full-frame sensor in the D800, the D3200 with its 24.3 million pixel APS-C size sensor is another number that has the potential to excite users.
Nikon
says that the sensor is completely redesigned, and despite the huge
jump in pixel count, enjoys the same low levels of noise as the D3100.
Nikon is also keen to point out the potential to crop images
post-capture those 24 million pixels offer, which should be good news
for those reluctant to purchase larger zoom lenses.
Nikon D3200 processor
An
example of how top-end technology will trickle down a company's range,
the D3200 shares the same Expeed 3 processor as its bigger, and much
more expensive brothers, the Nikon D800 and Nikon D4.
It is this which gives the D3200, Nikon claims, fast processing speeds,
better full HD video performance and low noise capabilities.
Nikon D3200 guide mode
Aimed
squarely at those users who are new to DSLR photography, the D3200
contains an improved and upgraded Guide mode, designed to fully explain
to users how to achieve the looks they want.
The
company is very keen to shout about this feature, which helps
photographers learn key features of the camera in a quick and easy way.
It's not a D3100 replacement
Such
has been the success of the D3100 that it's staying in the range. This
effectively means that Nikon has expanded its entry-level offering,
giving consumers the choice between a budget model, and a more advanced
model in the D3200. The company says it will continue to market and sell
the D3100 alongside the new D3200 offering.
Nikon D3200 Wi-Fi capability
Users
have the option to purchase an additional adapter to give the D3200
Wi-Fi connectivity. This is an exciting prospect for those stepping up
from compact and mobile phone photography. Via a free app for Android,
with one to follow for iOS in the autumn, users can enjoy remote
shooting and uploading images to social networking sites.
Nikon D3200 screen
One
of the biggest improvements on the D3200 from the D3100 is the new 921k
dot LCD screen, up from the 230k dot device found on the D3100. Though
not articulating, the screen has been kept fixed in order to keep the
size of the body down.
Nikon D3200 ergonomics
Several of
Nikon's DSLR bodies have gone through subtle changes to the ergonomics
to make for better handling and to make it easier for novice shooters to
access these key areas of the camera's functionality.
On
the D3200 this includes the addition of several new direct access
buttons, including a movie record, live view and drive mode button.
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Nikon D3200 retouching options
Nikon
has provided users with several options for retouching and editing
photos from within the camera itself. One of the most interesting new
features is the option to straighten wonky horizons, but other options
for cropping and adding creative filters have also been designed to
appeal to beginner users.
It's made in Thailand
Nikon was
badly affected by the floods in Thailand last year, causing severe
production delays to several of its models. This new model is made in
Thailand, and is, Nikon says, testament to the fact that the factory is
now almost back to full production facilities. No problems with stock
levels have been anticipated.
Compressed 12-bit NEF (RAW) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline Compliant with fine (approx 1:4), Normal (approx 1:8) or Basic (approx 1:16) Compression NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single Photograph Recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG Formats
Picture Control
Landscape Monochrome Neutral Portrait Selected Picture Control can be Modified Standard Vivid
Storage Media
SD SDHC SDXC
Card Slot
1 Secure Digital (SD)
File System
Compliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0 DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) EXIF 2.3 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras)
AF NIKKOR for F3AF not Supported AF-S, AF-I: All Functions Supported AI-P NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except Autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II Electronic Rangefinder can be used if Maximum Aperture is f/5.6 or Faster IX NIKKOR Lenses Cannot be Used Non-CPU: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function. Other AF NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except Autofocus Type D PC NIKKOR: All Functions Supported Except Autofocus and some Shooting Modes
Up to 4 fps (manual focus, mode M or S, shutter speed 1/250 sec or faster, and other settings at default values)
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution
4 frames per second
Self-timer
2, 5, 10, 20 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled
Exposure Metering System
TTL exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor
Metering Method
Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses) Spot: Meters 3.5mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point
Metering Range
0 to 20 EV (Matrix or center-weighted metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 20°C/68°F) 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering at ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens at 20°C/68°F)
Exposure Meter Coupling
CPU
Exposure Modes
Aperture-Priority Auto (A) Auto Auto (flash off) Manual (M) Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P) Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
Scene Modes
Auto Auto [Flash Off] Child Close-up Landscape Night Portrait Portrait Sports
Exposure Compensation
±5 EV in increments of 1/3EV
Exposure Lock
Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Mirror Lock Up
Yes (for image sensor cleaning)
ISO Sensitivity
ISO 100 - 6400 Hi-1 (ISO 12,800)
Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity
100
Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity
6400
Highest Expanded ISO Sensitivity
1 EV above ISO 6400 (ISO 12800 equivalent)
Expanded ISO Sensitivity Options
1 EV above ISO 6400 (ISO 12800 equivalent) Auto ISO sensitivity control available
High ISO Noise Reduction
Low Normal High Off
Active D-Lighting
On Off
Single-point AF Mode
Yes
Dynamic AF Mode
Number of AF points: 11 (3D-tracking)
Auto-area AF Mode
Yes
Autofocus System
Nikon Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection
Detection Range
-1 to 19 EV (ISO 100, 68°F/20°C)
Lens Servo
Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); Continuous-servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status Manual focus (MF): Electronic rangefinder can be used
Focus Point
Can be selected from 11 focus points
Focus Lock
Focus can be locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF)
Focus Modes
Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A) Continuous-servo (AF-C) Face-Priority AF available in Live View only and D-Movie only Full-time Servo (AF-A) available in Live View only Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder Normal area available in Live View and D-Movie only Predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status Single-servo AF (AF-S) Wide area available in Live View and D-Movie only
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
11
Autofocus Sensitivity
-1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F)
Built-in Flash
Yes
X-Sync Speed
1/200
Flash Control
TTL: i-TTL flash control using 420-pixel RGB sensor is available with built-in flash and SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, or SB-400; i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR is used with matrix and center-weighted
Auto Cloudy Direct Sunlight Flash Fluorescent (7 types) Incandescent Preset Manual Shade
Live View Shooting
Yes
Live View Lens servo
Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); full-time-servo AF (AF-F) Manual focus (MF)
Live View AF-area mode
Face-priority AF Wide-area AF Normal-area AF Subject-tracking AF
Live View Autofocus
Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera selects focus point automatically when face-priority AF or subject-tracking AF is selected)
Live View Scene Auto Selector
Auto mode Auto (flash off) mode
Movie Metering
TTL exposure metering using main image sensor
Movie Maximum recording time
20 min.
Movie File Format
MOV
Movie Video Compression
H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
Movie Audio recording format
Linear PCM
Movie
HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fps HD 1,920x1,080 / 25 fps HD 1,920x1,080 / 24 fps HD 1,280x720 / 60 fps HD 1,280x720 / 50 fps VGA 640x424 / 30 fps VGA 640x424 / 25 fps
Movie Audio
Built-in microphone, monaural Optional external stereo mini-pin jack (3.5mm diameter) Microphone sensitivity can be adjusted
Monitor Size
3.0 in. diagonal
Monitor Resolution
921,000 Dots
Monitor Type
Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD
Monitor Angle of View
160-degree wide-viewing angle
Playback Functions
Auto Image Rotation Full-Frame and Thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) Highlights Histogram Display Image Comment Movie Playback Playback with Zoom Slideshow
In-Camera Image Editing
Color Balance Color Outline Color Sketch D-Lighting Distortion Control Filter Effects Fisheye Image Overlay Miniature Effect Monochrome NEF (RAW) Processing Perspective Control Quick Retouch Red-Eye Correction Resize Selective Color Straighten Trim
Interface
Accessory Terminal: Remote Cord: MC-DC2 (available separately); GPS unit: GP-1 (available separately) Audio input: Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5-mm diameter) HDMI output: Type C mini-pin HDMI connector Hi-speed USB Video Output: NTSC, PAL
Wi-Fi Functionality
Eye-Fi Compatible
GPS
GP-1 GPS unit
Recent Settings
Yes
Supported Languages
Arabic Brazilian Portuguese Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) Czech Danish Dutch English Finnish French German Greek Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Norweigan Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Spanish Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian
Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings
Yes
World Time Setting
Yes
Battery / Batteries
EN-EL14 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
Battery Life (shots per charge)
540 shots per charge (Battery Life) (CIPA)
AC Adapter
EH-5b AC Adapter; requires EP-5A Power Connector (available separately)
Battery Charger
MH-24 Quick Charger
Tripod Socket
1/4 in.
Approx. Dimensions
5.0 in. (125mm) x 3.8 in. (96mm) x 3.1 in. (76.5mm)
