Is the D3200 the perfect beginners camera?

<p>My wife has been wanting a camera of her own. She occasionally uses the D300s taking all of her pictures in Program mode. She says that camera is to much for her. I decided to get her a D3200 for the upcoming Mother's Day because of my $500 budget which I exceeded slightly and the simple interface and guide modes. Do you think this is the perfect beginners camera? I ordered it through Amazon and should have it next month. Also, I have a 12 and 14 year old sons who are also interested in mom's camera and I'm hoping together we can all share a hobby. Would appreciate your thoughts and opinions.</p>

<p>I think it's a great choice. I made the same buy a couple years ago (D3100) for my wife. She is still using the camera, it's easy to use, much smaller than my D800, and lighter. Yet it produces beautiful images. Today I would definitely buy the D3200.</p>

<p>Although I come from a mixed marriage (my wife uses a Canon and I Nikons) I think the D3200 is the perfect camera for her. Once she gets used to it you can show her a tip or two every now and then and gently lead her to explore all it will do.</p>

<p>You sort of answered your own question when you said she works in program mode most of the time. I really like it when beginners do this. It allows the camera to get out of the way and let them take the picture they want. </p>

<p>Here is a tip. Make sure you praise her work and work up her favorites in PS. This shows her you respect her work as much as your own. There is nothing like seeing a framed photo around the house to encourage her to take more.</p>

<p>It's a fine starter, capable of really lovely images. Those files (if she shoots RAW or in large JPG mode) are beefy, though. That's a lot of resolution.<br /><br />So while you work on the basics of using the camera, you're going to want to also get into the basics of handling those big fat image files.</p>

<p>Perfect - no.<br>

Very good - yes.<br>

Those D3<em>x</em>00 models are all a bit underrated, in my view - the "internet's" habit to talk down on entry-level products. They offer a lot for the money; they're small and quite easy to use. I like the guidance on screen, as a learning tool I think they're better than the higher end cameras too.</p>

<p>I think it is a superb choice. The image quality from that camera is wonderful and it is a easy camera to learn.</p>

<p>It is small for my hands but that is simply because of the tanks that I have shot with all my life. I think she will love it.</p>

<p>-O</p>

 

<p>I'm far from a beginner but I chose a Nikon D3200 to keep my sixty film cameras company. For me, it's just right. I have the ISO on the Fn button and the Exposure compensation is next to the shutter. I don't need any more controls than that.<br>

<br /> I use it in aperture priority with AF lenses or in manual with my pre-AI lenses.<br /><br />It might not be perfect but it is very good.</p>

<p>all nikon DSLRS are capable of very good or even excellent image quality, and the entry-level models have all delivered a lot of bang for the buck, going back to the 6mp d40 which was a classic. the newer models have better technology and video, but the combination of IQ and form factor makes them winners. my concern with the d3200 would be the 24mp DX sensor which as matt pointed out produces huge files, especially if you're shooting in Raw. files that big arent necessarily conducive to entry-level usage, which tends to be more of the snapshot variety. so there's a learning curve there which will need to be carefully managed. on the plus side, there's a lot of room to crop with a 24mp sensor.</p>

My son is a "moderately skilled" amateur and uses a D3100 and D3200, and they both do a great job. You should be very

pleased.

I'm sure some people will disagree with me, but for those who only want to shoot in Program or Auto, there are some fantastic point and

shoots out there that are much less expensive and will do everything they need. I think that a DSLR is a waste of money if a person isn't

going to use it as anything other than a glorified point and shoot. When I'm not using my big gear, I have a Panasonic P&S that takes

really nice, crisp images and great hi-def video, and it fits in my purse.

<p>Thanks everyone for your opinions. She'll have her new camera early next week. I think this will be a great easy to use camera and a good learning tool too. I'm hoping she gets hooked on photography so we can learn together and put our images on the wall, one complementing the other.</p>

<p>"Do you think this is the perfect beginners camera?" Yes, probably the first time I have ever agreed with Steve. </p>

<p>Devon, I agree with you. Personally, a D3200 is just a slightly smaller D300 if the user is working in any Program mode.<br /> A digital P&S is something I use to hate, but my wife is not willing to carry with something that is bigger than a soap bar.</p>

<p>While the ease of use and image quality on the D3xxx series is up there with the best it is the viewfinder in my experience that is the problem. If you have good eyesight then they are OK but users of glasses and older people with lesser vision cannot often see if the person is smiling/blinking or if the composition is as they want it to be. With the D7000 the viewfinder is much clearer and I find myself suggesting that model as half the joy of using an SLR is the use of a viewfinder for accurate composition.<br>

There is nothing like struggling to see through a viewfinder to put a user off their new camera - especially if they are learning the controlls too.</p>

<p>I agree with Devon. If you are just going to use program mode, then a point and shoot is really perfect. That said, I have a D3100 that I bought after my son was born (I was taking unpaid maternity leave and on a budget) and I really like it. If I were just shooting automatic, even an entry level DSLR would be bit much. Is she really into social media? There are now some WiFi point and shoots that connect you right to FB and such - crazy! </p>

<p>Pretty much all the intro-level cameras are fine these days. Mirrorless is arguably better in many circumstances, but if you've already got Nikon lenses a D3200 makes sense.</p>

<p>I don't know the D3200, but it must have a choice of resolution, RAW, JPEG Fine, Med, Basic, so with it's use as a P&S for now, she can go with a smaller file size.</p>

Yes,but if you biginner you want

to be semi pro ,..you have to get

D7100 or D7000

<p>I'd like to add something that know one mentioned. When shooting action the D3200 at 4fps it does a decent job. At least as good as my D800. A Point and Shoot however cannot keep up with the action and all you get is out of focus blurry images. I agree that for static images there is nothing like a P&S, I carry a P7000 which does a great job but nothing beats a dSLR for speed and acuracy. BTW, received the camera today, only two days between placing the order on Adorama and receiving the camera. Simply amazing!</p>

<p>Always good to get people going with a DSLR if they might have a future in photography at any level. The D3200 in P can be used as a P&S, but it can produce some fabulous shots--and big enough files to encourage beginners to try their hand at cropping. I shot this camera for some months before selling almost everything to pay for the D800E and a lens or two.</p>

<p>The D3200 camera is a fun camera. I think you made the right choice.</p>

<p>--Lannie</p>

<p>I tend to agree with Devon. There are some amazing small cameras, and if she doesn't want to be changing lenses, they will be much better for her than a DSLR.</p>

<p><br>

</p>

<p >"BTW, received the camera today, only two days between placing the order on Adorama and receiving the camera. Simply amazing!"</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Delighted to hear it, Mark - thanks so much for the feedback (which I've copied over to the shipping department)</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Helen Oster</p>

<p >Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador</p>

<p >Helen@adorama.com</p>