Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5300

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

D3200 compared with D5300
NikonD3200NikonD5300
Overview
ReleasedMay 2012November 2013
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.2 × 15.4 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution24.2 MP24.2 MP
Largest image6016 × 40006000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–6400100–12800
Sensor detailJapan specifies 24.16 million effective and 24.72 million total pixels, rounded to 24.2 and 24.7 million; Nikon DX format with approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; sensor cleaning, Airflow Control System and Image Dust Off reference dataNikon DX CMOS without an optical low-pass filter; 24.2 million effective pixels globally, 24.16 million in Japanese specifications, and 24.78 million total; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data
Image formats12-bit compressed NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape Picture Controls; in-camera RAW processing and retouchingCompressed 12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 6000 × 4000 pixels; customisable Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing
ISO detailISO 100–6400 in one-stop steps; expanded ISO 12800 equivalent; Auto ISO. Movie sensitivity ISO 200–6400, expandable to 12800ISO 100–12800 in one-third stops, expandable to ISO 25600 equivalent; Auto ISO
Image processorEXPEED 3EXPEED 4
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst4 fps5 fps
Lens detailAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Other compatible AF lenses require manual focus. Non-CPU lenses work in manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; electronic rangefinder requires maximum aperture f/5.6 or fasterAutofocus with AF-S, AF-I and, in the updated Japanese compatibility list, AF-P lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
AutofocusMulti-CAM 1000; 11 phase-detection points including one cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A, single-point, dynamic, auto-area and 11-point 3D tracking; AF-assist lamp. Live view uses contrast-detection AF-S/AF-F with face-priority, wide, normal and subject-tracking areasMulti-CAM 4800DX; 39 phase-detection points including nine cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; selectable 39-point or 11-point layouts, dynamic 9/21/39-point areas and 3D tracking. Contrast-detection autofocus in live view
Shutter1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops and Bulb; Time requires optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 second1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third or half stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 second
Burst detailApproximately 4 fps under Nikon's manual-focus, S/M, 1/250-second-or-faster test conditions; Japanese specification lists up to 18 RAW, ten RAW plus Fine JPEG or 80 Large/Fine JPEG frames with its specified 8 GB SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I SDHC cardUp to approximately 5 fps for JPEG or 12-bit RAW, 4 fps for 14-bit RAW and 3 fps in continuous low; specified with AF-C, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and default settings; quiet release and interval-timer shooting
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; hot shoe; optional AS-15 adapter for PC syncBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; accessory shoe
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto, flash-off Auto and scene modes; beginner Guide mode with illustrative assist images. 420-pixel RGB metering with Colour Matrix Metering II, centre-weighted and spot modes; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting on/offP/S/A/M, Auto, scene and special-effects modes; 2016-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; exposure, white-balance and Active D-Lighting bracketing
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 30 fps1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailH.264 MOV at Full HD 30p/25p/24p, 720p 60p/50p or 640 × 424 at 30p/25p; actual NTSC rates 59.94/29.97/23.976. Maximum clip approximately 20 minutes; continuous contrast-detection autofocus available. Photography Blog's 24p-only Full HD description and Photo Review's 640 × 480 table differ from Nikon's technical sheetH.264 MOV at Full HD 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720p 60p/50p or 640 × 424 at 30p/25p; actual NTSC rates 59.94/29.97/23.976. Maximum 20 minutes at Full HD 60p/50p, up to 29 minutes 59 seconds at other modes, or three minutes in Miniature Effect. Photography Blog's Motion JPEG AVI passage differs from Nikon's technical sheet
AudioBuilt-in mono microphone, external stereo microphone supported through 3.5 mm input; adjustable sensitivity and linear PCM recording. Photography Blog's description of a built-in stereo microphone differs from Nikon's mono specificationBuilt-in stereo microphones with adjustable sensitivity; external stereo microphone through 3.5 mm input; linear PCM audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3.2″
Screen dots921,0001,037,000
Touchscreen–No
Tilting screen–Yes
Display detailFixed 3-inch TFT, approximately 921000 dots globally, rounded to 920000 in Japan; 160° viewing angle and approximately 100% coverage; dots count subpixelsSide-hinged 3.2-inch 3:2 vari-angle TFT, approximately 1037000 dots globally, rounded to 1040000 in Japan; 170° viewing angle and 100% coverage; no touch input; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% frame coverage, 0.8× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepointPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.82× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)540 photographs600 photographs
Body weight455 g (better)480 g
Release detailNikon Japan records sale on 24 May 2012; the US announcement planned late-April kit availability, without confirming an actual retail day. Main date is the confirmed Japanese retail date. Nikon's global announcement explicitly calls D3200 the successor to D3100Nikon Japan records first sale on 14 November 2013; global announcement on 17 October 2013
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, with UHS-I support for SDHC/SDXC; MMC unsupportedOne SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot with UHS-I support; MMC unsupported
PortsHi-Speed USB, mini-HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output, 3.5 mm stereo microphone input and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPS; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteHi-Speed USB, HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output, 3.5 mm external stereo microphone input and accessory terminal for optional WR-1/WR-R10 wireless remote, MC-DC2 remote or GP-1/GP-1A GPS; optional ML-L3 infrared remote
Wireless connectionsNo integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS; optional WU-1a wireless mobile adapter transfers images and supports remote shooting; optional GP-1 GPSBuilt-in IEEE 802.11b/g Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote shooting with Wireless Mobile Utility; built-in GPS and route logging; WPA2-PSK/AES security and WPS
Battery life detailEN-EL14; approximately 540 CIPA single-frame photographs or 1800 continuous photographs under Nikon's different test. Original manual CIPA test uses 23°C, AF-S DX 18–55mm VR and alternate-shot flash, without live viewEN-EL14a rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 600 CIPA photographs per charge
ChargingExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5b adapter with EP-5A power connectorExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5b adapter with EP-5A power connector
DimensionsApproximately 125 × 96 × 76.5 mmApproximately 125 × 98 × 76 mm
Weight detailApproximately 455 g body only or 505 g with battery and SD card, excluding body capApproximately 480 g body only or 530 g including battery and SD card, excluding body cap
Materials–Monocoque body construction
ColoursBlack or redBlack, red or grey; regional body-only and kit availability varies
In the boxEN-EL14 battery, MH-24 charger, UC-E17 USB cable, EG-CP14 audio-video cable, AN-DC3 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-20 eyecup and ViewNX 2 CD-ROMEN-EL14a battery, MH-24 charger, UC-E17 USB cable, EG-CP16 audio-video cable, AN-DC3 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-25 eyecup and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM

More comparisons