NIKON D3200 | A major upgrade over the previous generation model

The Nikon D3200 is a follow-up to the highly successful Nikon D3100 and is the brand’s entry-level model. Nikon has kept the design of this DSLR simple and because of this, a user stepping up from a point and shoot camera will not feel too overwhelmed by the fact that it is a DSLR camera. The camera is not too large when compared to other DSLR cameras. At the back is the three-inch LCD display, which features a 921 K dot resolution. This is a major improvement over the 230 K dot resolution that was found on the D3100. This translates into a lot more detail on screen while previewing or reviewing images. Nikon has added rubberized padding on the viewfinder to help in reducing any strain that may arise while peering through it for long periods of time.The top of the camera features a handful of buttons, some of which are a dedicated video recording button and a shutter release button. The other notable features include a mode dial, which is quite comprehensive as it features different modes that are designed for shooting images in various settings,scenes, etc.Connectivity options are housed in a bay at the side and they include ports for HDMI, USB, a mic and a GPS module. Like other DSLR cameras available in the market, this model has a hot swap option for switching SD cards, with the card housed in a slot at the side. A slightly crippling feature here is that it houses just a single slot for SD cards and not dual, which means one would have to be content with a single slot for switching between cards.When it comes to the features of the camera, the 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor can certainly steal thespotlight. The Nikon D3100 features a sensor with an effective resolution of 14.2 megapixels, so this is a big upgrade, allowing you to shoot at a resolution of 6016 x 4000 pixels. The camera uses a DX format APS-C sensor that measures 23.2 x 15.4 mm and features a crop factor of 1.5x. Nikon has also used their new EXPEED 3 image processing engine on this camera as compared to the EXPEED 2 image processor found on the Nikon D3100.The company has added a high ISO range on this camera with the maximum sensitivity found here being ISO 6400 and the camera does a good job of keeping noise to a minimum until a high ISO of 3200. Alternatively, you can set the ISO up to 12,800 by using Hi 1 setting on the camera. Another highlighted feature of this camera is the Guide mode. This feature was first found on the Nikon D3000 and later on the D3100. Nikon has added a dedicated option for Guide mode on the mode dial, allowing you to quickly access this option. This feature can be really beneficial for those stepping up to DSLR cameras as it explains how to capture different scenes easily.Slotted in the entry-level segment of cameras, the D3200 comes equipped with a variety of scene modes that can be easily accessed via the mode dial itself. This becomes convenient for first-time DSLR users, allowing them to capture images without much difficulty. The camera offers semi- manual and manual shooting modes like PASM, allowing users to adjust settings such as aperture priority, shutter priority and any other settings they please to help them capture the perfect shot.The interface of the camera is easy to use and one would not have much difficulty navigating through the different settings. The camera also features a LiveView mode, allowing you to preview the content you wish to capture on the screen itself, instead of only using the viewfi nder to preview content. The viewfinder found on this camera is of the pentamirror type, which is believed to be not as great as the pentaprism viewfi nders found on most high-end DSLR cameras available in the market. The viewfinder offers 95 percent coverage, which is not very impressive as you cannot get the complete coverage while previewing scenes.Another neat feature of the Nikon D3200 is that this camera can record videos in Full HD at 1080p at 30 fps. The camera can capture images in JPEG as well as in NEF, which is Nikon’s format for RAW files. Overall, the Nikon D3200 brings a lot to the table when it comes to features. Based on these attributes alone, it is an option that is definitely worth considering.This camera is a pleasure to use and can be a great option if one is looking to upgrade from a compact digital camera. The Nikon D3200 does well in capturing outdoor shots with all colors appearing natural. The images look the same on the camera’s display as they do on a PC. When the camera was paired with a 18-55 mm Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor lens, we observed that there was a lot of detail present in the shots and no color fringing was noticed. During indoor shots, there was hardly any amount of image grain, which demonstrates that the camera does well in low light environments. The camera does not come with a built-in AF system and hence you will need to pair it with a Nikkor AF-S lens. We paired it with this lens, and the resulting macro photographs showed a lot of detail. When it comes to focusing, the D3200 is a speedy camera. However, it is not as fast as some of the compact point and shoots available in themarket, and this feature may take a bit getting used to for those stepping up to a DSLR.The camera can record videos in Full HD 1080p and the video quality is really good. This can be another reason why one could consider this camera. The camera does well in recording videos and there is a lot of detail present. There were no transition issues seen when panning the camera from a low lit area to a brightly lit one, and this shows that the camera can be used in most lighting environments without the worry of any part of the video being washed out.Nikon has bundled a 1030 mAh battery with this camera and the company has rated it at approximately 540 shots.The Nikon D3200 DSLR camera is available in India at an MRP of Rs 37,950 and it comes along with an 18-55mm lens. This model is a perfect solution for those looking to step up from a compact camera, as it offers all the features and qualities one would look for when making the transition to a DSLR camera. The D3200 is a great camera when it comes to features, design and even performance. The only real issue we had with it was the pricing. Add about Rs 1,000 and you can get the Nikon D5100, which is a model ranked higher than the D3200.On the other hand, if the Rs 37,950 price tag is too much for your pocket, you can opt for the Nikon D3100 or the Canon EOS 1100D, which is priced in the market at just below Rs 30,000. You may not get all the features of the D3200, but it can be an ideal option if you are just starting out with photography