Nikon D3200 vs Nikon Coolpix S9700

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3200 and the Nikon Coolpix S9700, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D3200 was introduced in July 2012 and Nikon Coolpix S9700 was introduced in February 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3200 over Nikon Coolpix S9700.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Coolpix S9700 over Nikon D3200.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon D3200 and Nikon Coolpix S9700 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 921k dot resolution.

Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon Coolpix S9700.

Nikon D3200 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.2 x 15.4 mm and a total area of 357.3 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Nikon Coolpix S9700 features a 16.0 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 125 - 6,400.

Nikon Coolpix S9700 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Nikon D3200 is equipped with EXPEED 3 processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4512 x 3000, 3008 x 2000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon Coolpix S9700 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution.

Nikon Coolpix S9700 has an image stabilization.

Built-in GPS on Nikon Coolpix S9700

Nikon Coolpix S9700 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Nikon Coolpix S9700

Nikon Coolpix S9700 has a built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3200 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Nikon Coolpix S9700 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D3200 comes with EN-EL14 battery pack with battery life of 540 shots and Nikon Coolpix S9700 comes with EN-EL12 battery pack with battery life of 300 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3200 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Nikon Coolpix S9700 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D3200 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3200, and up to 1/2000 sec on Nikon Coolpix S9700. Nikon D3200 can shoot continuously up to 4.0 fps. Nikon Coolpix S9700 can shoot continuously up to 6.9 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3200 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon Coolpix S9700 has 99 focusing points. Nikon D3200 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3200 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3200 and ±2 range on Nikon Coolpix S9700. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3200 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon Coolpix S9700.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D3200 and 6.00 m on Nikon Coolpix S9700. Nikon D3200 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D3200.

Nikon D3200 body has dimensions of 125 x 96 x 77 mm (4.92 x 3.78 x 3.03") and Nikon Coolpix S9700 body has dimensions of 110 x 64 x 35 mm (4.33 x 2.52 x 1.38"). Nikon D3200 weighs 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz) and Nikon Coolpix S9700 weighs 232 g (0.51 lb / 8.18 oz).

Nikon D3200

Nikon Coolpix S9700

125 mm

96 mm

110 mm

64 mm

96 mm

64 mm