Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D3

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3400 and the Nikon D3, 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 D3400 was introduced in August 2016 and Nikon D3 was introduced in April 2008. 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 D3400 over Nikon D3.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3 over Nikon D3400.

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 D3400 and Nikon D3 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 921k dot and 922k dot resolutions respectively.

Viewfinder

Nikon D3400 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderNikon D3 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Nikon D3400 has 95% coverage with 0.85x (0.57x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Nikon D3 has 100% coverage with 0.70x magnification.

Nikon D3400 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600. Nikon D3 features a 12.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 571.2 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon D3400 is equipped with EXPEED 4 processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Nikon D3 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Nikon F lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor in Nikon D3400 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon D3 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.

No Low-Pass Filter on Nikon D3400

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Nikon D3400. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D3400 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3 nothing can be done. On Nikon D3 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3400 nothing can be done.

Bluetooth on Nikon D3400

Nikon D3400 has a built-in Bluetooth which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3400 has a Mini HDMI and Nikon D3 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D3400 comes with EN-EL14a battery pack with battery life of 1200 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3400 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon D3 has Dual CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA) card slots.

Shutter

Nikon D3400 and Nikon D3 have Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3400, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D3. Nikon D3400 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Nikon D3 can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3400 has 11 (1 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D3 has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D3400 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Both cameras' exposure metering ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3400 and ±5 EV range on Nikon D3. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3400 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3.

Flash

Nikon D3400 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 7.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Nikon D3 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D3400 and 1/250 sec on Nikon D3.

Nikon D3400 body has dimensions of 124 x 98 x 76 mm (4.88 x 3.86 x 2.99") and Nikon D3 body has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46"). Nikon D3400 weighs 445 g (0.98 lb / 15.70 oz) and Nikon D3 weighs 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz).

Nikon D3400

Nikon D3

124 mm

98 mm

160 mm

157 mm

98 mm

157 mm

76 mm

88 mm