Nikon has debuted a new camera that is bound to excite amateur photographers. Meet the D3400 DSLR, which boasts a fantastic battery life and a 24.2-megapixel sensor, and which has been designed with would-be photographers in mind.
The company announced the camera's release on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The D3400 is an entry-level DSLR and will set consumers back by $650. With the D3400, Nikon is attempting to close the gap that exists between cameras and smartphones.
"Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the D3400, an all-new entry-level DX-format digital SLR with easy connectivity to smart devices. From outfit-of-the-day portraits to edgy street photography or one-of-a-kind culinary experiences - the new Nikon D3400 easily captures these visual contents for instant sharing to social media," notes the company.
The latest DSLR from the Japanese company is the successor to the D3300 and is the first entry-level DSLR to offer support for the company's SnapBridge software. This software essentially equips a user with the ability to download videos and images from the D3400 via Bluetooth to their smartphone using the companion app. The user can then share these images on social media.
Nikon improved on the specs to equip the D3400 with better features over its predecessor. For instance, the company has expanded the standard ISO sensitivity from the previous-gen model's 100-12,800 to 100-25,600.
The battery performance has also been given a boost and Nikon claims that the D3400 supports nearly 1,200 shots when the battery is completely charged. This is double the battery support offered by the D3300.
The D3400 weighs approximately 445 grams (around 15.7 ounces) with the battery and SD memory card. It has a powerful 24.2-megapixel sensor, 11-point autofocus and can shoot full HD videos at 30 frames per second. The Guide Mode on the camera is handy for first-time users and helps familiarize them with the nuances of shooting on a DSLR.
One aspect that may disappoint photography enthusiasts is the absence of a touch screen on the D3400. The presence of this feature would have made it much simpler for users who are accustomed to smartphones to transition seamlessly to the DSLR - which is the company's objective.
The D3400 DSLR is poised to hit the shelves in early September. The DSLR will be offered in two hues, black and red. The $650 price for the kit includes the new AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction) lens. Consumers will also be offered an option to purchase a variant of the kit sans OIS for $50 less.
