pocket camera retro electronic video finder

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The Nikon D3400 normally comes bundled with an 18-55mm zoom lens, which is lightweight and a good complement to the camera.ĭespite this lens being capable (see my sample images), I recommend upgrading to a ‘prime’ lens as soon as you feel comfortable with the camera since a lens such as the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G (reviewed here) will really open the doors to what is possible with this camera (See: lens recommendations for the Nikon D3400.)Īt only 22.8 oz (645 g) with the lens attached, the Nikon D3400 was a joy to use, and I found myself reaching for it far more than my phone when I wanted to take a snap of the kids. This is one of the main reasons I chose this as one of the best entry-level DSLR cameras.īattery life is excellent, at approximately 1,200 shots per charge – more than twice as many as most mirrorless cameras, and a huge advantage if you plan to take this camera on holiday.

#Pocket camera retro electronic video finder how to#

The camera’s ‘guide mode’ is perfect for beginners, teaching you how to shoot in various situations. One thing to note is that the 11 AF points are quite sparse in frame coverage, so I recommend the focus-recompose technique over individually selecting focus points. The image quality out of the Nikon D3400 is excellent, even with the kit lens | 1/250 f/4 ISO200 They also allow you to blow up your prints to be displayed on your wall, which is exactly what I intend to do with a shot of my son taken with this camera, like the one below.Īuto-focus on the Nikon D3400 is decent too, with 5 fps continuous shooting – more than enough to keep up with fast-moving kids or pets. Having a lot of megapixels allow you to ‘crop’ into a photo after you’ve taken it, effectively allowing you to ‘zoom’ in on your subject and still retain decent quality. With its 24.3MP sensor and high-tech image processor, the Nikon D3400 delivers great looking RAW and JPEG images, which are large enough to allow you to zoom in on all the details. They’re small and light enough to palm easily, but still retain excellent ergonomics, providing adequate comfort for all-day shooting – this isn’t the case with most mirrorless cameras and compact cameras. I say ‘compact’, but entry-level DSLRs are more like a jacket pocket size. Coming from a DSLR costing 5x the price, I did of course miss all the bells and whistles of my pro-level camera, but this compact DSLR still did a fine job. I tested a Nikon D3400 over the holidays and was very impressed with its performance (see my Nikon D3400 review). Typically, the technology from the more expensive ‘flag-ship’ models trickles down the ranks, so the cheaper cameras in the line up can also take advantage of class-leading features.

I’m a big fan of entry-level DSLR cameras. The popularity of the Nikon D3400 with 18-55mm lens has mainly been due to its price – for less than $500, you’re getting a helluva lot of camera for your money! At the time of writing, only a few ‘refurbished’ models are available, with the stock quickly dwindling. Let me preface this review with one caveat – you may struggle to get hold of this excellent entry-level Nikon DSLR. I’ve also included some videos on each camera that I think you’ll find useful. Read on below to see my reviews, including what I consider to be the best camera under $500 of the year so far. I’ve included a couple below for you to choose from if your budget is limited. Whilst DSLRs and compact cameras still have their place, investing in one of the latest mirrorless camera systems will help future-proof your purchase.

#Pocket camera retro electronic video finder full#

If you’re able to stretch your budget a little further, I recommend you check out my guide to mirrorless cameras for beginners and professionals and also this one on the cheapest full frame camera – both investigate a selection of higher-priced cameras which offer more features. To speed your research up, I’ve categorised each section by the most popular camera formats, with a foreword about the benefits of each type: The cameras selected above all offer excellent build quality, image quality, handling and value for money… often performing far better than you’d expect for their sub-$500 price. I’ve selected the top digital cameras under $500 – the exceptions are where a lens is included in the price, stretching the budget very slightly.