Entry-level releases in dSLRs seem to be slow in coming, but they're not quite dead yet. This month, Nikon will roll out the Nikon D3200, the replacement model for the almost two-year-old Nikon D3100, which, like its predecessor, the
While the D3200 has a lot of the same or similar components to the D3100, including the same autofocus system (bolstered by Nikon's newer scene-recognition technology) and viewfinder, it's got a newer, higher resolution sensor coupled with Nikon's updated Expeed 3 imaging engine, a higher-resolution LCD, and 1080/30p video with a supporting microphone jack and HDMI connector. Normally I'm not a big fan of sensors with jacked-up resolutions, but many we've seen in the 18-plus resolution class have actually performed better than the lower-res versions they've replaced. As long as that's true, I'm OK with it. The camera also retains its Guide Mode to walk you through some basic photography techniques.
All the camera and camcorder manufacturers are looking for the appropriate architecture for incorporating wireless connectivity into your shooting experience, ranging from completely built-in to completely third-party (such as an Eye-Fi card). Nikon's approach is the new WU-1A, a $59.99 wireless receiver/transmitter dongle that plugs into the camera's USB port and works in conjunction with an app running on your tablet or phone. It can also function as a "dumb" remote for shooting -- just previewing and triggering the shutter, but no access to settings. The adapter and an Android app will be available in late May; iOS won't be available until the Fall.
Is this the optimal configuration? I don't know. I've become a bit disenchanted with the Eye-Fi approach, mostly because my need for a bigger, faster SD outweighs the convenience of the Eye-Fi. This will be an interesting test for 2012.
Here are some of the D3200's competitors:
| Canon EOS Rebel T3i | Nikon D3100 | Nikon D3200 | Nikon D5100 | Sony Alpha SLT-A57 | |
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 18-megapixel CMOS | 14.2-megapixel CMOS | 24.2-megapixel CMOS | 16.2-megapixel CMOS | 16.1-megapixel Exmor HD CMOS |
| 22.3 x 14.9mm | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm | 23.6 x 15.6mm | 23.5mm x 15.6mm | |
| Focal-length multiplier | 1.6x | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 6400/12,800 (expanded) | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 3200/ 12,800 (expanded) | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 6400/12,800 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 6400/25,600 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 16,000 |
| Continuous shooting | 3.7 fps 6 raw/34 JPEG |
3fps n/a raw/n/a JPEG |
4fps n/a |
4 fps n/a raw/100 JPEG |
8 fps (10fps with fixed exposure) 21 raw/25 JPEG |
| Viewfinder (magnification/ effective magnification) | Optical 95% coverage 0.85x/0.53x |
Optical 95% coverage 0.80x/0.53x |
Optical |
Optical 95% coverage 0.78x/0.63x |
Electronic 0.43 inches/1.4 million dots 100% coverage 1.04x/0.69x |
| Autofocus | 9-pt AF center cross-type to f2.8 |
11-pt AF center cross-type |
11-pt AF center cross-type |
11-pt AF center cross-type to f5.6 |
15-pt phase-detection AF 3 cross-type |
| AF sensitivity | -0.5 to 18 EV | -1 to 19 EV | -1 to 19 EV | -1 to 19 EV | -1 to 18 EV |
| Shutter Speed | 1/4000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 x-sync | 1/4000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync | 1/4000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync | 1/4000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync | 1/4000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/160 x-sync |
| Metering | 63-zone iFCL | 420-pixel 3D color matrix | 420-pixel 3D color matrix metering II | 420-pixel 3D color matrix metering II | 1200 zone |
| Metering sensitivity | -1 to 20 EV | 0 to 20 EV | 0 to 20 EV | 0 to 20 EV | -2 to 17 EV |
| Video | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/24p/ 25p/30p; 720/50p/60p | 1080/24p; 720/30p/ 25p/24p H.264 QuickTime MOV | 1080/30p/ 25p/24p; 720/60p/50p H.264 QuickTime MOV | 1080/30p/ 24p; 720/30p/ 25p/24p H.264 QuickTime MOV | AVCHD 1080/60p @ 28, 24Mbps, 1080/24p @ 24, 17Mbps, 1080/60i @ 17Mbps; H.264 MPEG-4 1440x1080/ 30p @ 12Mbps |
| Audio | Mono; mic input | Mono | Mono; mic input | Mono; mic input | Stereo; mic input |
| Manual aperture and shutter in video | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum best-quality recording time | 4GB/12 minutes | 10 minutes | n/a | 20 minutes | n/a (likely 29m59s) |
| Image stabilization | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Sensor shift |
| LCD size | 3 inches articulated 1.04 megapixels |
3 inches fixed 230,000 dots |
3 inches fixed 921,000 dots |
3 inches articulated 921,000 dots |
3 inches articulated 921,600 dots |
| Memory slots | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC | 1 x SDXC |
| Wireless flash | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 470 shots | 550 shots | 540 shots | 660 shots | 550 shots |
| Dimensions (WHD, inches) | 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.0 | 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 | 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 | 5.0 x 3.8 x 3.1 | 5.3 x 3.9 x 3.3 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 20 | 17.7 | 17.8 (est) | 19.6 | 18.9 (est) |
| Mfr. Price | $799.99 (body only) | n/a | n/a | $799.95 (body only) | $699.99 (body only) |
| $849.99 (with 18-55mm IS II lens) |
$649.95 (with 18-55mm VR lens) | $699.95 (with 18-55mm VR lens) | $899.95 (with 18-55mm VR lens) | $799.99 (with 18-55mm lens) | |
| $1,099.99 (with 18-135mm IS lens) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Release date | March 2011 | September 2010 | April 2012 | April 2011 | April 2012 |
As I haven't yet tested the A57 and an announcement from Canon (for something, anything at the consumer level) is way overdue, I can't even speculate as to how the competition will shape up for the under $800 dSLRs in 2012. But I'm expecting my evaluation unit of the D3200 very soon, and that'll be a start. Stay tuned.