Nikon D3400 DSLR Camera Body, Red {24.2MP}

Nikon's 24.2MP entry DSLR with 1200-shot battery life

The D3400 pairs a 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor with the Expeed 4 processor, a combination that still holds up for raw processing latitude and clean JPEG output straight out of camera. The 11-point AF system uses a single cross-type sensor at the center, and while it's not the densest coverage on the market, the center point locks on reliably in a variety of light. Shoot in Aperture or Shutter priority, dial in full Manual control, or lean on the scene modes when you want the camera to think for you.

Battery life is the standout spec here: rated at 1200 shots per charge on the EN-EL14a pack, a substantial jump that lets you shoot for days without reaching for the charger. Burst shooting hits 5 fps, useful for casual action and kids-in-motion sequences, and the buffer holds enough JPEGs to ride out a long sequence. Built-in Bluetooth via SnapBridge keeps a low-power link to your phone active, quietly transferring images in the background without draining the battery the way Wi-Fi would.

Video tops out at 1080/60p, and the optical pentamirror viewfinder gives you a lag-free view for tracking handheld shots. At 445g, it's light enough to carry all day, and the Nikon F mount opens the door to decades of Nikkor glass, including the F1.8 primes that turn this body into a genuine portrait tool. This is a camera built to get out of the way and let the fundamentals of exposure and composition do the work.

Who It's For

Photographers moving up from a smartphone or point-and-shoot will find the 11-point AF system and Aperture/Shutter priority modes an approachable way to learn manual control without getting buried in menus. Travel shooters benefit from the 1200-shot CIPA battery rating and the 445g body weight, both of which mean less bulk and fewer charging stops on the road. Casual family and event shooters get real use out of the 5 fps burst rate for catching kids or pets in motion, plus background image transfer to a phone via Bluetooth for quick sharing. Anyone building a lens collection benefits from the Nikon F mount's access to fast primes like the 50mm f1.8G, which becomes a 75mm-equivalent portrait lens on this sensor.

Key Features

• 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor with Expeed 4 processor for clean JPEGs and strong RAW latitude
• 11-point AF system with single cross-type center sensor, reliable in varied light
• 1200-shot battery life on EN-EL14a pack, substantial advantage for all-day shooting
• 5 fps burst rate with 100-frame JPEG buffer, 12-frame RAW buffer
• 1080p60 video with improved continuous AF via AF-P kit lens motors
• Optical pentamirror viewfinder with 95% coverage and lag-free tracking
• Nikon F mount compatible with decades of Nikkor glass, including modern f/1.8 primes
• Built-in SnapBridge Bluetooth for seamless background image transfer to smartphone

FAQ

What's the AF system like for tracking moving subjects?

The 11-point Multicam 1000 module uses a single cross-type sensor at the center, which locks on reliably in varied light. It's less dense than current competition, so tracking erratically moving subjects like kids takes some discipline - you'll get better results keeping them centered or switching to Dynamic Area mode. The viewfinder AF is snappy; Live View contrast-based AF is slower and will hunt more in lower light.

How does SnapBridge compare to Wi-Fi for image transfer?

SnapBridge uses Bluetooth LE to maintain a constant low-power link with your phone, automatically trickling images to your device as you shoot without intervention. It's slower than Wi-Fi per file, but since transfer happens automatically in the background, you get images on your phone faster in practice. The tradeoff: no wireless remote control, and the app can lag if your memory card is full of thumbnails.

Will this body work with older Nikkor lenses?

The F mount accepts most Nikkor glass, but the D3400 lacks an internal AF motor - older manual-focus lenses work fine, but AF-dependent older glass won't autofocus. Recent G, D, AF-S, AF-P, and AF-I lenses support full metering and focusing. Check Nikon's compatibility chart if you're pairing specific legacy glass.

How does the 1200-shot battery rating hold up in real use?

The EN-EL14a is rated for 1200 shots per charge under CIPA test conditions, a substantial jump from earlier models. Real-world mileage depends on flash use, Live View time, and SnapBridge activity - if you enable background image transfer, battery drain accelerates. The meter gives only a three-segment warning, so carry a spare if you're out for a full day.

Can I shoot RAW continuously at 5 fps?

You'll get the first seven RAW frames at 5 fps before the buffer fills; after that, the rate becomes erratic. For consistent burst shooting, stick with JPEG - the buffer holds around 70 frames at 5 fps before slowdown. RAW+JPEG drops the buffer to just 6 frames, making it impractical for rapid-fire sequences.

What's the video AF behavior like during filming?

The upgraded AF-P kit lens quiets the motors and improves focus tracking during video, making continuous AF more usable than on earlier models. That said, it still hunts in low contrast, can jump focus into the distance, and is slower acquiring lock than viewfinder AF. For critical video work, single-point AF or manual focus yields better results.

Is the built-in flash useful?

The Guide Number is 7m at ISO 100 - not powerful. It also fires automatically in 'auto' mode even in well-lit scenes, which can confuse beginners. External flash via the hot shoe is the better choice for fill or primary flash work.