Make your Head Hurt - D3200 Vs Nikon 1 J3

TaoTeJared

I scratch my head so much when I look at Nikon's pricing and offerings that I'm surprised I'm not bald yet.

The following question was posed to me:
Should I get a D3200 or a Nikon 1 J3. They are both $400.

These are the basics


All I want to know is which YOU would Pick and the main 3 reasons why.

This should be interesting.

WestEndBoy

D3200
1.
Larger sensor with all its benefits.
2.
F mount - better lenses.
3.
F mount - eventually the Nikon 1 mount will be discontinued and the lens investment will be lost.

paulr

Nikon 1 1 Lighter 2 Smaller 3 Faster FPS

Elvishefer

It depends!

adamz

Nikon 1 v1
1. same price or cheaper
2. much bigger battery
3. great AF
4. build-in viewfinder

PB_PM

D3200
1. Better all around performance. Meaning better combination of speed an image quality, as soon as ISO400 or higher is required.
2. Optical viewfinder
3. More native mount lens options

NSXTypeR

I too would get a V1.

But if I had to choose between the two I'd get a V3.

1. I have a D7000, I have no need for a D3200.

2. I have a D40, it didn't have enough controls on it for my tastes.

3. I want something smaller.

Pretty easy for me, but I can see how it might be weird for you.

JJ_SO

8 posts and counting... so many work to do with in-depth showing off detail knowledge that nobody wants to waste some time to ask for purpose of camera, background, experience or preferences of buyer, that's the way it has to be.

Confuse the customer, make him/her feel small and dull, impress with tons of numbers and tell him to get a D4, best he can do anyway.

But since this is a forum about rumours and "would probably buy if..." and "Nikon would be so much better of, if they only..." anybody expecting simple advice need to reconsider that idea. :-))

Paperman

Buy both, return the one you like less within the 2 week ( or more if Costco ) return period ">

spraynpray

As I have a D7000 and D7100, I'd get the smaller and lighter J3 with the bonus fps if I was being given one of the two.

If I had to pay, I'd put the money towards glass...

Msmoto

At $400 where does one buy the D3200 with a lens?

Second thought is if one is purchasing one of these it must be with a budget restraint, thus the only one which works is the kit available with lens. V1 comes with the 10-30mm at $400, but I believe the D3200 would be closer to $500.

sevencrossing

If you want high quality, you already have a D800
so I guess you want something smaller, lighter, for every day use
It depends
How do you intend to carry it ?
Will it fit in your bag ?
Do you need high ISO? if so, then I would go for the D3200
Do you need high fps? if so, then its the J3

JJ_SO

To make my previous post clearer: If I read "The following question was posed to me:", then I conclude, somebody was asking @TTJ - it's not TTJ who wants to buy it. As the two systems are very different, it would be interesting in first place for what the camera would have to be used. Reading my post again, I thought if that sentence does mean something else, my joking is incomprehensive.

Coastalconn

I tried the 1 system and wasn't a fan(and I'm a bird photographer).
I would go with the D3200..
1 I could mount my lenses on it..
2 Better IQ'
3 I don't like tiny cameras..

If I was in the market I would actually have picked up a refurb D5200. It was on the bay 2 days ago as a daily deal refurbished(adorama) with a kit lens for $400 and there was a special offer for 13% back in bucks.. so total price was about 350... err I should have purchased one...

TaoTeJared

At $400 where does one buy the D3200 with a lens?

I was surprised by this as well, but I have found dozens with a 18-55 everywhere (+/- $25) and some even cheaper on ebay (new/refurb from trusted sources.) It seems that stores are dropping prices with Nikon's lens rebates.

The person has a family with kids (under 10yrs old) and it is just for family/friends stuff. They just want better photos than their phone. Asking the question "what do you want to shoot?" confuses them as they don't get why that is a question. Shake your head all you want, but they are not a photographer or a hobbyist at all. That is the majority of people who buy these systems. They know how to crop and brighten an image and that is about it.

Eight posts and it is a split (I assumed the sensor size for those said something other than the choices) and I'm still on the fence of this one. It is a strange choice in the sense that the IQ certainly is with the DX but speed (focusing? and FPS) is with the CX system. Built in wifi would win for sure. They want images to be on the phone immediately. I kind of agree with that one.

JJ_SO

In that case, I wonder if it's necessary to have an interchangeable lens? If I'd be asked and get the same informtion and impression as I have now from what you described, I'd opt for a good bridge camera. Sometimes "better pictures" is meaning "larger zoom range, less grainy pictures, preferrably not blurred". I also would not look into Nikon's products but go for a Fuji first - although I've no overview what's going on in this market and the last Fuji I had was years ago. Great sensor in that class, usually decent optics. Years ago, before I finally jumped onto the DSLR train, I was close to get one. Only thing was, those things are weak in lowlight - but that goes for kit-lenses as well, doesn't it?

Or Panasonic Lumix FZ200 / FZ72? Easily in the price range, the FZ200 a bit above. But imho with 25-600/2.8 ! a better choice, if the lenses don't have to be changed for some reasons

Msmoto

Yup, eBay… has a nice kit.… and the D3200 would be my choice if starting out as it would allow expansion of a system to as high up as one wanted to go. The V1 sort of stops if one wants very large prints or extreme versatility …. IMO.

spraynpray

If the choice included the AW1 I'd have it for salty environment shots.

swamesp

I'm not going to decide unless I play with both, to see the image quality. If that's not an option, as mirrorless is an evolving technology I'm siding with 3200!!

tcole1983

I would go with the 3200. Not sold on the 1 series camera yet and I could use all my expensive glass I already have. Although I think I would get a single super zoom lens to use on the 3200.

TaoTeJared

Or Panasonic Lumix FZ200 / FZ72?

Kind of my thought too but they have actually used and gone through a bunch of the "all in one" systems, and I suggested the high end Sony Sony's RX10. In practice, they didn't like them at all and the focus speed usually was the handicap next came image quality of the small sensors. Even from my experience with playing with the (very nice one's they had), companies seem not to put any of the new tech into these even if they say so with the marketing specs. In practice, they just fall really short of a DSLR or the J3. I did play with the RX10 at a store and that really was a nice system but also $1,000. If someone wanted a good travel camera and want the DSLR ergonomics, 24-200mm zoom and not worry about lenses, that is the camera to get. I found myself wishing I had a reason to get one.
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People are starting to sway off the mark - it is between only those two systems. (Stop asking why and yes they both have major limitations) and also please don't assume all your glass is there (because it won't) but that is what it is - straight out of the box.
There will never be any huge prints. I doubt they will be in situations where they are "on the edge" of performance of either system.

They actually buy camera's in a very logical way - they buy a new one every two years and $500 Max (with taxes & accessories) is their budget. (Don't take that as an open door to suggest other systems;) I keep suggesting a DSLR and they can get a new lens every two years - but photographer logic isn't in their bag.

Just to reiterate the goal of the thread so not to get off track:

All I want to know is which YOU would Pick and the main 3 reasons why.

Nuke

I'm a Nikon 1 V2 user and I like the camera for what I do with it but it wouldn't be my selection for my only camera. I'm sure I'd go with the D3200. The IQ will be better considering varying light conditions. I also couldn't live without a VF. I prefer an OVF but an EVF is better then no VF.

DaveyJ

I've owned both. I use the D3200 almost everyday. The HOT Nikon 1 is the AW 1. I am not that impressed with the Nikon 1 J3.In fact I am selling it to a friend at a substantial loss. The D3200 is a nice rig. I am always impressed what the 18-55VR lens will do. The other lens I like on this is the 55-300VR. I also bought a 35mm 1.8 Nikkor DX. Thought I would use that a lot. But that lens is now out to my youngest grandson on PERMANENT loan. He is using it on the D90. That lens just did not do anything for me. It was very highly rated. Just not the lens for my use.