The Canon EOS 700D (called Canon T5i in some regions) and the Nikon D3200 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in March 2013 and April 2012. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 24.1 MP. Show Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.  Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 700D and the Nikon D3200? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers. Body comparisonThe side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 700D and the Nikon D3200. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. The D3200 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the 700D is only available in black. If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3200 is notably smaller (10 percent) than the Canon 700D. Moreover, the D3200 is markedly lighter (13 percent) than the 700D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 700D nor the D3200 are weather-sealed. The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (700D) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3200). Concerning battery life, the 700D gets 440 shots out of its LP-E8 battery, while the D3200 can take 540 images on a single charge of its EN-EL14 power pack. The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options. The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D3200 was somewhat cheaper (by 8 percent) than the 700D at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Sensor comparisonThe size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider , and richer than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses. Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D3200 is 8 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (700D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2. With 24.1MP, the D3200 offers a higher resolution than the 700D (17.9MP), but the D3200 has smaller individual pixels ( of 3.85μm versus 4.31μm for the 700D). It is noteworthy in this context that the 700D is a somewhat more recent model (by 11 months) than the D3200, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. The resolution advantage of the Nikon D3200 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D3200 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.1 x 20 inches or 76.4 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.1 x 16 inches or 61.1 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.1 x 13.3 inches or 50.9 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 700D are 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints. The 700D has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation. The Canon EOS 700D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3200 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-12800. Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras. For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the D3200 offers substantially better image quality than the 700D (overall score 20 points higher). The advantage is based on 2.4 bits higher color depth, 2 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.7 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras. Sensor Characteristics Camera Model Sensor Class Resolution (MP) Horiz. Pixels Vert. Pixels Video Format DXO Portrait DXO Landscape DXO Sports DXO Overall 1. Canon 700D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.2681612. Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.21131813. Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.0919714. Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.0915705. Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.3724636. Canon G7 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.012.7556717. Canon 100D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.811.3843638. Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.2722629. Canon M APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.28276510. Canon 600D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.57936511. Canon 550D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.57846612. Canon 500D APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.56636313. Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.013068414. Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.911928615. Nikon D3300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.813858216. Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.913388317. Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/30p). Feature comparisonApart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The 700D and the D3200 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), as well as the same magnification (0.53x). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 700D and Nikon D3200 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. Core Features Camera Model Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) Control Panel (yes/no) LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) LCD Attach- ment Touch Screen (yes/no) Max Shutter Speed * Max Shutter Flaps * Built-in Flash (yes/no) Built-in Image Stab 1. Canon 700Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 2. Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n 3. Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 4. Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 5. Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n 6. Canon G7 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 6.5/s Y Y 7. Canon 100Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.9/s Y n 8. Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 9. Canon Mnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.3/s n n 10. Canon 600Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n 11. Canon 550Doptical n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 3.7/s Y n 12. Canon 500Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n 13. Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 14. Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 15. Nikon D3300optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 16. Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n 17. Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The 700D has a touchscreen, while the D3200 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point. The 700D has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the D3200 does not have a selfie-screen. Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 700D and the D3200 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s. Connectivity comparisonFor some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 700D and Nikon D3200 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer. Input-Output Connections Camera Model Hotshoe Port Internal Mic / Speaker Microphone Port Headphone Port HDMI Port USB Port WiFi Support NFC Support Bluetooth Support 1. Canon 700DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0- 2. Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0- 3. Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY- 4. Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY- 5. Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0- 6. Canon G7 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY- 7. Canon 100DYmono / monoY-mini2.0- 8. Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0- 9. Canon MYstereo / monoY-mini2.0- 10. Canon 600DYmono / monoY-mini2.0- 11. Canon 550DYstereo / -Y-mini2.0- 12. Canon 500DYmono / mono--mini2.0- 13. Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY 14. Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y 15. Nikon D3300Ymono / monoY-mini2.0- 16. Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-- 17. Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
Both the 700D and the D3200 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D3200 was replaced by the Nikon D3300, while the 700D was followed by the Canon 750D. Further information on the features and operation of the 700D and D3200 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 700D Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D3200 Manual. Review summarySo how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 700D and the Nikon D3200? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants. Advantages of the Canon EOS 700D:
Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3200:
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D3200 comes out slightly ahead of the 700D (8 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one. 700D 07:08 D3200 How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 700D and the Nikon D3200 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop. In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 700D and the D3200 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. Expert reviewsThis is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice. The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style. Other camera comparisonsDid this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
Specifications: Canon 700D vs Nikon D3200Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features. |
