• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon SL1 advantages over Nikon D3300

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    1140 vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D3300 advantages over Canon SL1

  • Less expensive
    $16 vs $549
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    24.2 vs 21.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,385 vs 843 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 11.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3300

Review Excerpt

  • Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).

  • Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.

  • Excellent image quality with lots of fine detail; Very good high ISO performance; Good dynamic range; Good print quality; Deep buffers with JPEGs; 1080/60p video; Uncompressed HDMI output.

  • AF struggles in low-light; Contrast-detect AF in live view is slow; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No AE bracketing; No built-in Wi-Fi.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon SL1
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D3300
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A58

Canon SL1
Sony A58
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D3300
Sony A58
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon T5

Canon SL1
Canon T5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon D3300
Canon T5
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1
Pentax K-S1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D3300
Pentax K-S1
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D5500

Canon SL1
Nikon D5500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D3300
Nikon D5500
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
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