• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D3300 advantages over Nikon S6900

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 180 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 115k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S6900 advantages over Nikon D3300

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3300

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S6900

Review Excerpt

  • 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 Nikon D3200

Nikon D3300
Nikon D3200
  • $206
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Nikon S6900
Nikon D3200
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A37

Nikon D3300
Sony A37
  • $206
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon S6900
Sony A37
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Nikon D3300
Panasonic ZS25
  • $206
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
Nikon S6900
Panasonic ZS25
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon T5

Nikon D3300
Canon T5
  • $206
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Nikon S6900
Canon T5
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon S810c

Nikon D3300
Nikon S810c
  • $206
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
Nikon S6900
Nikon S810c
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer stills battery life
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