• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3400 advantages over Nikon Z6

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    645g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 47 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon Z6 advantages over Nikon D3400

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,299 vs 1,192 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer video battery life
    85 vs 60 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    35 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3400

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Review Excerpt

  • Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.

  • SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.

  • Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.

  • Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D3400
Canon T6i
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon Z6
Canon T6i
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400
Nikon D5500
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon Z6
Nikon D5500
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D3400
Canon SL2
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon Z6
Canon SL2
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon T7

Nikon D3400
Canon T7
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $464
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Nikon Z6
Canon T7
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $464
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Sony A7 III

Nikon D3400
Sony A7 III
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Sony A7 III
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Higher effective ISO
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