• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1000.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon P520 advantages over Nikon D3300

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D3300 advantages over Nikon P520

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.26 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    75 mm vs 101 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

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Buy the Nikon P520

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3300
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Grey)
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)
All D3300 Deals

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.

  • Read our Nikon D3300 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P510

Nikon P520
Nikon P510
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon P510

Nikon D3300
Nikon P510
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $649
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Nikon P510

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon P520
Sony A58
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon P520 vs Sony A58

Nikon D3300
Sony A58
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Sony A58

Compared to Samsung WB1100F

Nikon P520
Samsung WB1100F
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $527
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon P520 vs Samsung WB1100F

Nikon D3300
Samsung WB1100F
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $527
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Samsung WB1100F

Compared to Nikon P530

Nikon P520
Nikon P530
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon P530

Nikon D3300
Nikon P530
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Nikon P530

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon P520
Nikon D5500
  • $427
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in GPS
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5500

Nikon D3300
Nikon D5500
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D5500

Compare Other Cameras?