dougbev3 Loc: Pueblo, Colorado

I have been told several times,,, It is not the camera,, it is the lens; buy great glass and you have great pictures.... So that is what I have been spending my money on, one lens at a time... Oh, I too am retired and on a fixed income.... Good luck to you

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Look at Nikon remanufactured there having a 10 % off sale know now d750 around 1500,00

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Several questions you need to answer, to help you decide the right course...

1. Do you regularly make really big prints... say, 16x24" or larger?

2. When you say you photograph "animals", do you mean tame, domestic critters (as opposed to "wildlife")?

3. Do you regularly use very high ISO above 3200?

4. And are you are prepared to carry a bigger, heavier, kit of gear?

5. And, do you either have FX lenses already or have a healthy budget to purchase FX lenses?

If you answer "YES" to the above questions, an FX camera might be be in your future. But if you answer "NO" to those questions, you'd likely see little benefit... Or might even find yourself worse off.

There are a lot of myths about "full frame" cameras and, quite frankly, switching to one WILL NOT somehow magically make for "way better quality pictures".

Crop sensor DX cameras and lenses are actually a lot more capable than many people realize, and since they can fully utilize both DX and FX, give access to a greater selection of lenses. To "get the quality" possible with FX, you will also have to invest in high quality FX lenses to use on the camera... and those will be bigger, heavier and more expensive, as will the camera itself.

In fact, some of the recommendations in previous responses would give you little or no potential improvement over what you already have with your D3300. For example, a Nikon D700 is a 12MP camera... half the resolution of your current camera. A D610 or D750 is 24MP, same resolution as D3300... just FX format instead of DX. Those models would make for "better images" IF you make really big prints from them and/or IF you tend to use really high ISOs such as 6400 and up.

But there are significant "costs" involved in switching to FX. The camera itself will typically be bigger, heavier and more expensive. But so will too will be the lenses you'll need to use on it. This is most noticeable and dramatic with telephotos, such as a wildlife or sports photographer might use. For example, on crop sensor cameras I frequently use an easily handheld 300mm f/4 a lot for sports and wildlife. That lens weighs 2.5 lb. and cost about $1400. It uses a 77mm diameter filter and at about 10" long, fits easily into a small backpack. In order to photograph the same subjects the same way with my full frame camera, I will need to use a $9000 500mm f/4 lens that weighs 8 lb., is about 18" long (plus a 6" deep lens hood) and has a 150mm diameter front element. Due to the 500mm's size and weight, for anything more than a couple minutes shooting, a sturdy tripod or at least a monopod is also necessary... so add some more weight, bulk and cost for one of those, too.

It's not as apparent at the other extreme... but in order to produce a large enough diameter image circle to fully cover the larger sensor wide angle lenses for FX also need to be bigger and heavier, usually making for a higher price. For example, Nikon now produces a $300 AF-P 10-20mm DX lens for use on your D3300. That lens weighs half a lb. and is about 3" in diameter and under 3" long. But with an FX camera, for something similarly wide you'll need a $900 AF-S 16-35mm f/4 that weighs 1.5 lb., is slightly over 3" in diameter, and is close to 5" long.

Face it, if you switch to FX you will need to spend more and carry bigger, heavier gear around.

And, all for what? You really aren't going to see any sort of magical improvement in your images. You may see some incremental improvement in image quality from an FX camera, but only if you use quality FX lenses on it, make large prints and/or use very high ISOs.

A common mistake with digital photography is viewing images way too large on a computer monitor. If you are looking at your D3300's 24MP shots "at 100%" on the typical monitor, that's equivalent to making a print 40 x 60"... FIVE FEET WIDE... then looking at it from 18 or 20" away. When you look at any image that large, you're bound to see every little flaw, grain and speck of noise. And it has no bearing on reality... when you're judging your images for sharpness, noise, and even focus accuracy, back off to a more practical magnification. If you print 8x12", that's 20% magnification. Heck, even a 16x24" print is only 40% magnification. And online display is far less, due to the low resolutions you need to use. By the time you resize the image for it's intended purpose, many flaws seen "at 100%" completely disappear. Heck, even if you were to make a gigantic 40x60" print, you wouldn't view it from 18 or 20".

It's fine to use high magnification when working on and retouching images, but be more realistic when you're evaluating sharpness, noise, graininess and focus accuracy. Your images from your D3300 are probably much better than you realize.

You also didn't mention what lenses you are using. Those might offer better opportunity for image quality improvement, than the camera they're used upon. High quality, very capable lenses are available for both FX and DX cameras.... and are often a lot less costly for DX cameras.

Your best course of action might be to work more with your D3300 and learning to use it more fully. Maybe studying some books or taking a photography class or two would be helpful. I have no idea your skill level, so only you can say. But if you can't make great images with your D3300, you're unlikely to see much improvement from an "upgrade" to an FX. In fact, just the opposite might happen... the "problems" you have now with a DX camera will just be bigger and more obvious with an FX camera.

Finally, if you want a mirrorless Nikon camera, I hope you're patient! You could be waiting for many years for a Nikon "mirrorless" camera. So far the only mirrorless they've produced have been ultra-compact "Nikon 1" series cameras that use a 1 inch sensor that's even smaller and less capable than your D3300's. The selection of lenses for Nikon 1 are also quite limited. The latest news is that they will be abandoning the "Nikon 1" series, plan a new line of mirrorless, and are leaning toward FX format with those... but there is no known timeline or any guarantee that they won't end up compromising with a more versatile and practical DX format mirrorless. It's mostly just talk at this point.

Besides, "mirrorless" are all the rage right now. As a result, they tend to be pretty pricey. You can get a lot more for your money with a DSLR. And, mirrorless are great for some things... but not so much for others. Their potentially smaller size and lighter weight can make one great for travel or for "street" photography. But there are some challenges making them work with ultrawide lenses, such as might be wanted for landscapes or architectural interiors. There also aren't many powerful telephotos for sports and wildlife photographers, who also might prefer a DSLR's autofocus system and optical viewfinder, over what's offered in most mirrorless. Sure, some mirrorless systems can utilized lenses designed for DSLRs, via an adapter. But doing that sort of defeats a lot of the reasons for spending more to get a mirrorless camera.

In the end, a mirrorless camera also doesn't make for "better pictures" in any way. Many of them simply use the same sensors as are being used in DSLRs, producing identical quality images with a slightly more compact camera, but with less lens selection and some other compromises.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Well, I wasn't going to say anything in response to Your post but, . . . . . . I don't know what kind of lenses You have now for Your D3300, and what I am going to say to you is merely from personal experience. I lost My Wife to cancer in May of 2015. Naturally I was extremely depressed and probably still am to some degree. So I needed something else to do and think about all the time. I got the bug! I gave My D80 to My Daughter to replace her Canon T4 or something like that cause She was always complaining about it. She has not touched the Canon since then. I got online with B&H in New York and ordered a new D750 with a 24-120VR kit lense and the newer Tamron 70-300VR lense and a really good B&W polarizer filter for the kit lense. Very nice camera and it does some really neat things that I never thought about doing before like pictures at dusk or even at night without using the flash because of the high ISO capabilities and vibration reduction. It is heavy though. I will be 75 in January and after spending a day taking pictures at an airshow My neck is usually pretty sore, and I too am on a fixed income and retired. Later I saw a sale on Nikons web site for a refurbished D5200 with a 18-55 kit lense that has some specs that I liked, so I bought it to back up My D750. I really like the D5200 and soon found myself using it more than the D750. As I was reading responses to Your original post I thought, Holy cow They are coming out of the woodwork like a bunch of vultures trying to sell Her equipment that they no longer want or need instead of answering your question. You did get a lot of good advice from a lot of reply's also. Now, I am happy with these 2 newer cameras, but I am not seeing what I would say was a lot of better pictures. I did not buy what I am sure would be classified as really good glass with either camera, and I am sure I need a lot more experience and practice. One thing I have learned on here is probably really good glass and training and experience will result in much better images and more satisfaction. I really think I would have been better off and saved a lot of money if I had just bought the D5200 and invested in much better lenses and forgot about the D750. If I were You I would give some serious thought to keeping that D3300 and investing in some really good glass for it when able like some have suggested. Wish I had received that advice before My purchase's, but I didn't think about getting on this web site until after I bought them. Just My opinion from My experience. Hope this helps and best of luck either way You decide.

Bill_de Loc: US

Wanting better quality pictures is a goal many/most of us have. Before just looking for different equipment, maybe you should start posting pictures in the Critique section. Although sometimes the responses may seem too critical, just take them all in without complaint. Then you can decide what recommendations will help you attain your goals. In those responses you may find hints to better ways to take your pictures, and even what new lens or camera might be a help.

You can start by posting in the Gallery and just ask for honest opinions. If somebody says you should have done something different, don't explain why you didn't. That starts debates. You just take in the information and debate the pros and cons with yourself, the next time you pick up the camera.

And, keep saving for the next camera or lens so when you really know what you want you will be able to get it.

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db2step Loc: arizona and Idaho

I like your idea and yes I just got a macro for the camera will need more time to test it out. thanks Diane

db2step Loc: arizona and Idaho

Thank you for the information. I will take my time deciding what I should do.

db2step Loc: arizona and Idaho

I didn't know about the internal motors I like the idea of the cheaper lens's since I would have to buy all new if I went to a fx. thank you Diane

david2day Loc: Central Coast, Calif.

I have a very nice collection of Nikon lenses and a D800 that I no longer use. Many filters and Nikon accessories. My investment is over $12,000. I will part with this for $5,000. Satisfaction guaranteed. Money back. If your interested, let me know and I will send you a detailed inventory. ddayz@comcast.net

db2step Loc: arizona and Idaho

Wow thanks for the offer but I am still researching what I want to do its a big investment if I go from a dx to a fx. so still soaking in info. Diane

db2step Loc: arizona and Idaho

I really like your idea since its hard for me to decide want I want in a camera

db2step Loc: arizona and Idaho

Gees after reading your I think I will stay with the light d3300 I just upgraded my lenses to much better quality but haven't used them much. Now I will start using them a lot more. I am going to photo work shops in the spring so I am really looking forward to going. I guess your right I will post some of my pictures I am not a beginner and do take good pictures. My problem is I'm trying to get pictures of birds from far away and do not really have the gear to get closeups that are sharp. I also use my p900 a lot and does a pretty good job at closer subjects because is so much lighter. I do not use a tripod very often just for night shots.
I really appreciate all the time it took you and your advise and will start using my d3300 a lot more. Thank you Diane

dougbev3 Loc: Pueblo, Colorado

If you want really good close ups of birds, build a blind, use a remote trigger, and place this in front of a bird feeder.... Talk to your local camera shop, to help you...

db2step Loc: arizona and Idaho

Thanks for your reply Now I see how they get some of those good pictures. Diane

db2step Loc: arizona and Idaho

thank you for your reply is just upgraded to 3 good lens (used)