Moving up from the Nikon D3100: I've got GAS! I don't have big bucks to spend, but I'm starting to think that something like the D3300 would give me sharper images than I can get with...

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

I've got GAS! I don't have big bucks to spend, but I'm starting to think that something like the D3300 would give me sharper images than I can get with my 3100. Now that I've started looking, other used Nikons in the under five hundred dollar range are clouding the issue. Does anyone have any advice on what would give me the most bang for my limited bucks? Since I have a number of Nikon compatible lenses I am not looking to change brands.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Better technique and sharper lenses will have more impact on a goal of sharper images than changing between entry-level cameras.

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

Keep the body & save your money for better lenses. Also, remember the auto sharpen function on your editing software. My Nikon always left room for a bit of edit sharpening.

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

delkeener wrote:

Keep the body & save your money for better lenses. Also, remember the auto sharpen function on your editing software. My Nikon always left room for a bit of edit sharpening.

Thanks, Delkeener, you are probably right about lens vs body. I mostly shoot birds and small animals so my walk around lens is a Tamron 50-300. A decent 300 plus prime might do me more good. I do use a bit of sharpen in PP.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

axiesdad wrote:

Thanks, Delkeener, you are probably right about lens vs body. I mostly shoot birds and small animals so my walk around lens is a Tamron 50-300. A decent 300 plus prime might do me more good. I do use a bit of sharpen in PP.

I looked at your albino squirrel but not all the comments. Was this just through a window or other potential issues? If you have a filter on the lens used, I'd take it off and not use that filter any longer. I don't see anything sharp in the image where it seems you were well positioned to capture a great image based on the exposure parameters that came through in the EXIF data. A 300mm prime should be an extreme step up from a 50-300 zoom. But, you also need to fully leverage the auto focus capabilities of the camera and post processing techniques to harvest all of the opportunity of the camera & lens combo.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

axiesdad wrote:

I've got GAS! I don't have big bucks to spend, but I'm starting to think that something like the D3300 would give me sharper images than I can get with my 3100. Now that I've started looking, other used Nikons in the under five hundred dollar range are clouding the issue. Does anyone have any advice on what would give me the most bang for my limited bucks? Since I have a number of Nikon compatible lenses I am not looking to change brands.

Chg Canon is right. Technique and the lens are the primary factors. But sensor resolution also plays a role.

The D3300 has a higher resolution sensor (24 Mpix) than the D3100 (14 Mpix). Additionally the D3300 does NOT have a low pass filter (LPF), whereas the D3100 does have a LPF. The removal of he LPF will improve the sharpness.

Sharpness is product of the weakest link, between lens, technique, and sensor resolution. So in this particular case, the D3300 is capable of sharper pics than the D3100 (given good technique and a good quality lens).

You might want to take a read of this article:
https://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/nikon-d3300-vs-d3200-vs-d3100-which-camera-should-you-choose-1320797

Here is a link to a detailed comparison:
https://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D3100-vs-Nikon-D3300

IDguy Loc: Idaho

axiesdad wrote:

I've got GAS! I don't have big bucks to spend, but I'm starting to think that something like the D3300 would give me sharper images than I can get with my 3100. Now that I've started looking, other used Nikons in the under five hundred dollar range are clouding the issue. Does anyone have any advice on what would give me the most bang for my limited bucks? Since I have a number of Nikon compatible lenses I am not looking to change brands.

Get a refurb Nikon D5600. About $500 and many major upgrades. The fully articulated touch screen is marvelous. You’ll really appreciate operating it using the touch screen.

One thing I recently learned is that you can change iso by sweeping your finger across the touch screen...while holding the viewfinder to your eye.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

If you absolutely must give in to this GAS attack, I will give you $100 toward the purchase of your next camera. Of course you will have to send the D3100 to me! I trashed my 3100 in a trip and fall and would love to get a new (lightly used) one! I have a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 on my D3200 and gives me extremely sharp photos (I do sharpen them in postprocessing). If I were in your shoes I would purchase a lens first -- but if you won't, my offer still stands! LOL

wings42 Loc: San Diego, CA

I agree with the above: focusing on your skills and on getting the best lens you can afford are more important than updating the camera body.

A few years ago we went on vacation while my Nikon D7200 was being repaired, so I brought my old beat up D3100 and my favorite travel lens, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G . To my eye (I'm no expert) the photos looked as sharp and with as good color as my D7200 would have taken, except for a bit more noise in low light with the D3100. I love my D7200, but am keeping my D3100 body and am still using and loving my 18-300 lens. The lens is in the shop now for a complete refurbishing, but if Nikon couldn't fix it I would buy another while they're still available.

I look at the D500 camera body with lust, but I'm taking my own advice and not giving in to the GAS attack.

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

axiesdad wrote:

I've got GAS! I don't have big bucks to spend, but I'm starting to think that something like the D3300 would give me sharper images than I can get with my 3100. Now that I've started looking, other used Nikons in the under five hundred dollar range are clouding the issue. Does anyone have any advice on what would give me the most bang for my limited bucks? Since I have a number of Nikon compatible lenses I am not looking to change brands.

You can find the D7200 which is a good move upward from the D3100 for around $850. Possibly with a kit lens on it. Th D7200 is much better by far than the D3300 plus you get an ISO available at 25600 while the D3300 tops out at 6400 I think. Also you have two card slots in the D7200. Since we experience card failure from time to time you can set one card to backup the first card or you can shoot raw on one and jpeg on the other. My D7200's have both been through the rain at a football games and soccer matches. They are still ticking as Nikon said they would. I shoot sometimes thousands of shots a week. Maybe a lot more than that. I mean I have shot a few thousand in a day.

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Guys. I knew I could count on Hoggers. I will now shift my sights to some better glass and keep trying to improve the software behind the viewfinder. Sorry, Photoman022, I won't be letting go of my D3100 "until they pry it...." I may even tell my wife and kids to bury it with me.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

axiesdad wrote:

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Guys. I knew I could count on Hoggers. I will now shift my sights to some better glass and keep trying to improve the software behind the viewfinder. Sorry, Photoman022, I won't be letting go of my D3100 "until they pry it...." I may even tell my wife and kids to bury it with me.

I hope you read my reply as well.

axiesdad Loc: Monticello, Indiana

Of course I did.

JD750 wrote:

I hope you read my reply as well.

ELNikkor

go to the D5xxx line, even the D5300 is much better than the D3300...

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

axiesdad wrote:

I've got GAS! I don't have big bucks to spend, but I'm starting to think that something like the D3300 would give me sharper images than I can get with my 3100. Now that I've started looking, other used Nikons in the under five hundred dollar range are clouding the issue. Does anyone have any advice on what would give me the most bang for my limited bucks? Since I have a number of Nikon compatible lenses I am not looking to change brands.

If it is GAS you have you may want to consider this.
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/dslr-cameras/1575/d5600.html