This is an appendix of our Nikon D3200 test. The measurements were carried out with the aid of Imatest. For the test method and explanation of terms, see FAQ. Conclusion and practice recordings are in the Nikon D3200 test. Look at our list of tested cameras for a comparison of these performances with those of other cameras. | ![]() |
Resolution |
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The Nikon D3200, with a good lens like the Nikon 35 mm 1.8 DX set to f/5.6, yields a jpg file with a resolution (on average over the ISO 100-6400 range) of 2650 lLW/PH, with a maximum of more than 3000 LW/PH at 200 ISO. With a standard processing of RAW files in Lightroom the same sharpness impression and average resolution is obtained. The resolution of the Nikon D3200 jpg files are much higher than the resolution measurements for jpg files of the Nikon D5100 and Nikon D7000. This is probably due not only to the higher number of megapixels, but possibly also to the degree of moire filtering and / or in-camera sharpening of jpg files. Sharpening is easily recognized by taking a look at Imatest images: the resolution measurements show shoulders. The graphs below clearly show that a Nikon D3200 jpg file (left) is more sharpened than a Nikon D7000 jpg file (right). |
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Dynamic range
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Noise |
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Comparison of the noise in jpg files with the measured noise in RAW files without noise reduction, shows that in the jpg files more noise reduction occurs above 400 ISO. |
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Below are examples of a at different ISO settings photographed gray card. Left you see RAW files without noise, right standard jpg images. These are 100% crops as you see the pictures full size on your screen. In the dark areas there’s often more pronounced noise than in mid-gray. Therefore, I would use the Nikon D3200 preferrably only with ISO settings below ISO 1600. In the Nikon D3200 review, we show a detail of an ISO 1600 jpg file, in which the noise is more pronounced than in gray patches below. |
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RAW (no NR!) | JPG | ||||||
Color accuracy @ daylight |
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The Nikon D3200 delivers RAW files with good color rendering. But the color accuracy of modern cameras is very close. We are dealing with very small differences. The Nikon V1, for example, performs almost as good as the Nikon D3200.
The illustration shows the errors of an ISO 100 color jpg image, shot in daylight. The further the ideal color (square) is removed from the color of the camera (round), the greater the color difference. Remarkably, especially blue, red and (blue + red)= magenta (numbers 13, 15, 17 in the image) vary relatively more than other colors. Click on the image for larger version. |
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Color accuracy @ tungsten light |
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By artificial light you can for both jpg and RAW files, not blindly rely on the auto white balance, as clearly seen in the results shown for a 200 ISO jpg file. Click on the image for larger version.
Conclusion and sample images are shown in the Nikon D3200 review. |