• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D3200 advantages over Canon SL2

  • Less expensive
    $477 vs $549
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 22 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    12 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Canon SL2 advantages over Nikon D3200

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 540 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.08 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D3200
Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All D3200 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SL2
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)
All SL2 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.

  • Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.

  • Read our Nikon D3200 Review

  • Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.

  • Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.

  • Read our Canon SL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D3200
Sony A65
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A65

Canon SL2
Sony A65
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony A65

Compared to Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5200

Canon SL2
Nikon D5200
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D3200
Sony A58
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A58

Canon SL2
Sony A58
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL2 vs Sony A58

Compared to Nikon D3500

Nikon D3200
Nikon D3500
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL2
Nikon D3500
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Nikon D3200
Canon SL3
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Canon SL3

Canon SL2
Canon SL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?