Overall, the D3300 snapped high-quality images using its 24.3-megapixel sensor, with strong detail and accurate color in bright light but noticeable noise (graininess) by low light at high ISO (sensitivity) settings. Although the resolution of the D3300 is unchanged from its predecessor (the D3200), Nikon has tweaked the sensor by removing the optical low-pass filter (OLPF), which softens the image slightly to make sharp edges look more natural. We didn't see a lot of difference between the two models, though: both models produced very sharp images with a fine level of detail.
To get comparable results, we test all mainstream DSLRs and mirrorless cameras —those with a so-called APS-C-size sensor — using a prime (non-zooming) lens of roughly a 32 mm focal length, which is equivalent to a 50mm on a full frame camera. In this case, we chose Nikon's 35mm f/1.8G, which sells for $196. We also spot-checked against Nikon's 18-55mm Zoom Lens, which you can purchase with the D3300. The 35mm-prime is slightly sharper than the kit lens, meaning you won't see all the camera is capable of with the packaged lens.
A shot of a memorial plaque in the same transept in low light shows the same issue. The edges of the names are not sharp, because the noise has softened the details somewhat.
The noise level of the image increases as the ISO level goes up. Noise reduction removes much of the noise, but also a lot of the fine detail.
We didn't see much noise in our analysis of the captured JPEG images at lower ISOs, but some started creeping into images at ISO settings above 1600. This noise became more pronounced when we took photos in low light, which needed higher ISO settings of 3200 and above, although the camera's built-in noise-reduction (NR) feature did ameliorate the graininess somewhat.
This did have a cost, however. The noise reduction also removed some fine details in the images. It is possible to strike a better balance between noise reduction and detail using RAW images and a program such as Photoshop that allows you to apply more finesse to the noise-reduction process.
Although the camera technically supports an astronomical ISO of 25600, we'd advise not shooting above ISO 3200 for a large image if you can avoid it. If you are printing smaller images or posting them to Facebook, the noise and noise-reduction effects are tolerable up to ISO 6400.
Most cameras allow you to set different levels of noise reduction, to find an adequate balance between the amount of noise and the loss of detail that noise- reduction entails. The D3300 offers a binary On/Off option for noise reduction, though, without in-between levels. Also missing is long-exposure noise reduction, in which the camera tries to remove noise in longer exposures by capturing a dark frame (one with the shutter closed, so all it contains is the noise) and subtracting it from the image.
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Nikon D3300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Zoom Lens (Black)