Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D vs Nikon D3400 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D
63
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D3400
61
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D and the Nikon D3400 are both APS-C DSLRs. The Canon arrived in 2019, three years after the Nikon's 2016 release. Their dimensions are close: the Canon measures 122 x 93 x 70 mm and weighs 449 g, against 124 x 98 x 76 mm and 445 g for the Nikon. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 10, 2019 | August 17, 2016 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 122 x 93 x 70 mm | 124 x 98 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 449 g | 445 g |
| Optics | 61/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe lens mount is the commitment that matters most: the SL3 takes Canon EF and EF-S lenses, while the D3400 uses the Nikon F DX mount, so any lenses you already own should guide the choice. For handheld shooting, the Canon is the stronger pick because it offers in-body stabilisation, which the Nikon lacks, steadying handheld frames with unstabilised lenses. The stills fundamentals are shared: both use an APS-C CMOS sensor, shoot at 5 fps, top out at a 1/4000 second shutter and carry a 25600 ISO standard ceiling. Resolution differs only slightly, at 24 MP for the Canon and 24.2 MP for the Nikon. Nikon offers 11 autofocus points against Canon's 9, and Canon's expanded ISO reaches 51200 while the Nikon's stops at 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
22.3 x 14.9 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF/EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 8 | Expeed 4 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
512003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 83/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor video, the SL3 is the clear choice for anyone shooting beyond casual clips: it records 4K, while the D3400 tops out at Full HD. The extra resolution gives more room to crop or reframe a shot in editing without the picture going soft. The Canon also offers a built-in timelapse mode and records in MPEG-4 as well as MOV. Both cameras record video, and 60 fps is the top frame rate on each. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesControls and connectivity favour the Canon for vlogging and travel. Its screen fully articulates and responds to touch, so you can frame a selfie or a low ground-level shot and tap to set focus, while the D3400's screen is fixed and button-driven. The Canon also offers Wi-Fi for quick transfer to a phone, which the Nikon lacks, though both support Bluetooth. Its screen resolves slightly more detail at 1040000 dots against 921000. Neither camera offers GPS or weather sealing, and both include a built-in flash plus support for an external flash, so adding light is easy on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 45/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long days of shooting, the Nikon D3400 holds the longer battery rating: its EN-EL14a is rated at 1200 shots, against 1070 for the Canon's LP-E17. Both cameras use a single SD, SDHC or SDXC slot, but the Canon's slot supports UHS-I cards for faster offload with suitable media. Neither body charges its battery over USB, so a charger goes in the bag. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E17 | EN-EL14a |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1070 shots1505000 | 1200 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / 250D if you shoot handheld in dim rooms, record video alongside stills, or film yourself. In-body stabilisation steadies handheld frames with unstabilised lenses, 4K recording leaves room to crop, and the articulating touch screen with Wi-Fi makes framing and sharing simple.
Choose the Nikon D3400 when stills-only endurance matters most, such as a full day of travel photography without a charger, since its battery rating runs longer. Anyone already holding Canon or Nikon lenses should stay with that mount.