The Nikon D3400 is going to be right up your alley. This compact yet powerful camera accurately captures the lighting, colors, and scenes that inspire you to take a photo in the first place, letting you explore your potential and express your creative vision.

You'll learn as you go

It's likely you'll impress yourself and others with what you can do with the D3400 right out of the box, but with regular practice you'll grow as a photographer by leaps and bounds. Auto mode lets you put Nikon's nearly 100 years of collective knowledge to good use for effortlessly great results. Guide mode teaches you how to get a little more hands-on with step-by-step instructions right in the camera, while Aperture and Shutter Priority modes let you test the waters before you take the plunge into full-on Manual mode.

After about three months with my Nikon, I was doing things I never thought I could. With the addition of an inexpensive tripod and wireless remote control, I was capturing starry night scenes that wowed friends and family, including a few long-time photographers. There's almost no limit to what you can do with an entry-level DSLR like the D3400.

Serious imaging power meets smartphone sharing convenience

By far the best thing about smartphone photography is the ability to share your memories in an instant. Nikon makes it easy to share gorgeous high-resolution photos taken with the D3400 right from your phone. SnapBridge technology with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) lets you transfer your shots instantly to your compatible mobile device for quick, convenient sharing.

An agile lens to get you started

Nikon picked the perfect starter lens to go with this capable camera. Its 18-55mm focal length gives you the flexibility to shoot expressive portraits with dreamy blurred backgrounds, sweeping landscapes with the entire scene in focus, and everything in between. You can even capture detailed close-ups from less than a foot away.

This fresh lens design includes a pulse motor for lightning-fast, whisper-quiet autofocus — great for shooting smooth video sequences. Built-in vibration reduction minimizes image blur and camera shake when shooting stills or video in low light without a tripod.