Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3200

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D700 and Nikon D3200. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D700 were released 2008 and Nikon D3200 was released 2012. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D700 2008
Nikon D3200 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D700 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D3200 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D700 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D3200 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D700 has a 12,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3200 has 24,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D700 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832
Nikon D3200 24,2 MP
24064000 pixels
6016 x 4000

Nikon D3200 has a 100 % larger resolution than Nikon D700. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D700 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3200. Nikon D700 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Nikon D3200 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D700 200-25600
Nikon D3200 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D700 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3200 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D700
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3200

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D700 can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3200 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D700 8
Nikon D3200 4

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D3200. Sadly, the Nikon D700 does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D700 weighs 1074 gr (equal to 2.37 lb) which is 113% heavier than Nikon D3200 and its 505 gr (or 1.11 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D700 1074 gr
2.37 lb
Nikon D3200 505 gr
1.11 lb

Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3200 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D700 and Nikon D3200, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Name Nikon D700 Nikon D3200
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Release Year 2008 2012
Release Date 2008-07-01 2012-04-19
MSRP 2999 USD 699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4256 x 2832 pixels 6016 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 12,1 MP 24,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED EXPEED 3
Image
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
ISO Range 200 - 25600 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 11
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 922000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD with 160° viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72× 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Frames per second 8 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional with WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter
Remote Control Optional Optional
GPS Yes
Optional through GP-1
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D700
Nikon D3200
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1000 shots 540 shots
Width 147 mm 125 mm
Height 123 mm 96 mm
Depth 77 mm 77 mm
Weight 1074 gram 505 gram