If you're looking for a camera that can serve as an upgrade from your typical point and shoot or something more compact, then you really can't go wrong with the Nikon D3200.
Any budding photographer may find the process of shopping around for lenses, accessories, SD cards, mounts, and tripods to be a daunting task, and of course, you're itching to get snapping.
But hold on there. Whether you want a camera for family occasions or looking for a semi-professional DSLR to get those wildlife shots, you need the right gear and lenses for the job.
The amount of lenses on offer can seem a chilling prospect to go through and find what you're looking for but fear not.
This guide will outline the features of the Nikon D3200 and the different lenses available to suit each need and capture you are looking for, so read on if you want to get your camera game on point.
Nikon D3200
If you've just purchased your D3200 you might be wondering what your bit of kit can really do and what the full features that are on offer here.
The D3200 sports a high-resolution 24.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor, full HD video recording, and a lightweight body.
The D3200 is a capable DSLR camera for beginner photographers, but that doesn't mean you have to compromise on the quality of your photographs.
It might please you to know about the simplified user interface and the lightest and most compact camera body for those getting used to a new camera and want to play around with its settings.
This is a third iteration of the camera, with the D3000 making its debut in 2009, followed by the D3100 in 2010.
Available lenses For The Nikon D3200
So you have some grasp of what your camera can do, but now you want to get out there and try out different lenses and see what results you get.
You could spend a lot of time shopping around, and with different types of lenses, it can seem like there are a lot of possibilities, so knowing what type of lens you purchase and how to get the best results from them is very important.
Below we have provided the best lenses for the D3200 you can get right now and have separated them by type so you can find exactly what you're looking for.
Best Lenses For Nikon D3200 – Comparison Table
Best Lenses For Nikon D3200 – Reviews
All-In-One Lenses
An all-in-one lens is a great option if you want to cover a whole range from wide-angle to fairly long telephoto.
You might see these lenses called macro lenses because they can focus on your chosen subject and can cover a lot of photographic possibilities without changing lenses.
These lenses are perfect for those who may be new to using different lenses and want something that can do more with the same lens and enhance their experience.
With an 18-250mm focal length and full-time manual focusing, this can seem a great option, especially if you're traveling light and don't want to switch out lenses for more close-up shots.
This lens is equipped with a super multi-layer coating to reduce flare and ghosting, with a hyper sonic motor to ensure fast and quiet auto-focusing.
With stabilization as a feature, you no longer have to miss that exciting next picture-taking opportunity.
If you shoot at different focal lengths, this lens has got you covered. It can focus on wide-angle scenic landscapes and group photos, or portraits with softly blurred backgrounds.
With a super-telephoto close-up and everything in between, it comes down to that if you can see it, this lens will definitely capture it.
If you're a bit shaky when taking photos, there's no need to worry as the lens has vibration reduction technology to help keep photos looking sharp.
This one lens solution is adept in a wide variety of situations with a maximal angle view of 76 degrees and a minimal angle view of 8 degrees.
A great walk-around lens with a zoom lock switch means you can have your setup ready to go, wherever you are, as the inspiration hits you.
If you're looking for more versatility in the quality of your capture, the lens Offers superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, even with wide aperture settings.
Wide Angle Lenses
If you want a lens that can capture as much as possible in a scene, a wide-angle lens should be something to consider.
Any lens with a focal length of 35mm or wider is considered a wide-angle lens, while 24mm or wider is considered an ultra-wide lens.
So it's wise to consider what you're looking to capture with your lens, as these lenses usually aren't that effective at taking close-up shots.
These types of lens create a perspective distortion that work best when photographing objects with lots of straight lines, like buildings or cityscapes.
With this in mind, if you know what you want to capture, we have provided some of our top picks for wide-angle lenses below.
Sigma's 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC ultra-wide zoom lens for your SLR camera is ideal for landscape photography, interiors, group, party pictures, and so much more.
This lens is best at working with close foreground subjects as this lens features a minimum focusing distance of 9.4-inch at all focal lengths ensuring great photographic potential.
The wide-angle view of up to 102º also offers greater freedom, and when you look through this lens, you'll see potential pictures that you didn't even know were there.
This lens has an 8MM metal lens construction with a hybrid aspherical element and multi-layer lens coating, which will give you more effective viewing angles and a sharply defined image.
The wide-angle lens has a manual focus with the potential to capture a stunning 180-degree view, but it may not be suitable if you're looking for an entry-level lens that doesn't require too much setup and want to avoid too much distortion in your pictures.
Walk Around And Portrait Lenses
To put it simply, walk-around lenses are just extended standard zoom lenses.
The zoom of these lenses tends to be the most useful in terms of range, as they can start from 24mm to 70mm or higher if you're using a full-frame camera.
This type of lens is helpful in most genres of photography, including landscape, travel, food, and portraits.
It's also seen as an upgrade from a kit lens, which usually comes with the camera you purchase, so if this lens doesn't cut it for you, consider upgrading to a walk-around lens.
If you're looking for a lens that can do wide-angle and portrait shots, look no further.
With the vibration reduction feature, you can produce in-focus shots with longer exposure times and up to four slower shutter speeds, making it easier to manage.
In the box, you'll get a lens hood, snap-on front lens cap, rear lens cap, and a handy soft case for those times when you want to use multiple lenses and don't want to bundle them together in the same bag.
If you're looking for a compact mount that can still get you good results even in low light, then you may want to consider this one.
It has a photo filter thread size of 52 millimeters, rear focusing, and manual focus override, making this lens ideal for travel, portraits, and everyday life.
You will want to consider that this lens doesn't have zoom capabilities, so to get the right zoom, you may have to move closer to the subject, and in some scenarios, this may not be convenient for you.
Telephoto Zoom Lenses
If you're thinking about taking your camera outdoors and maybe want to capture pictures from afar, a telephoto zoom lens might be what you're looking for.
You can use this lens to utilize a focal length shorter than the lens' physical length, and these cameras may take longer to set up and focus on subjects that may be further away or might move quickly.
They can also be great for creating contrasting focuses between foreground and background, meaning your captures will look more professional for inclusion in your portfolio.
At this point, you may be thinking about a large lens you might see in the wild or in professional settings, but now manufacturers provide more options and versatility for any level of proficiency in photography.
This lens offers a built-in motor that allows autofocus and incorporates a macro feature with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 at the 300mm focal length.
It has been built to work in various shooting environments and is perfect for sport, wildlife, and even portrait photography.
If you're worried about the quality while in zoom, you can be assured of high image quality throughout the entire range.
This lens will pair well with your D3200 as comparing this to a kit lens shows similar aperture ranges, and both feature vibration reduction, but with this lens, you get an equivalent zoom of 300mm.
This can make a massive difference if you are shooting in wide areas such as wildlife or sports stadiums.
The auto focus is smooth and nearly silent enough, but at times it may take some time to adjust, especially if you introduce low-light conditions.
This lens will pair well with your D3200 as comparing this to a kit lens shows similar aperture ranges, and both feature vibration reduction, but with this lens, you get an equivalent zoom of 300mm.
This can make a massive difference if you are shooting in wide areas such as wildlife or sports stadiums.
The auto focus is smooth and nearly silent enough, but at times it may take some time to adjust, especially if you introduce low-light conditions.
Buyer's Guide
Now we've shown you what types of lens that are out there, there may be a few things you want to consider alongside your purchase.
After all, the last thing you want is to get out there and discover that you've forgotten something, especially if you plan to be at your shoot for a while.
We've outlined some of these below, and maybe, you might find something here that could be useful to you.
The Equipment You're Going To Use
You want to ensure that you have the right equipment for the job.
If you are going to take wide shots outdoors and you're spotting some local wildlife, a tripod might be an accessory you might want to consider.
You should also ensure you have adequate SD card storage on you and any back-ups should you take more pictures than what you were expecting, as it makes for good practice if you're considering doing any professional work.
Price
Photography can be expensive as price points for certain cameras, lenses, mounts, tripods, and editing software could put some people off.
It's best to be realistic about the sort of camera you're looking for, and the Nikon D3200 is a good place to start as it's affordable and is very useful for a beginner to learn its features and interface.
What You Intend To Capture With Your Camera
What is it you want to capture with your lens, exactly? Knowing this can narrow down the lenses available to you, making it easier for you to make that choice.
If you want a simple camera for family events and occasions, you can easily get away with the kit lens that does most of what you want.
You could upgrade to an all-in-one lens, but you have to consider if you're going to get the most practical use out of it.
You could save money and the time it takes to set the camera up to your specifications, so start with the kit lens and see if your shots require an upgrade or not.
Protection Filters
Some lenses will come with these filters, but you may want to consider getting one or several if you have more than one.
The best filter is usually an ultraviolet filter that can block out light from the sun and prevent scratches and fingerprints from getting onto the lens.
However, this doesn't make your lens indestructible if considerable force hits it or it falls over, but these filters aren't that expensive and can be used as well as other filters to create certain effects in your shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Nikon D3200 Easy To Use?
Yes, it is easy to use as the camera interface has very clear marked dials and buttons.
It also has an easy mode dial, so you can have the camera pre-set the controls for you, so experimenting with the controls is very simple.
You can also check the manual that comes with your D3200 that can suggest ways to get the most effective shots and explains the features in more detail.
What Lens Does The D3200 Come With?
The camera comes with the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor,18-55mm, with a stabilized lens that gives you an accurate view through it.
If you've used a point-and-shoot camera before, you'll find it easier to frame your shots, follow moving subjects, and zoom in on bright sunny days.
This lens will suit those who want a simple everyday camera, but an amateur or professional might want to consider the lenses we've listed above.
Is The D3200 A Full Frame Camera?
The camera is a crop sensor camera, but this shouldn't make you go out and buy a different one because most affordable entry-level cameras have crop sensors and the bigger and more expensive ones have full frames.
This doesn't compromise the quality of your photos, and there is the option to upgrade to a full-frame lens if you feel you could do with an upgrade.
The Bottom Line
Now you have an idea of what lens is great for your D3200, you can experiment and have fun in different locations, and whether you're a beginner or professional, you will find something to work with when you include your new lens, which will take your shots to another level.
Are you going to see family, or attend a sports day? Get the camera out and see what shots are your best and which ones need improving.
After all, your positioning and technique are just as important as what camera you use, and this will only improve with enough time and practice.