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How to Change the Aspect Ratio of Photos with the Nikon D3400

The Nikon D3400 doesn't offer the option to choose a different aspect ratio when taking photos, but here's a partial workaround that works for small numbers of images at a time.

Nikon D3400 Change Aspect Ratio

Categories: DSLRs, How To Guides
Tags: Nikon, Nikon D3400 DSLR
Last updated about 1 year ago // Originally published about 3 years ago

Some cameras let you set an aspect ratio for shooting photos. Many of the more basic cameras come with a default aspect ratio of 4:3. Many of the more advanced cameras come with a standard aspect ratio of 3:2, which, not coincidentally, is the same aspect ratio as 35mm film.

The Nikon D3400 has a sensor that generates images that are up to 6000×4000 pixels, which is an aspect ratio of 3:2.

But what if you want to change that? What if you want to shoot still images that are 16:9, for instance? That is the aspect ratio we’re accustomed to for HD video (most flatscreen TVs and many computer displays are that aspect ratio).

Well, there’s a good and not so good news.

First, the not so good. There’s no way to adjust the shooting aspect ratio in the D3400. You can change the size, which applies to the pixel measurements, but you can’t actually change the aspect ratio of the images as they’re shot. Regardless of which picture quality and size settings you choose, still images are always shot with the D3400 at 3:2 aspect ratio (video is always 16:9).

What you can do, however, is crop the images after the fact in the camera. What you need to do is go to the Retouch Menu and then use the Trim function.

Nikon D3400 Aspect Ratio Trim 1

There you’ll find options to crop the aspect ratio to 4:3, 5:4, 1:1, and 16:9. You access each of these preset templates rotating the options dial at the top right of the back of the camera.

3:2 Aspect Ratio

Nikon D3400 Aspect Ratio Trim 2

4:3 Aspect Ratio

Nikon D3400 Aspect Ratio Trim 4

5:4 Aspect Ratio

Nikon D3400 Aspect Ratio Trim 5

1:1 Aspect Ratio

Nikon D3400 Aspect Ratio Trim 6

16:9 Aspect Ratio

Nikon D3400 Aspect Ratio Trim 7

Making Adjustments

You can control the position and size of the crop.

To move the crop frame, use the direction buttons around the OK button on the back of the camera.

To resize the crop frame, use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons. They’re both on the back left of the camera–the magnifying glass symbols with the plus and minus signs. As you resize the crop frame you’ll notice the pixel dimensions at the top right adjust. You’ll also notice that the resizing is a fairly blunt instrument because it adjusts in steps rather than smoothly.

Nikon D3400 Aspect Ratio Trim 3

Limitations

There are limitations. For one, it only applies to JPG files. If you’re shooting with the RAW NEF files, you can apply the trim and it will save a new JPG file alongside the original NEF. The original NEF will remain untouched.

For another, you can only work on a single image at once, so if you’re hoping to do it for a sequence you’ll find it exceedingly tedious.

So it’s not a true replacement for the option to set a shooting aspect ratio, and it doesn’t work well for multiple images. For more fine-tuned control or to apply the crop to multiple images at once you’ll be better off doing it in post with something like Lightroom. But it does come in handy if you want to share a photo with a different aspect ratio directly from the camera.

Q&A

Can the Nikon D3400 shoot panoramas? The previous model, the D3300, had a built-in panorama mode. Nikon has done away with that in the D3400. It’s still possible to shoot panoramas with the D3400 by shooting the image sequence and stitching it together using panorama stitching apps. It takes more work and post-processing, but the results are potentially much better. I’ve put together a guide to shooting panoramas with the Nikon D3400 here.

Where to Buy a Nikon D3400 DSLR

The D3400 is an excellent camera for getting started with DSLR photography. But now that it has been replaced with a newer model, it will become increasingly hard to find in stores.

Some good places to look for new D3400s are Amazon and B&H Photo.

You can also find them used at major used camera gear sellers such as KEH (which is where I often buy when I'm looking for used gear).

Popular Lenses for the Nikon D3400

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras (Renewed)
This Certified Refurbished product is manufacturer refurbished it shows limited or no wear
$240.00 −$31.00 $209.00
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR...
F mount lens/DX format. Picture angle with Nikon DX format 44 degree; 52.5 millimeter (35-millimeter equivalent). Rear focusing; Manual focus override
$196.95
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens
Focal length 50 millimeter, minimum focus distance 1.48 feet (0.45 meter); Optimized for edge to edge sharpness on both fx and dx format d SLRS
$216.95

Nikon D3400 Batteries & Chargers

BESTON 2-Pack EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a Battery Packs and USB Fast Charger for...
$27.99
STK EN-EL14 EN-EL14a Battery for Nikon D3400 D5600 D3500 D3200 D3300 D5300...
TESTED INDEPENDENTLY FOR SAFETY - CE and RoHS Safety Certification.; HAVE A PROBLEM, LET US KNOW We take care of our customers just email us.
$14.99
FirstPower EN-EL14 EN-EL14a Battery 2-Pack and Dual USB Charger for Nikon...
$26.99

Popular Accessories for the Nikon D3400

All You Need Giant Accessory KIT for Nikon D3400 D3500 D5600
GIANT ALL YOU NEED 55MM ACCESSORY KIT FOR NIKON D3400 D3500 D5600; INCLUDES A WIDE ANGLE LENS, MACRO LENS 2.2X HIGH DEFINITION TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS, BACKPACK
$189.00
USB Cable Compatible with Nikon DSLR D3400 Camera Only, Compatible with...
Important:fit for Nikon DSLR D3400 Only! Not Compatible with other Nikon Camara!; Important: Download function only. can Not charge camera!
$5.99
Nikon D3400 24.2 MP DSLR Camera + AF-P DX 18-55mm VR NIKKOR Lens Kit...
Includes all original accessories plus a 90 Day Manufacturer Warranty; Nikon D3400 24.2 MP DSLR Camera with AF-P DX 18-55mm VR Lens Kit
$549.00
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on November 14, 2019

Categories: DSLRs, How To Guides
Tags: Nikon, Nikon D3400 DSLR

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News & Deals

With the holidays fast approaching, there’s some great deals on photography gear and services available. I’ve put together a roundup of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020 Photography Deals. It’s a running list as new deals are announced, so be sure to check back.

Canon announces new EOS Rebel T8i DSLR. Canon has announced their new T8i DSLR. 24MP APS-C cropped CMOS sensor, 4K24 video, and updated image processing and detection systems. It’s available for preorder from B&H Photo.

New Firmware for the Ricoh GR III. Ricoh has release firmware v1.31 for the GR III. Release notes are: “Corrected — When shooting with the multiple exposure, in rare cases the live view may not display correctly. Improved stability for general performance.” You can download it here.

New Canon 1D X Mark III Pro DSLR Announced. Canon has announced their new flagship model of pro DSLR, the 1D X Mark III. They’re sticking with a 20.1MP CMOS sensor, but it’s a new and improved version and boasts an incredible native ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 102400 and an extended range that goes up to a jaw-dropping ISO 819200. With revamped autofocus, a new image processor, and all sorts of other bells and whistles, it’s no wonder that Canon is billing it as “The Ultimate EOS.”

New Manfrotto Pro Rugged Memory Cards. Manfrotto, an Italian probably best known for their tripods and studio accessories, has launched a new Pro Rugged range of high-end SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards. While they don’t have a huge selection of sizes and speeds, the cards are aiming for very fast cards that can put up with rugged demands. For instance, they claim that their V90 rated SD cards can withstand three times the force (20kg / 45 lbs) of a regular SD card. I’ve ordered some to run through my speed tests.

New Sony Alpha a7 firmware released. A firmware update for the Sony a7R IV now lets you control external Sony flashes from the camera’s own menu system. Up to 15 flashes in five groups can be controlled via the camera. It also applies to the a7R III and a7 III.

Comments

  1. Yvonne says

    June 3, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Hi Thank You for posting this site. It’s answered a lot of questions I have. I’m an amateur photographer and have been playing with my Mom’s Nikon D3400. Love the camera! I have a lot of dumb questions about compression. LOL!!! I’ve been playing with raw and jpg, and raw+jpg. Not realizing after downloading my images on my iPad and my PC that I was losing resolution from editing my images. (Didn’t know you could ruin an image that way😬) So if I edit the image-crop, change exposure, etc right on the camera do I still lose resolution or quality? Also the images that I’ve already altered on my pc/tablet, has that affected the images that are on my SD card (lowered quality/resolution?) I know I need a camera for dummies book. Haha haha!
    Thanks in advance!!! Yvonne

    Reply
    • David says

      June 4, 2020 at 1:24 pm

      It depends how the editing is done. If you’re editing the images and resaving it over the top each time, doing that with JPG files will keep degrading the image each time you do it. But some image editing apps, like Lightroom, use a non-destructive workflow that saves the edit instructions in its database and won’t alter the original image (i.e., it treats the originals like master film copies).

      Reply
  2. Atiq says

    December 28, 2018 at 5:56 am

    How to change mega pixel for Nikon DS 3200

    Reply
    • David says

      December 28, 2018 at 6:35 am

      There are a couple of ways to do it. Probably easiest is to use the main menu system on the back of the camera. Go to the Shooting Menu tab (camera icon) and then choose Image Size. You can choose from Large (6016x4000px), Medium (4512x3000px), or Small (3008x2000px). You can find an alternative way to change the image sizing using the Information button here.

      Reply

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I take photos. I travel. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

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