I posted this DEEP in a question that I had in the beginners area but I want some answers from some tried and true Nikon usersBrief history: I've been snapping shots actively since I graduated High School (and even earlier if you count the 110 camera I had as a kid). As I've progressed my cameras have become more and more advanced until I got to My trusty Canon S5IS which finally gave out on me (coming up with some beep and lens error message, and it's def. served it's purpose over the last 6 or 7 years). When I purchased that way back, I said the next one is gonna be a DSLR. I've found myself quite limited with the camera since I've been progressing and in looking through a lot of shots I can honestly say now that I am not happy with the IQ that it presented me with. While some pictures would come out beautifully, any small adjustment to ISO would sent it into a nosedive of noise that would make just about everything unusable.I got lucky enough to borrow my friends D5200 for a road trip last March and to say that I was blown away by the differences is an understatement. Even shooting through a dirty windshield the shots came out amazing compared to the S5IS, in fact I was looking through some of them last night in comparison to my camera and was still in awe. I even decided to do the ZOOM scroll in with the mouse and with one or two scroll clicks on the wheel I couldn't even tell what I was looking at with the shots from my S5IS while the shots with the D5200 looked clean (even for the blockyness) all the way in.Things I really enjoy shooting: Landscapes, buildings/architecture, birds and lizards (just can't help it they're so entertaining) with the occasional family snapshots. I also know that I need something that's got more 'oomph' than what I had and really enjoyed shooting with a friends 5200 last March. I also enjoy shooting color shots as well as taking those color shots and constructing black and whites through software (what a difference it was when I learned how to do it properly vs. simply 'converting' using the wizard). I've had a chance to play with the t3i and t3 in depth and neither just didn't feel right to me (there's a long list of reasons but I have no interest in a flame war getting going LOL)Since I'm also planning on picking up lightroom or something to edit with. My laptop junked out too which had my old Photoshop CS3 on it so I need to figure something out but that's for the future.My budget is right around $700 tops!Fast Forward: I went to the store to look at the D3200 kit that I was interested in and the 55-200mm lens is NOT a VR lens!  So with that I'm left with three choices (or something creatively suggested by you!)I've been browsing several internet sites and can find the 55-200mm VR around $135. I've heard some not so good things about this lens as well as some decent things about this lens. I don't really know if I'd need it right away, but I do know that I enjoy shooting birds and lizards as I've said and think that may be a bit difficult to manage -- without a lot of crop editing with the 18-55 kit lens.I've picked up some Hoya filters whenever I see a good steal on one online so I've already got some of the accessories that I will need as far as that goes.So with all of this what does everyone think? Correct me if I'm wrong but the big differences between the D3200 and the D3300 are the removal of the sensor filter, the redesign of the lens (so it's smaller when not in use), some weight reduction, battery improvement, in camera effects, the new image processor (giving it approx. 1FPS more in burst mode -- could be handy when I want to take the camera to the baseball games), the in camera panorama which operates much like the iPhone and a redesigned guide mode.I do know and understand that there will be quite the learning curve ahead of me with all of the features and settings offered on this vs. my old powershot so I'm pretty sure that I would be playing with the guide mode a good amount to help get my feet wet with it.Future plans: Once I get the camera, I will be spending a lot of time here still. I started taking a photography class at my local community college, however the professor wasn't interested in teaching us fundamentals, rather the class was a 90 minute slideshow of images he thought looked good from the internet coupled with American History. I've done a lot of self-study as well as just playing with different options and taking shots multiple times to learn how settings compliment each other. I also plan on starting up a flickr account.Thanks so much for all the advice so far everyone!

You will find very little difference ( if at all)  in the image quality or operation of these cameras.

Based on your descriptions and the two models in question ..... I would put the cost saving in to the D3200. I have been pleased with the Nikon55-300 DXVR lens as well.D3200 and Nikon 55-300 DX VR at 185 mm, F5, 1/2000 sec, EV+0.67, ISO 450, (minimal post processing)

Dgolden wrote:Fast Forward: I went to the store to look at the D3200 kit that I was interested in and the 55-200mm lens is NOT a VR lens! So with that I'm left with three choices (or something creatively suggested by you!)A good bundle. The downside is the fact you have to swap quite frequently the lenses because of awkward 55 mm changing pointThe old non VR 55-200 mm lens is not a very good one. It will take time to sell it and you have to pay more for it than you get at the end. Too much work for $3 profit, don't you think? And if it will give you only $50 then the loss will be of $9 and the fuss to sell it.Nothing so spectacular for the new body. 18-55 mm would be quite restricting.I've been browsing several internet sites and can find the 55-200mm VR around $135. I've heard some not so good things about this lens as well as some decent things about this lens. I don't really know if I'd need it right away, but I do know that I enjoy shooting birds and lizards as I've said and think that may be a bit difficult to manage -- without a lot of crop editing with the 18-55 kit lens.The 55-200 mm VR is a decent lens. It is not the quality of the 70-200 f/2.8 but neither is the price.A crop of a shot with that lens. I've picked up some Hoya filters whenever I see a good steal on one online so I've already got some of the accessories that I will need as far as that goes.You'll soon find out that the filters are not necessary and are a waste of money except high quality ND filter or circular polarizer.So with all of this what does everyone think? Correct me if I'm wrong but the big differences between the D3200 and the D3300 are the removal of the sensor filter, the redesign of the lens (so it's smaller when not in use), some weight reduction, battery improvement, in camera effects, the new image processor (giving it approx. 1FPS more in burst mode -- could be handy when I want to take the camera to the baseball games), the in camera panorama which operates much like the iPhone and a redesigned guide mode.Nothing important. Try to find a kit with any of those (or Nikon D5100) and 18-105 mm VR. You will appreciate the flexibility. If you find out that 105 mm is too short for you then you can purchase a telephoto lens. At least for me the 18-55 mm lenses are neither wide enough nor long enough to be frustrated by using them.I do know and understand that there will be quite the learning curve ahead of me with all of the features and settings offered on this vs. my old powershot so I'm pretty sure that I would be playing with the guide mode a good amount to help get my feet wet with it.If your learning skills are normal you will find the guide mode obsolete in about half an hour. There are camera simulators on the Internet that will help you much more.Future plans: Once I get the camera, I will be spending a lot of time here still. I started taking a photography class at my local community college, however the professor wasn't interested in teaching us fundamentals, rather the class was a 90 minute slideshow of images he thought looked good from the internet coupled with American History. I've done a lot of self-study as well as just playing with different options and taking shots multiple times to learn how settings compliment each other. I also plan on starting up a flickr account.Thanks so much for all the advice so far everyone!The two cameras are so close that I would not have a choice between them (it is like asking which plastic knife is better, the white one or the newly pink colored one).Good luck!

It's interesting that you say the D3200 18-55 kit lens is non-VR. I purchased a D3200 last year and the kit lens is definitely VR! Including the little switch on the side to turn VR on or off. Mystery.

My recommendation is to go to a store and hold both the D3200 and the D3300. Nikon redesigned the grip and the D3300 feel significantly better in hand than the D3200.  I can get my entire hand on the D3300 while my pinky has to sit under the D3200.

I can't see much difference between D3200 and D3300. Kit lens will do for a start.Have a look atCambridge in Colourand the tutorials. Read the Manual, not forgetting the Reference Manual PDF on disk.Forget about Auto/Guide mode, stay away from M mode. Shoot in A mode for landscape, S mode for sports; nothing much else you need to know. Shoot plenty and examine the results; change settings and try again. Need shorter or longer lens? Buy that; lenses in my gear list aren't bad.

If you plan to learn photography, you will very soon find your D3xxx cameras extremely limiting.I would suggest going one notch above, either D5x00 or D7000 which can give you a lot more creative control for very little price difference, especially with refurbished.The D3xxx cameras are excellent in image quality. But once you get more serious about photography the classic case of buy cheap and buy twice will apply.

You might also keep an eye out for D3100 blow out bargains. I picked up a 3100 with kit VR lens for $135 CDN. Obviously the sensor and screen in the 3200 and 3300 are better, but my 3100 is working great for me. I picked up a used 55-200 VR for $120, but may flip it soon as I don't really like the build quality and found I used the kit lens for 98% of my shots.

Thanks to all of you who replied!I've been to the store 3 times this week playing with them and the 3200 felt about the same in my hands as the 3300. I went with the 3200 and picked up the 55-200 vr with it as well.I was looking at the 5200 but decided if worse comes to worse if I end up needing an upgrade I can use this as a backup or let the other half have it for the auto mode.Can't wait to pay with it later tonight xDThanks again for all the advice!