It was marketed as an entry-level DSLR camera for beginners (offering tutorial- and improved guide-mode) and experienced DSLR hobbyist who were ready for more advanced specs and performance.

The new kit lens has the ability to retract its barrel, shortening it for easy storage.

The Expeed 4 image-processing engine enables the camera to capture 60 fps 1080p video in MPEG-4 format.

As in the Nikon D5300, the carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer body and also the new retractable kit lens made it smaller and lighter.

In April 2014, the D3300 received a Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) award in the category "Best Digital SLR Entry Level".