Is the Nikon D3300 good for starters?

I'm looking forward the buy the above mentioned beast. My question, however, is it good for people who've never really tried photography? If not, what are some cheaper alternatives that don't differ too much in quality?

It's a very good camera and can take excellent photos, as long as you know what you are doing (i.e. What settings to use in different scenarios, if you don't want to rely on the scene modes - sports, landscape, fully auto, etc)

What are you intending to do with the photos? What sorts of photos are you intending to take?

The photo quality in a DSLR comes from the size of the sensor and the lens (and the photographer). You can get reasonable quality photos from cheaper cameras like bridge cameras or compact cameras but they can be limited by the optical compromises taken in the longer zoom range that such cameras tend to have as well as the smaller sensors.

If your photos are going on FB or IG or similar you probably don't need a DSLR like the Nikon because you end up making the photos so small you don't benefit from having a DSLR. If you intend to aim higher in your photographic endeavours then a DSLR may well be for you. Just beware that DSLRs can use different lenses and the zoom range for each is considerably smaller than you'd get with a compact camera. You may be happy with landscapes and people, but if you want to photograph things at a distance (animals) you'll need another lens, and that's where photography can get expensive. All dSLRs are basically the same. They're all equally difficult to use if you don't know what to do with them yet but at least you can shoot at Auto mode the moment you walk out the store.

Picture quality depends mostly on the photographer's skill. If the photographer knows what he's doing, he can survive with any camera. The other way around, if you don't know what you're doing, you can only get lucky. The easiest way to get lucky is to get a camera that's fun to use. Those are the Sony Cybershot point-and-shoot cameras and the Fujifilm bridge cameras. The Nikon D3300 is an excellent beginner's DSLR. Here's a nice 13 page review.
http://www.dpreview.com/...ikon-d3300" rel='nofollow' class='ext_link'>http://www.dpreview.com/...ikon-d3300

And here's another good review.
http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/cameras/news/a552395/nikon-d3300-review-a-great-choice-for-beginners/

Among the unique features in Nikon entry-level DSLR's is the Guide Mode, which helps to guide new photographers through typical situations.
http://thecameraguides.com/nikon/d3300/easy-to-use-guide-mode-on-nikon-d3300/

And the D3300 is very capable, with the right lenses and a skilled photographer, of capturing amazing images.
Go to this link and type in the Search box subjects of interest to you and see what the D3300 can do.
It's good, but the Pentax K-50 is better-featured.

All dSLRs are basically the same. They're all equally difficult to use if you don't know what to do with them yet but at least you can shoot at Auto mode the moment you walk out the store.

Picture quality depends mostly on the photographer's skill. If the photographer knows what he's doing, he can survive with any camera. The other way around, if you don't know what you're doing, you can only get lucky. The easiest way to get lucky is to get a camera that's fun to use. Those are the Sony Cybershot point-and-shoot cameras and the Fujifilm bridge cameras.

The Nikon D3300 is an excellent beginner's DSLR. Here's a nice 13 page review.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d3300

And here's another good review.
http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/cameras/news/a552395/nikon-d3300-review-a-great-choice-for-beginners/

Among the unique features in Nikon entry-level DSLR's is the Guide Mode, which helps to guide new photographers through typical situations.
http://thecameraguides.com/nikon/d3300/easy-to-use-guide-mode-on-nikon-d3300/

And the D3300 is very capable, with the right lenses and a skilled photographer, of capturing amazing images.
Go to this link and type in the Search box subjects of interest to you and see what the D3300 can do.

It's good, but the Pentax K-50 is better-featured.