Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
56
![Nikon D3100 front Nikon D3100 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Nikon_D3100_0.jpg)
![Nikon D3500 front Nikon D3500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Nikon-D3500.jpg)
72 Imaging
69 Features
70 Overall
69
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Launched December 2010
- Previous Model is Nikon D3000
- Later Model is Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 365g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
- Released August 2018
- Older Model is Nikon D3400
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D3500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras and they are both designed by Nikon. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and D3500 (24MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The D3100 was released 8 years earlier than the D3500 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the D3100 grades against the D3500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D3100 and Nikon D3500. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D3100 Gallery and Nikon D3500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Nikon D3500
D3100 | D3500 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Nikon D3100
D3500 | D3100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2018 | ![]() | December 2010 | Fresher by 93 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D3500
D3100 | D3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3100 provides physical dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Nikon D3500 has measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs).
Check out the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D3500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the D3100 compared to the D3500.
![Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 size comparison Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D3100-vs-Nikon-D3500-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and D3500 is 68 and 72 respectively.
![Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 top view buttons comparison Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D3100-vs-Nikon-D3500-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3100 and D3500.
Clearly, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D3500 to give you greater detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older D3100 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
![Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 sensor size comparison Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-D3100-vs-Nikon-D3500-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D3100-vs-Nikon-D3500-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3500 Specifications
Nikon D3100 | Nikon D3500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon D3100 | Nikon D3500 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2010-12-21 | 2018-08-29 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 2 | Expeed 4 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 355.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 24MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Highest boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 1 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 309 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | 0.56x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Off, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/200 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 505 grams (1.11 lbs) | 365 grams (0.80 lbs) |
Dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 67 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 919 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 photos | 1550 photos |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL14 | EN-EL14a |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $565 | $397 |