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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Nikon D4 front
Portability
50
Imaging
62
Features
81
Overall
69

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 Key Specs

Nikon D3500
(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
  • Launched August 2018
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Older Model is Nikon D3S
  • New Model is Nikon D4s
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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Pro DSLR and both are designed by Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and D4 (16MP) and the D3500 (APS-C) and D4 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The D3500 was released 6 years later than the D4 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon D3500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Nikon D4 being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the D3500 scores versus the D4 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Nikon D4

 D3500 D4 
ReleasedAugust 2018January 2012Fresher by 81 months

Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Nikon D3500

 D4 D3500 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Nikon D4

 D3500 D4 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution921k921kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3500 comes with physical dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Nikon D4 has dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the D3500 compared to the D4.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3500 and D4 is 72 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by going over technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D3500 and D4.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The D3500 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Nikon D3500 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more modern D3500 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 Portrait photography advice
Nikon D4 Portrait photography advice
81
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
77
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3500
Street photography with Nikon D4
69
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (365g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
56
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography features
Nikon D4 Sports photography features
70
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (1,550 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography details
Nikon D4 Travel photography details
71
better than average battery life (1,550 CIPA)
lighter than competition (365 grams)
connects via bluetooth
MP count good (24MP)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
59
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3500
Landscape photography with Nikon D4
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3")
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (1,550 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
74
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D4 as a Vlogging camera
31
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (365 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic port
26
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Nikon D4
 Nikon D3500Nikon D4
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3500 Nikon D4
Category Entry-Level DSLR Pro DSLR
Launched 2018-08-29 2012-01-06
Body design Compact SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4 Expeed 3
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 36 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 860.4mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4928 x 3280
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 51
Cross type focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with brightness control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes 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 Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365g (0.80 lbs) 1340g (2.95 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 2965
Other
Battery life 1550 pictures 2600 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a EN-EL18
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC CompactFlash, XQD
Storage slots 1 Two
Launch price $397 $4,500