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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Nikon D5100 front
Portability
66
Imaging
56
Features
81
Overall
66

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 Key Specs

Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Announced April 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5000
  • Later Model is Nikon D5200
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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5100, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and they are both manufactured by Nikon. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and D5100 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3500 was released 7 years after the D5100 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the D3500 scores versus the D5100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Nikon D5100

 D3500 D5100 
AnnouncedAugust 2018April 2011More modern by 90 months

Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Nikon D3500

 D5100 D3500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5100

 D3500 D5100 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3500 has outer dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5100 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the D3500 compared to the D5100.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D3500 and D5100 is 72 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3500 and D5100.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon D3500 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern D3500 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3500
Portrait photography with Nikon D5100
81
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography info
Nikon D5100 Street photography info
69
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (365 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
67
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D5100 as a Sports photography camera
70
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery power (1,550 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
63
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking focus
good battery (660 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography features
Nikon D5100 Travel photography features
71
good battery power (1,550 shots)
lighter than competition in class (365 grams)
supports bluetooth
good MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have selfie friendly display
77
good battery (660 CIPA)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon D5100 Landscape photography highlights
75
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (1,550 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
72
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (660 CIPA)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging factors
Nikon D5100 Vlogging factors
31
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (365g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic port
69
selfie friendly screen
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
no image stabilization
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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5100
 Nikon D3500Nikon D5100
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3500 Nikon D5100
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2018-08-29 2011-04-26
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 Expeed 2
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 370.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 1
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.52x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365 grams (0.80 lb) 560 grams (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1183
Other
Battery life 1550 pictures 660 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a EN-EL14
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $397 $0