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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Nikon D5500 front
Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 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
  • Replaced the Nikon D3400
Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Superseded the Nikon D5300
  • Later Model is Nikon D5600
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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Nikon D3500 versus Nikon D5500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both of them are produced by Nikon. The resolution of the D3500 (24MP) and the D5500 (24MP) is pretty comparable and they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3500 was launched 3 years after the D5500 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the D3500 scores against the D5500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Nikon D5500

 D3500 D5500 
AnnouncedAugust 2018January 2015More modern by 45 months

Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Nikon D3500

 D5500 D3500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5500

 D3500 D5500 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D3500 offers outer measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5500 has sizing of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3500 versus Nikon D5500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the D3500 against the D5500.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D3500 and D5500 is 72 and 71 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes only by going through a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D3500 and D5500.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of files though you may want to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The younger D3500 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3500
Portrait photography with Nikon D5500
81
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
79
has manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography details
Nikon D5500 Street photography details
69
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (365g)
great high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
provides touch to focus
lighter than average in class (420g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography information
Nikon D5500 Sports photography information
70
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
good battery (1,550 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
68
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
great battery life (820 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography details
Nikon D5500 Travel photography details
71
good battery (1,550 shots)
lighter than competition in class (365 grams)
has bluetooth
good MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
81
great battery life (820 per charge)
lighter than average in class (420 grams)
provides touch to focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography information
Nikon D5500 Landscape photography information
75
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
good battery (1,550 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (820 shots)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3500
Vlogging with Nikon D5500
31
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (365g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of mic support
75
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
lighter than average in class (420 grams)
no image stabilization
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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5500
 Nikon D3500Nikon D5500
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D3500 Nikon D5500
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2018-08-29 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 Expeed 4
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 39
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Available lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 365 grams (0.80 lb) 420 grams (0.93 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 84
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1438
Other
Battery life 1550 shots 820 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14a EN-EL14,EN-EL14a
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $397 $700