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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50

Portability
72
Imaging
68
Features
70
Overall
68
Nikon D3500 front
 
Nikon Z50 front
Portability
74
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 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
  • Announced August 2018
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Revealed October 2019
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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both designed by Nikon. The image resolution of the D3500 (24MP) and the Z50 (21MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3500 was revealed 13 months earlier than the Z50 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon D3500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the D3500 matches up versus the Z50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Nikon Z50

 D3500 Z50 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Nikon D3500

 Z50 D3500 
RevealedOctober 2019August 2018Newer by 13 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Nikon Z50

 D3500 Z50 
Focus manually More exact focus

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D3500 offers external dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Nikon Z50 has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the D3500 vs the Z50.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D3500 and Z50 is 72 and 74 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The picture underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3500 and Z50.

As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon D3500 to give extra detail because of its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged D3500 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
80
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (365g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
72
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors (397 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography features
Nikon Z50 Sports photography features
69
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
great battery life (1,550 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
75
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography features
Nikon Z50 Travel photography features
70
great battery life (1,550 per charge)
lighter than average in class (365 grams)
supports bluetooth
good resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
77
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
supports touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (397 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography information
Nikon Z50 Landscape photography information
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3")
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (1,550 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging factors
Nikon Z50 Vlogging factors
31
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (365g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone port
71
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic port
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors (397g)
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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Nikon Z50
 Nikon D3500Nikon Z50
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3500 Nikon Z50
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2018-08-29 2019-10-10
Body design Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4 Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 21MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 5568 x 3712
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 209
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon Z
Number of lenses 309 15
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 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 -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365 grams (0.80 lbs) 397 grams (0.88 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 1550 photographs 320 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Built-in
Battery ID EN-EL14a EN-EL25
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $397 $857