Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50
72 Imaging
68 Features
70 Overall
68


74 Imaging
67 Features
84 Overall
73
Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D3500 and Nikon Z50. The full galleries are provided at Nikon D3500 Gallery and Nikon Z50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Nikon Z50
D3500 | Z50 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Nikon D3500
Z50 | D3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | October 2019 | ![]() | August 2018 | Newer by 13 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z50 Specifications
Nikon D3500 | Nikon 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 |