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Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Olympus E-420 front
Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 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
  • Introduced August 2018
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-410
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Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 Overview

The following is a extended comparison of the Nikon D3500 versus Olympus E-420, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and E-420 (10MP) and the D3500 (APS-C) and E-420 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The D3500 was announced 10 years after the E-420 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the D3500 scores against the E-420 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Olympus E-420

 D3500 E-420 
ReleasedAugust 2018June 2008Newer by 124 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Nikon D3500

 E-420 D3500 

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Olympus E-420

 D3500 E-420 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3500 features outer measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Olympus E-420 has dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D3500 versus Olympus E-420 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the D3500 against the E-420.

Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D3500 and E-420 is 72 and 77 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking technical specs. The pic underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D3500 and E-420.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D3500 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Nikon D3500 will give more detail with its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent D3500 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-420 as a Portrait photography camera
81
focusing manually
decent MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
57
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-420 as a Street photography camera
69
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (365 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
64
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others (426g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-420 Sports photography highlights
70
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (1,550 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
39
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
low battery (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3500
Travel photography with Olympus E-420
71
better than average battery pack (1,550 per charge)
lighter than competitors (365g)
has bluetooth
decent MP (24MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
53
lighter than others (426g)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low battery (500 shots)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-420 Landscape photography highlights
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (1,550 per charge)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
low battery (500 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-420 Vlogging factors
31
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (365 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic socket
9
no video recording
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Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-420 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Olympus E-420
 Nikon D3500Olympus E-420
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D3500 Olympus E-420
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2018-08-29 2008-06-23
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4 TruePic III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 309 45
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365 grams (0.80 pounds) 426 grams (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 56
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 527
Other
Battery life 1550 photographs 500 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $397 $999