Canon EOS 1D vs Nikon D3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 1D and Nikon D3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 1D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3500 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 1D were released 2001 and Nikon D3500 was released 2018. That is a 17 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 1D 2001
Nikon D3500 2018

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 1D has a "Canon APS-H"-sensor while Nikon D3500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 1D 65 mm
Canon APS-H sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.3
Nikon D3500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 1D has a 4,1 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 1D 4,1 MP
4060672 pixels
2464 x 1648
Nikon D3500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D3500 has a 491 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 1D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3500 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 1D. Nikon D3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 1D has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 1D 100-3200
Nikon D3500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 1D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3500 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 1D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 1D can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 1D 8
Nikon D3500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D3500. Sadly, the Canon EOS 1D does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 1D weighs 1585 gr (equal to 3.49 lb) which is 334% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 1D 1585 gr
3.49 lb
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb

Canon EOS 1D vs Nikon D3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 1D and Nikon D3500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Name Canon EOS 1D Nikon D3500
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Release Year 2001 2018
Release Date 2001-09-25 2018-08-30
MSRP 5499 USD 499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Sensor Size APS-H (approx 27.9 x 18.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 2464 x 1648 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 4,1 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC EXPEED 4
Image
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 45 11
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-H Sensor
1.3x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 31 mm
50 mm becomes 65 mm
100 mm becomes 130 mm
200 mm becomes 260 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 120000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Frames per second 8 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/16000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 7 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (via Smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 1D
Nikon D3500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Ni-MH Pack NP-E3
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 1550 shots
Width 156 mm 124 mm
Height 158 mm 97 mm
Depth 80 mm 70 mm
Weight 1585 gram 365 gram