Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3500 and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3500

Nikon D3

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3500 were released 2018 and Nikon D3 was released 2007. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D3500	2018
Nikon D3	2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon D3 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D3500	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3 has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon D3500	24 MP 24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000
Nikon D3	12,1 MP 12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832

Nikon D3500 has a 99 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. 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 Nikon D3. Nikon D3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D3 has 200 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D3500	100-25600
Nikon D3	200-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D3 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 Nikon D3500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3500	5
Nikon D3	9

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D3500. Unfortunately Nikon D3 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Nikon D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 256% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3500	365 gr 0.8 lb
Nikon D3	1300 gr 2.87 lb