Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3500 were released 2018 and Nikon D5 was released 2016. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3500 2018
Nikon D5 2016

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 D5 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 D5 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 D5 has 21 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 D5 21 MP
20742656 pixels
5588 x 3712

Nikon D3500 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon D5. 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 D5 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Nikon D5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D3500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3500 100-25600
Nikon D5 100-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D5 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 D5

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 D5 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3500 5
Nikon D5 14

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5 can shoot movies.

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 D5 weighs 1415 gr (equal to 3.12 lb) which is 288% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb
Nikon D5 1415 gr
3.12 lb

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5, 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
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Name Nikon D3500 Nikon D5
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Release Year 2018 2016
Release Date 2018-08-30 2016-01-05
MSRP 499 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5588 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 21 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 EXPEED 5
Image
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 153
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.) 0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Frames per second 5 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Yes
Optional with WT-5A or WT-6A
Remote Control Yes (via Smartphone) Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3500
Nikon D5
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
EN-EL18a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1550 shots 3780 shots
Width 124 mm 160 mm
Height 97 mm 159 mm
Depth 70 mm 92 mm
Weight 365 gram 1415 gram