Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D60

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3500 and Nikon D60. 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 D60 was released 2008. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3500 2018
Nikon D60 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D60 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D60 has 10,2 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 D60 10,2 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

Nikon D3500 has a 139 % larger resolution than Nikon D60. 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 D60. Nikon D3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D60 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3500 100-25600
Nikon D60 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Neither of these two cameras has a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that supports autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own, and often they rely on the cameras providing this autofocus motor but since these two camera models do not have this either it will result in no autofocus is possible.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D60

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 D60 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3500 5
Nikon D60 3

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 D60 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 D60 weighs 522 gr (equal to 1.15 lb) which is 43% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb
Nikon D60 522 gr
1.15 lb

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D60 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3500 and Nikon D60, 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 D60
Name Nikon D3500 Nikon D60
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
Release Year 2018 2008
Release Date 2018-08-30 2008-01-29
MSRP 499 USD 649 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 10,2 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 3200
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 D60
Autofocus Motor No No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 11 3
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
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
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
Articulated LCD Fixed No
Screen size 3” 2.5”
Screen dots 921000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
Frames per second 5 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
No
Remote Control Yes (via Smartphone) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3500
Nikon D60
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger

Battery Life (CIPA) 1550 shots 500 shots
Width 124 mm 126 mm
Height 97 mm 94 mm
Depth 70 mm 64 mm
Weight 365 gram 522 gram