Nikon Z fc vs Nikon D3500

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

Nikon Z fc

Nikon D3500

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z fc were released 2021 and Nikon D3500 was released 2018. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon Z fc	2021
Nikon D3500	2018

Type of camera

Nikon Z fc is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

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 Z fc	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon Z fc has a 21 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
Nikon Z fc	21 MP 20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712
Nikon D3500	24 MP 24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000

Nikon D3500 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon Z fc. 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 Z fc has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Nikon Z fc has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D3500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon Z fc	100-51200
Nikon D3500	100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon Z fc 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 Z fc
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. Nikon Z fc can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z fc	11
Nikon D3500	5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z fc and Nikon D3500 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 Z fc weighs 445 gr (equal to 0.98 lb) which is 22% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon Z fc	445 gr 0.98 lb
Nikon D3500	365 gr 0.8 lb