Nikon Z5 vs Nikon D3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z5 and Nikon D3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon Z5

Nikon D3500

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z5 were released 2020 and Nikon D3500 was released 2018. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon Z5	2020
Nikon D3500	2018

Type of camera

Nikon Z5 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z5 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon Z5	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 Z5 has a 24 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 Z5	24 MP 24160256 pixels 6016 x 4016
Nikon D3500	24 MP 24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000

Nikon Z5 has a 1 % larger resolution than Nikon D3500. 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 Z5 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Nikon Z5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D3500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon Z5	100-51200
Nikon D3500	100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon Z5 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 Z5
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 Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z5	4,5
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 Z5 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 Z5 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 85% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon Z5	675 gr 1.49 lb
Nikon D3500	365 gr 0.8 lb