Nikon Z8 vs Nikon D3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z8 and Nikon D3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Type of camera

Nikon Z8 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 Z8 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.

** 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 Z8 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Nikon Z8 has a 89 % 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 Z8 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Nikon Z8 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon D3500 has 100 to 25600.

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon Z8 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 Z8
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 Z8 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z8 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 Z8 weighs 910 gr (equal to 2.01 lb) which is 149% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Nikon Z8 vs Nikon D3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z8 and Nikon D3500, 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 Z8	Nikon D3500
Name	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Release Year	2023	2018
Release Date	2023-05-10	2018-08-30
MSRP	3999 USD	499 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX"	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type	Stacked CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	8256 x 5504 pixels	6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels	46 MP	24 MP
Image Processor		EXPEED 4
Image	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
ISO Range	32 - 102400	100 - 25600
White Balance Presets	9	12
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	Yes (Sensor-shift (Synchro VR with select lenses))	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Autofocus Motor	Yes	No
Autofocus	Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	493	11
Lens Mount	Nikon Z See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	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	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 Z8	Nikon D3500
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Fixed
Screen size	3.2”	3”
Screen dots	2088960	921000
Touch screen	Yes	No
Screen type	N/A	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Electronic	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	95%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.8×	0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	3686400	N/A
Photography features	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Frames per second	30 fps	5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	900 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/32000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	No	Yes
Built-in Flash Range	N/A	7 meters
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	Yes	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	H.264 H.265	MPEG4 H.264
Video resolution	1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 7680 x 4320	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Built-in Speakers	Yes	Yes
Storage	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Memory Card		SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
HDMI Output	No	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Built-In	Yes Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Remote Control	Yes (via app)	Yes (via Smartphone)
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Nikon Z8	Nikon D3500
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	EN-EL15c	EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	340 shots	1550 shots
Width	144 mm	124 mm
Height	119 mm	97 mm
Depth	83 mm	70 mm
Weight	910 gram	365 gram