Two-minute review
It may now be two years old, but the Nikon D3500 remains the best entry-level DSLR for beginners who are looking to step up from point-and-shoot photography.
The D3500's age means it now represents great value at current prices, and it has all of the traditional DSLR strengths, including an incredible battery life and great handling.
Of course, it isn't perfect, as you'd expect at this price. The main drawbacks are the lack of 4K video capture, some cost-cutting with the external controls, and the absence of touchscreen functionality. If you need the latter, it's worth considering alternatives like the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D, or a mirrorless camera like the Fujifilm X-T200.
Neither of those cameras come close to the D3500's 1,550-shot battery life, though, and it does compensate for the lack of a touchscreen with a handy 'Guide' mode for beginners, which takes you through the process of creating effects like a blurred background. It's a great way for inexperienced shooters to understand manual settings and start building their knowledge.
The D3500's 24.2MP sensor produces impressive results, although you'll want to invest in some additional lenses to really see its potential. Fortunately, Nikon's DX system has a vast range of lenses to suit pretty much every shooting style and budget. Still, we'd recommend buying the D3500 with the 'VR' version of its kit lens –the AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR – as this brings handy vibration reduction for very little extra cost.
Some more AF points would have been nice, but the 11-point AF system works fine for general shooting, and does the job for some moving subjects too.
If you're looking for a smaller camera for travel shooting, then mirrorless alternatives like the Fujifilm X-T200, Canon EOS M50 or Panasonic G100 are worth considering. But as an affordable, beginner-friendly camera that'll teach you the nuts and bolts of creative photography, then the Nikon D3500 is a fine choice.
Nikon D3500 review: features
- New sensor, but effective resolution stays the same
- No touchscreen or 4K video
- Bluetooth connectivity
The D3500 retains the same effective 24.2MP pixel count as the old D3400, but this is a newer sensor, and closer inspection of the specs shows that the total count on the D3500's sensor stands at 24.78MP, compared to 24.72MP on the D3400.
The APS-C sized sensor (typical for an entry-level DSLR, and much larger than the sensors used in most compact cameras) in the D3500 also does away with an optical low-pass filter to help improve image quality.
The D3500's ISO sensitivity range of 100-25,600 is also pretty wide, but doesn't improve on the D3400's range.
Nikon D3500 specs
Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS
Lens mount: Nikon F
Screen: 3.0-inch fixed display, 921,000 dots
Burst shooting: 5fps
Autofocus: 11-point AF
Video: Full HD 1080p
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Battery life: 1,550 shots
Weight: 415g (with battery and card)
Given that most mirrorless cameras (and even smartphones) offer 4K video, it's a bit disappointing to only see Full HD capture on the D3500. It's not all bad news though, as the D3500 can shoot at a smooth 60/50p, as well as 30/25p and 24p, while there are lower-resolution recording options as well.
There's also no microphone port, so you'll need to rely on the D3500's built-in monaural microphones. If you're looking to shoot video regularly, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.
Nikon has also opted to carry over the same 3.0-inch display, with a modest 921,000-dot resolution, from the D3400. The screen is fixed, and sits flush with the body – if you want a DSLR with a vari-angle display then you'll need to look further up the range to the Nikon D5600 or at the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D. It's also slightly disappointing to see no touchscreen functionality, a feature that would really lend itself to a entry-level DSLR, with touchscreens having become second nature for anyone using a smartphone.
Complementing the rear display is an optical viewfinder. This is perhaps the most obvious feature that that distinguishes DSLRs from mirrorless cameras, with many similarly priced mirrorless cameras either relying solely on the rear screen for shooting, while others will feature electronic viewfinders (EVF) with pretty modest resolutions (at this price point).
EVFs certainly have their advantages, especially as you can see the exposure 'live', meaning you don't get any nasty surprises when you fire the shutter, although many photographers prefer the cleaner, lag-free view offered by an optical viewfinder. The optical viewfinder on the D3500 offers a coverage of 95%, which is typical for an entry-level DSLR, so you may need to be a bit careful when framing some shots to avoid unwanted elements creeping into the edges of the frame.
As on the D3400 there's no Wi-Fi connectivity, but you do get Bluetooth, so it's possible to transfer images via Nikon's SnapBridge feature. Here, an always-on Bluetooth Low Energy connection is made between the camera and your smart device, and you can configure SnapBridge so that images are automatically transferred as you shoot, or later, so you can select particular images to transfer.
Which 18-55mm kit lens should you buy with the D3500?
While you can buy the Nikon D3500 as a standalone camera with no lens, most people looking at this beginner camera will choose to get the 18-55mm lens that's bundled with the camera for a few more dollars or pounds.
Often referred to as a 'kit' lens as these lenses are sold as part of the kit with the camera, the focal range of 18-55mm offers a decent standard zoom range to get your started. This covers everything from wide-angle landscapes to moderate telephoto that's more suited for portraits.
It's worth paying close attention to the lens though when you're looking to buy a D3500 as there's two versions available. There's the AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G and the AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR. The VR designation is what you want to pay attention to as this denotes Nikon's image stabilization system (known as Vibration Reduction).
The difference in cost between the two lenses is negligible, so our advice is to splash out a few dollars or pounds more for the VR version of the lens, as this will allow you to shoot at slower shutter speeds and still achieve sharp shots.
Once you're ready to upgrade your lens, or want something to complement your 18-55mm lens, take a look at our best Nikon lenses buying guide.
Nikon D3500 review: build and handling
- Design quite a change from the D3400
- More substantial grip
- Streamlined controls
While the specification of the Nikon D3500 has changed little from the D3400, the design has had a bit of an overhaul, with the new camera more closely related to the D5600 aesthetically.
The most notable change is that the grip is now more substantial when you pick the D3500 up. It certainly makes the camera fit comfortably in the hand, while the larger grip also makes it better balanced when shooting with longer and/or heavier lenses.
The larger handgrip hasn't made the D3500 any heavier than the D3400, with Nikon actually managing to shave 30g off the weight, with the D3500 tipping the scales at 415g with its battery installed. Nikon has also reduced the depth of the D3500 by 6mm, with the camera measuring 124 x 97 x 69.5mm.
The top of the D3500 has also been refined over the D3400, and again is now more in line with D5600. There's a fairly streamlined array of controls, with the mode dial now featuring a switch to activate Live View (enabling you to shoot using the rear display rather than the viewfinder) around its collar.
Sitting next to this is a fully-exposed command dial, allowing you to toggle settings like shutter speed and aperture depending on the mode you're in, while the exposure compensation button just in front allows you to quickly fine-tune the exposure if needed.
There are more changes on the back of the D3500. Gone are the five buttons that sat to the left of the D3400's display. Instead, the screen now sits almost flush with the edge of the body, with these controls re-distributed elsewhere on the back of the camera.
There's a dedicated button for the flash to the left of the viewfinder, and an info button to the right of the viewfinder, with the remaining controls arranged around the multi-directional control pad.
For the first-time user, the amount of exterior controls is just about right – making the D3500 approachable without appearing too daunting
A little annoying is the absence of the customizable Fn button that was a handy feature on the D3400, particularly in the absence of a direct control for ISO. It means you have to dive into the menu to tweak the sensitivity, although it's nice to see the dedicated drive mode button hasn't disappeared, which is a control you'll no doubt find useful if you tend to call upon burst-shooting and self-timer options with any frequency.
For the first-time user, the amount of exterior controls is just about right – making the D3500 approachable without appearing too daunting. Just bear in mind that as your competence develops you may become a little frustrated that some settings can be a little slow to access.
Nikon has also once again implemented its Guide mode feature on the D3500. Designed to help the novice user get to grips with their camera, it provides an alternative to the main menus, and helps the user quickly capture specific types of images. There's also the familiar 'i' button, which can be called upon to explain camera functions.
Nikon D3500 review: autofocus
- Focusing fine for static subjects
- Can struggle when tracking a subject
- Touchscreen absence highlighted when using Live View
The autofocus system remains unchanged from the one in the D3400 (and the D3300 for that matter).
This sees the same 11-point Multi CAM 1000 AF system that covers a decent amount of the viewfinder in a diamond formation, with the system featuring a couple more AF points than Canon's closest rival, EOS Rebel T7 (known as the EOS 2000D outside the US).
Combined with the AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens, and provided your subject isn't on the periphery of the frame, the AF system will do a solid job of locking onto static subjects. Focusing is quiet and, in good light, nice and brisk, although it inevitably slows down a tad in poor light, and it's in these circumstances that we'd look to use the central AF point more, taking advantage of its enhanced cross-type sensitivity.
You'll find that the camera will lock on quicker than if you opt to use one of the outer 10 AF points, while there's also an AF assist lamp to help out when light levels are really low, although this can be turned off if you want, as it can be distracting in some conditions.
With focusing points a little thin on the ground, it can struggle to track subjects as they move round the frame. It's here where a few more AF points would be welcome, as the 11 points are spread out a little too much, resulting in the camera losing your subject if they're not that prominent in the frame. This is one of the main disadvantages of an entry-level DSLR compared to their mirrorless equivalents, which tend to have wider autofocus coverage.
If you want to use the D3500's rear display you'll need to switch over to Live View focusing, and this is where you'll find mirrorless cameras have an edge. While it's possible to focus right to the edges of the frame, focusing speed does take a bit of a knock. The absence of a touchscreen also becomes an issue here, as it can be quite a slow process using the multi-directional pad to maneuver the focusing area around the frame – a simple tap of the screen would be much quicker.
Nikon D3500 review: performance
- 5fps burst shooting speed
- Solid metering
- Incredible battery life
With a burst shooting speed of just 5fps, the Nikon D3500 isn't really a camera for those who want to shoot a lot of action. It's better than the EOS Rebel T7 / 2000D's sluggish 3fps, but some comparable mirrorless cameras like the Fujifilm X-T20 can shoot quicker if that's a key priority. Sports and other fast-moving action aside, though, it should be satisfactory for most shooting situations, including speeding pets.
The D3500's metering performed well in our tests, delivering consistent exposures for most scenes, and even avoiding overexposing predominantly dark subjects. Thanks to the dedicated exposure compensation button on the top plate, which works in tandem with the rear command dial, if you do need to dial in compensation, it's quick and easy to do so.
As we found with the D3400, the D3500's Auto White Balance is similarly proficient, only slipping up a couple of times during our review. It actually coped very well under artificial lighting, with only a little warmth taken away in some of our shots, while mixed lighting was handled well.
The viewfinder on the D3500 is nice and clear, delivering a pleasingly bright view with good color accuracy. Its LCD display, despite its modest resolution compared to those on pricier rivals, shows details clearly when you're reviewing images and reproduces the scene you're shooting faithfully, meaning there are no nasty surprises when you view images later on a larger display.
You'll need to download Nikon's free SnapBridge app (for both iOS and Android) to wirelessly transfer images. While the system hasn't had the best reception since its introduction, we found it pretty easy and straightforward to set up a connection between our iPhone and the D3500, enabling us to transfer images quite easily.
Battery life is one of the D3500's real trump cards. While the D3400 had an impressive-enough battery life of 1,200 shots, Nikon has managed to extend this to a staggering 1,550 shots – that's much better than Canon DSLRs of a similar price, and significantly better than the typical battery life of around 300 shots for entry-level mirrorless cameras.
Nikon D3500 review: image quality
- Sensor is capable of producing excellent detail
- Noise performance is very good
- Versatile dynamic range
Another strength of the Nikon D3500 is its excellent 24.2MP sensor. With the absence of an optical low-pass filter in front of the sensor, it's possible to capture images really rich in detail – in fact, results can match those from cameras well over double the price.
To make the most of this sensor though, you'll want to think about investing in a lens other than the bundled 18-55mm VR lens. You don't have to spend a fortune though: Nikon's AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G is a brilliant partner for the D3500, and will set you back under $200 / £200. If you're just going to shoot with the 18-55mm VR lens, images can be a little soft at the edges, although this isn't unique to Nikon's bundled lens, with similar optics from rival brands delivering similar quality.
Dynamic range performance is also good – it's possible to underexpose shots pretty substantially (around 3-3.5 EV stops) and still be able to recover detail in the shadows without image noise (fuzziness) degrading the image.
The D3500 offers pretty decent high-ISO performance, with shots captured up to ISO800/1600 showing few signs of image noise, with good color rendition. Shoot above that and you'll need to be mindful that image noise becomes more pronounced, with detail suffering as noise reduction is applied. For the best results, you'll want to capture raw files, which will allow you greater control when processing in software later on.
Nikon's Picture Control options provide a modest range of color and contrast treatments. There are seven modes to choose from: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and Flat (suited to video), while all can be adjusted fairly comprehensively with regards to contrast, saturation, brightness and so on.
Nikon D3500 review: verdict
The Nikon D3500 is by no means a perfect camera, but that's to be expected at this price. It is, though, still a great choice for beginner photographers who prefer the traditional strengths of DSLRs to mirrorless cameras.
Let's get the negatives out of the way first: it's a shame there's no 4K video capture or touchscreen functionality, while it also feels like some cost-cutting has been undertaken, with some external controls that were present on the D3400 dropped.
These issues aside, for the novice looking to take their first steps in photography the D3500 ticks an awful lot of boxes. The 24.2MP sensor produces great results, although you'll want to invest in some additional lenses to really see its potential. Fortunately, Nikon's DX system has a vast range of lenses to suit pretty much every shooting style and budget.
Another of those traditional DSLR strengths, battery life, is also a particularly big bonus here. The excellent 1,550 shots from a charge means you can keep shooting for extended periods without worrying about carrying spares or finding a plug socket. The D3500's intuitive controls and handy Guide mode make it really easy for inexperienced shooters to understand manual settings too and start building their knowledge.
More AF points would have been nice, but the 11-point AF system works for general shooting, and it'll do the job for some moving subjects too.
If you're looking to get more creative with your photography, and looking for your first DSLR, the Nikon D3500 is hard to beat.
Nikon D3500 review: competition
Canon EOS Rebel T7 / 2000D
Nikon D3400
Sony Alpha A6000
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