• 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Nikon D3500

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D3500 advantages over Canon G1X

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1550 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.70 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D3500
Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses
All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.

  • Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.

  • Read our Canon G1X Review

  • Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.

  • 11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.

  • Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Nikon D3500
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Nikon D3500
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Canon SL2

Canon G1X
Canon SL2
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500
Canon SL2
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G1X Mark III

Nikon D3500
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon G1X Mark III

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon G1X
Canon SL3
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500
Canon SL3
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

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