Canon SL1 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon SL1 vs Nikon D3500

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon SL1 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL1.
Compare Canon SL1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL1 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SL2
Compare SL1 vs SL2
Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Canon SL1 advantages over Nikon D3500

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
1140 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D3500 advantages over Canon SL1

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1550 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.1 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 8 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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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Adorama
Read SL1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon SL1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

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

Extremely compact and lightweight for a DSLR; Delivers good image quality that's virtually identical to the Canon T4i/T5i; Accurate and relatively fast autofocus with improved Live View and Movie Hybrid CMOS II AF; Full 1080p HD movie recording; Better-than average kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM).
Still not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Slightly worse than average dynamic range and high ISO performance; Poor battery life.
Read our Canon SL1 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 Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon SL1

Pentax K-5 IIs

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Nikon D3500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$623
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Bluetooth

$497
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Sony A58

Canon SL1

Sony A58

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Touchscreen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Sony A58

Nikon D3500

Sony A58

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon SL1

Pentax K-S1

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SL1 vs Pentax K-S1

Nikon D3500

Pentax K-S1

$623
APS-C

Built-in Bluetooth
Longer stills battery life

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Canon SL2

Canon SL1

Canon SL2

$549
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Bigger JPEG buffer

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon SL1 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 SL3

Canon SL1

Canon SL3

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon SL1 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

Compare Other Cameras?