Fujifilm X30 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Fujifilm X30 vs Nikon D3500

2/3 inch 58.1mm²
12.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Fujifilm X30 Review.
How does it shoot? Fujifilm X30 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the X30.
Compare Fujifilm X30 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Fujifilm X30 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.

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Differences

Fujifilm X30 advantages over Nikon D3500

Less expensive
$499* vs $597
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Higher max flash sync
1/1000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More viewfinder magnification
0.65x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
11.4 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D3500 advantages over Fujifilm X30

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 2/3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 2.20 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.1 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 470 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Fuji X30 (Silver)

Fuji X30 (Silver)
Fuji X30 (Black)

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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

Excellent image quality for its class; Very good optical performance from the bright f/2-2.8 4x lens; Quick autofocus, even in very low light; Fast burst modes; EVF fixes the flaws of optical viewfinder in X20; Tilting high-res LCD screen; Excellent feel in the hands; Very good battery life.
Top shutter speed is only 1/1000s when lens is wide open; No built-in ND filter; 28mm eq. may not be wide enough for some; Shallow buffer depths; Default NR processing a bit heavy-handed.
Read our Fujifilm X30 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 Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X10

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$599
2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X10

Nikon D3500

Fujifilm X10

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$599
2/3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher max flash sync

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm X10

Compared to Fujifilm X20

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X20

$499
2/3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$499
2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X20

Nikon D3500

Fujifilm X20

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm X20

Compared to Nikon P7800

Fujifilm X30

Nikon P7800

$499
2/3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Focus peaking

$500
1/1.7 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Nikon P7800

Nikon D3500

Nikon P7800

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$500
1/1.7 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon P7800

Compared to Canon SL2

Fujifilm X30

Canon SL2

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Fujifilm X30 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

Fujifilm X30

Canon SL3

$499
2/3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$632
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Fujifilm X30 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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