• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 182.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3X advantages over Nikon S3500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 4400 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S3500 advantages over Nikon D3X

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    129g vs 1392g
    Lighter weight

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D3X
Sony A900
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Lighter weight
Nikon S3500
Sony A900
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X
Nikon D3S
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • External Mic Jack
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon S3500
Nikon D3S
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3X
Nikon D4
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon S3500
Nikon D4
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony WX80

Nikon D3X
Sony WX80
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon S3500
Sony WX80
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon S5200

Nikon D3X
Nikon S5200
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon S3500
Nikon S5200
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More dots on screen
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