Nikon D4S vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
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Nikon D4S vs Nikon D3500

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D4S Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D4S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D4S.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D4S 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 Nikon D5
Compare D4S vs D5
Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Nikon D3500

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

3020 vs 1550 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
51 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
78 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Nikon D4S

Less expensive
$597 vs $5999*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
69 mm vs 90 mm
Thinner
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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

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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D4S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D4S

Body Only

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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, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool
Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)
Read our Nikon D4S 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 Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Nikon D3500

Canon 1DX

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$5299
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S

Nikon D4

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher extended ISO

$4500
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Nikon D3500

Nikon D4

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S

Canon EOS-1D C

$5999
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D3500

Canon EOS-1D C

$623
APS-C

Built-in Bluetooth
Internal flash

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D4S

Canon SL2

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4S 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

Nikon D4S

Canon SL3

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4S 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?