Nikon D5 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D5 vs Nikon D3500

35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 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 D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon D6 vs Nikon D3500

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Nikon D3500

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Longer video battery life
110 vs 75 minutes
Capture more video
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

3780 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
99 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.72x 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
153 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
12.1 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
12.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 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
3276800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Nikon D5

Less expensive
$597 vs $3789*
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 92 mm
Thinner
Newer
6 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.8 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
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 D5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Body Only (CF Version)

Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

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

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 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 EOS-1D C

Nikon D5

Canon EOS-1D C

$5143
35mm

Touchscreen
More cross-type AF points

$6989
35mm

Compare Nikon D5 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 Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$5143
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Nikon D3500

Nikon D4S

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$5143
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D3500

Canon 1DX Mark II

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D5

Canon SL2

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 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 D5

Canon SL3

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 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?