Nikon D5600 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D5600 vs Nikon D3500

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

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5600 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5600 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5600.
Compare Nikon D5600 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5600 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.

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5600 advantages over Nikon D3500

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More AF points
39 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus

Nikon D3500 advantages over Nikon D5600

Less expensive
$597 vs $897
Save money for lenses or accessories
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 970 shots
Capture more photos
Faster RAW shooting
5.1 fps vs 4.1 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
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5600 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5600

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm lens
Kit with 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All D5600 Deals

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

Compact camera body; Very good touchscreen display; Excellent image quality for its class; Good overall performance.
Not many improvements compared to its predecessor, with some downgrades; No 4K video recording.
Read our Nikon D5600 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 Nikon D3400

Nikon D5600

Nikon D3400

$1065
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Nikon D3400

Nikon D3500

Nikon D3400

$623
APS-C

Longer video battery life
Longer stills battery life

$497
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

$1065
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Pentax KP

Nikon D3500

Pentax KP

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon T7i

Nikon D5600

Canon T7i

$1065
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Canon T7i

Nikon D3500

Canon T7i

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon T7i

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D5600

Canon SL2

$1065
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D5600 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 D5600

Canon SL3

$1065
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D5600 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?