Panasonic FZ1000 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Nikon D3500

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic FZ1000 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic FZ1000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the FZ1000.
Compare Panasonic FZ1000 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic FZ1000 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 Panasonic FZ1000 II
Compare FZ1000 vs FZ1000 II
Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Panasonic FZ1000 advantages over Nikon D3500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.5 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
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3500 advantages over Panasonic FZ1000

Less expensive
$597 vs $748*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.2 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 360 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
69 mm vs 130 mm
Thinner
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Adorama
Read FZ1000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

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Review Excerpt

Extremely compact compared to interchangeable-lens camera with similar lenses; Comfortable grip and controls; Bright, far-reaching 16x zoom lens; Excellent electronic viewfinder; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD; Excellent performance; Great image quality
Body materials feel a bit plasticky; Connector compartment door is fiddly; Limited raw buffer depth; Battery life below average for class; No built-in neutral density filter
Read our Panasonic FZ1000 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 Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$698
1 inch

Top deck display
Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony RX10

Nikon D3500

Sony RX10

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$698
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony RX10

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Nikon D3500

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$899
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ2500

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Fast startup

$965
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Nikon D3500

Panasonic FZ2500

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$965
1 inch

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic FZ1000

Canon SL2

$773
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 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 Panasonic FZ1000 II

Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ1000 II

$773
1 inch

NFC

$865
1 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

Nikon D3500

Panasonic FZ1000 II

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$865
1 inch

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

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