• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic FZ2500 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 (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
    0.74x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.4 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    35 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (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 FZ2500

  • Less expensive
    $597 vs $898*
    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 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1550 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    69 mm vs 134 mm
    Thinner
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic FZ2500 (Black)
All FZ2500 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

  • Rugged camera body with many physical controls; Generally excellent image quality & high ISO performance for its class; Versatile zoom lens; Fast and accurate autofocus; Unlimited 4K video recording; Fast full-res burst mode with generous buffers.

  • Continuous autofocus performance struggles at telephoto end; Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); Lens produces soft corners at most focal lengths.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ2500 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 Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $965
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Nikon D3500
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ2500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $965
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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 Canon SL2

Panasonic FZ2500
Canon SL2
  • $965
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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 FZ2500
Panasonic FZ1000 II
  • $965
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $865
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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

Compared to Canon SL3

Panasonic FZ2500
Canon SL3
  • $965
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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?