Panasonic LX100 II vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
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Panasonic LX100 II vs Nikon D3500

4/3 224.9mm²
17.0 megapixels
24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic LX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic LX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the LX100 II.
Compare Panasonic LX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic LX100 II 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.

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Differences

Panasonic LX100 II advantages over Nikon D3500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Higher-res screen
413k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.3 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.2 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
34 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3500 advantages over Panasonic LX100 II

Less expensive
$597 vs $798*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer video battery life
75 vs 35 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

1550 vs 300 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.2 vs 17.0 megapixels
Higher resolution 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
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 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

Compact coat-pocket friendly body with plenty of dedicated controls; Great electronic viewfinder; Impressive image quality for its class; Generous performance; Decent battery life.
Too big for a pants pocket; No articulation for LCD; Relatively short zoom range compared to some rivals; Can't use full sensor area at any aspect ratio; Not the best choice for video.
Read our Panasonic LX100 II 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 LX100

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic LX100

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Panasonic LX100

Nikon D3500

Panasonic LX100

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic LX100 II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

$875
4/3

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Nikon D3500

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$875
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Compared to Canon G5X

Panasonic LX100 II

Canon G5X

$898
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$700
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic LX100 II vs Canon G5X

Nikon D3500

Canon G5X

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$700
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon G5X

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic LX100 II

Canon SL2

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic LX100 II 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

Panasonic LX100 II

Canon SL3

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic LX100 II 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

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