The Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D3500 comparison requires analysis of body characteristics and other features. These entry-level cameras have a lot in common, but they also differ in a number of ways. In the meantime, both of these cameras lack some functionalities.
Sensor, imaging, photography, videography, body, performance, connectivity, weight, dimensions, and other comparisons are a part of this article.
Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D3500, which is better?
Nikon D3500 is better than Nikon D3000 in terms of photography and videography. Furthermore, Nikon D3500 has a wider range of functions that makes it more versatile.
You can find every detail in the article, but here is a short Justification for choosing Nikon D3500 over Nikon D3000:
- Higher Effective Pixels(24MP)
- Higher ISO range(25,600)
- Full HD video recording(1920 x 1080)
- Lighter weight(365g)
- Longer battery lasting time(1550 Shots)
- Fast Continuous Shooting( 5.0 FPS)
- Face detection focus
- LCD screen resolution(921k dots)
- Better for Portrait photography
- Better for Street photography
- Better for Sports photography
- Better for Landscape Photography
- Better for Travel Photography
- Better for Videography
- Supports more storage type formats
- Supports Memory card of size up to 64GB
Key specifications
This includes the general information that should be majorly known and most needed in photography or videography.
| Features | Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 |
| Release Date | 2009-12-11 | 2018-08-29 |
| Sensor | APS-C ( CCD ) | APS-C ( CMOS ) |
| MP | 10 | 24 |
| ISO Range | 100-3200 | 100-25600 |
| Video Recording | No Video Mode | Full HD Recording |
| Video Resolution | X | 1920 x 1080 |
| Lowest FPS | 3 | 5 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F Mount | Nikon F Mount |
| Weight | 536g | 365g |
| Dimensions | 126 x 97 x 64 mm | 124 x 97 x 70 mm |
| Viewfinder | Optical ( Pentamirror) | Optical ( Pentamirror) |
| Screen | 3.00” Fixed Screen | 3.00” Fixed Screen |
| Battery Life | 500 | 700 |
The Nikon D3000 has a 10MP APS-C (CCD) sensor and was released on December 11, 2009. It offers a Nikon F lens mount and an ISO range of 100 to 3200. The fixed screen is 3 inches in size and includes an optical viewfinder. The item weighs 536g and measures 126 x 97 x 64mm. There is no video recording on the Nikon D3000.
The Nikon D3500 has a 24MP APS-C (CMOS) sensor and was released on August 29, 2014. It comprises a Nikon F lens mount with an ISO range of 100 to 256000. The fixed screen is 3 inches in size and includes an optical viewfinder. The camera weighs 365g and measures 124 x 97 x 70 mm. Full HD video with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 can be recorded.
Sensor comparison
Both cameras use APS-C sensors, however, the sensor size and a few other details differ.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Sensor Type | CCD | CMOS |
| Image Sensor Format | DX | DX |
| Sensor Size | 0.93 Inch ( 23.6 x 15.8mm) | 0.93 Inch ( 23.5 x 15.6mm) |
| Sensor Photo Detectors | 11.0 Mpx | 25.0 Mpx |
| Image Ratio (H:W) | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Effective Pixels | 10.0 Mpx | 24.0 Mpx |
| Maximum Resolution | 3872 x 2592 px | 6000 x 4000 px |
| Other Resolutions | 2896 x 1944 | 1936 x 1296 | 4496 x 3000 | 2992 x 2000 |
| Processor | Expeed | Expeed 4 |
Nikon D3000 is equipped with a 10.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) CCD sensor and the Expeed processor. The Nikon D3500, on the other hand, sports a 24.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor with the Expeed 4 processor.
Nikon D3500‘s sensor has 14 more megapixels than the Nikon D3000’s, giving it a significant advantage in real life. You can print your photographs at a higher resolution or crop them more flexibly. However, keep in mind that the maximum sensor resolution is not the only factor that determines resolving power. The ultimate resolution of the collected image is additionally affected by factors like optical components, low pass filter, pixel size, and sensor technology.
Result
Because the Nikon D3000 and Nikon D3500 have almost similar sensor sizes, neither has a significant advantage over the other in terms of depth of field control when used with the same focal length and aperture. But, cropping images more sharply will be easier with the higher resolution of the Nikon D3500.
Image Features Comparison
Here is a table that mentions the image features that each camera has.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| ISO | 100 | 1600 | 3200 | 100 | 25,600 | Auto |
| Minimum ISO | 100 | 100 |
| Maximum ISO | 3200 | 25,600 |
| ISO Auto | YES | YES |
| Extended(Boosted) ISO | 3200 | N/A |
| Maximum Image Resolution | 3872 x 2592 px | 6000 x 4000 px |
| White Balance Modes | Auto | Cloudy | Auto | Cloudy | Direct sunlight | Fluorescent | Shade | Flash | Incandescent |Manual |
| White Balance Presets | 12 | N/A |
| Custom White Balance | YES | YES |
| Supported Image File Formats | JPG | RAW | JPG | RAW |
| Image Stabilizer | NO | NO |
| Image Stabilization Type | NO | NO |
| Photo Effects | BnW | Neutral | Vivid | BnW | Neutral | Vivid |
| Supported Aspect Ratio | 1:1 | 3:2 | 4:3 | 5:4 | 16:9 | 13:2 |
| Uncompressed Format | RAW | RAW |
| AEB/HDR Support | NO | NO |
| Image Editing Modes | Trimming | Rotating | Trimming |
The Nikon D3000‘s base sensitivity range is ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with an ISO 100-3200 range available as an option. JPG and RAW formats are supported for saving images.
The Nikon D3500 has ISO settings ranging from 100 to 25,600. JPGand RAW formats are supported for saving images.
Result
Photographically, the Nikon D3500 surpasses the Nikon D3000. This camera is more adaptable than the Nikon D3000 since it has a wider range of ISO settings, additional image file formats, more white balance modes, and a much higher resolution.
Photography Features Comparison
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Camera Shutter Type | Optical | Optical |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30.0s | 30.0s |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1.0s | 1.0s |
| Aperture Priority | YES | YES |
| Shutter Priority | YES | YES |
| Manual Exposure Mode | YES | YES |
| Exposure Compensation Steps | 1/3 | 1/2 | 1/3 |
| Exposure Compensation Plus | 5 | 5 |
| Exposure Compensation Minus | -5 | -5 |
| Continuous Shooting | YES | YES |
| Auto Exposure Lock | YES | YES |
| Self-timer | YES | YES |
| Self-timer Delay | 2s to 20s | 2s to 20s |
| Self-timer Options | 2s | 5s | 10s | 20s | 2s | 5s | 10s | 20s |
| WB Bracketing | NO | NO |
| Histogram | YES | YES |
| Subject / Scene Mode | YES | YES |
| Continuous Drive | 3.0 FPS | 5.0 FPS |
| Speed ( RAW) | 3.0 FPS | 5.0 FPS |
| Speed ( JPEG) | 3.0 FPS | 5.0 FPS |
| Scene Modes | Children | Close-up | Portrait |Night portrait | Sports | Landscape | portrait | Landscape |
| Metering Modes | Multi | Centre-weighted | Spot | Multi | Centre-weighted | Spot | Average | AF area | |
| Manual Settings | YES | YES |
| Shooting Modes | N/A | Scene |
| 3D Support | N/A | YES |
These are complete details for the photography with these cameras, except the flash details that are mentioned in the next segment. Now, let’s see how these cameras perform in each type of photography.
Portrait Photography
Nikon D3500 has better performance for portrait photography due to the better features. Thus, Nikon D3500 is recommended for portrait photography.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 |
| 👍🏻Large sensor size | 👍🏻 Large sensor size |
| 👍🏻 Optical viewfinder | 👍🏻 Optical built-in viewfinder |
| 👍🏻 Good Handling and ergonomics | 👍🏻 Good Handling and ergonomics |
| 👍🏻 Manual Focus | 👍🏻 Manual Focus |
| 👍🏻 Good resolution sensor(24MP) | |
| 👍🏻Provides face detection focusing | |
| 👎🏻 No image stabilization | 👎🏻No image stabilization |
| 👎🏻 No live view | |
| 👎🏻 Poor resolution sensor (10MP) |
Street Photography
Nikon D3500 is recommended for street photography.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 |
| 👍🏻 Large sensor | 👍🏻 Large sensor |
| 👍🏻 Save RAW files | 👍🏻 Save RAW files |
| 👍🏻 Live view | |
| 👍🏻 Phase-detection focusing | |
| 👎🏻 Fixed screen | 👎🏻 Fixed screen |
| 👎🏻No image stabilization | 👎🏻No image stabilization |
| 👎🏻 No live view |
Sports Photography
Nikon D3500 is recommended for Sports Photography.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 |
| 👍🏻 Good ergonomics and handling | 👍🏻 God ergonomics and handling |
| 👍🏻 Fast and maximum shutter speed: 1/4000s | 👍🏻 Fast and maximum shutter speed: 1/4000s |
| 👍🏻 11 Focus point | 👍🏻 11 Focus point |
| 👍🏻 Optical built-in viewfinder | 👍🏻 Optical built-in viewfinder |
| 👍🏻 1 cross-type focus sensor | |
| 👍🏻 1550 Shots battery life | |
| 👍🏻 Good low light ISO | |
| 👍🏻 Average continuous shooting 5.0 FPS | |
| 👎🏻 Slow continuous shooting: 3.0fps | |
| 👎🏻 No environment sealings | 👎🏻 No environment sealings |
| 👎🏻 10MP sensor resolution | |
| 👎🏻 Do not have live preview |
Landscape Photography
Nikon D3500 is recommended for landscape photography.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 |
| 👍🏻 Large APS-C sensor | 👍🏻 Large APS-C sensor |
| 👍🏻 Save RAW files | 👍🏻 Save RAW files |
| 👍🏻 Live view | |
| 👎🏻 No environment sealings | 👎🏻 No environment sealings |
| 👎🏻 No time-lapse recording | 👎🏻 No time-lapse recording |
| 👎🏻 No live view |
Travel Photography
Nikon D3500 is recommended for travel photography.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 |
| 👍🏻 Good ergonomics and handling | 👍🏻 Good ergonomics and handling |
| 👍🏻 Phase detect AF | 👍🏻 Phase detect AF |
| 👍🏻 24MP sensor resolution | |
| 👍🏻 1550 shots battery lasting time | |
| 👍🏻 lighter than a ( 365g ) | |
| 👎🏻 No environment sealings | 👎🏻 No environment sealings |
| 👎🏻 Do not possess selfie-friendly screen | 👎🏻 Do not possess selfie-friendly screen |
| 👎🏻 10MP sensor resolution | |
| 👎🏻 No live view |
Videography features Comparison
The videography features include the details about video recording resolution, frame rate, and other attributes.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Video Recording | NO | YES |
| HD Type | N/A | Full HD |
| Supported Video File Formats | N/A | MOV | MPEG-4 | H.264 |
| Analog Signal Format system | N/A | N/A |
| Camera Playback | N/A | Movie | Single Image | Slide Show |
| Motion JPEG Frame Rate | N/A | 60.0FPS |
| Recording Resolutions | N/A | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) |
| Maximum Resolution | N/A | 1920 x 1080 px |
| Maximum Resolution(Highest Frame Rate) | N/A | 1920 x 1080 px |
| Minimum Frame Rate(Highest Resolution) | N/A | 24.0 FPS |
| Maximum Frame Rate(Regardless of Reso.) | N/A | 60.0 FPS |
| Timelapse | NO | YES |
Vlogging and Youtube videos comparison
It is a straightforwardly inclined decision towards Nikon D3500 as Nikon D3000 do not have video recording mode.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 |
| 👍🏻 Phase detection focusing | |
| 👍🏻 High Video Resolution (1920 x 1080 px) | |
| 👍🏻 HD Recording | |
| 👎🏻 No Video Recording Mode | |
| 👎🏻 Fixed screen | 👎🏻 Fixed screen |
Audio Features Comparison
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Built-in Microphone | NO | YES |
| Speaker Type | N/A | N/A |
| Microphone Type | N/A | Mono |
| Noise Reduction | YES | YES |
| Voice Recording | NO | YES |
| Audio System | N/A | Mono |
| Supported Audio File Formats | N/A | PCM |
Flash comparison(Built-in and External)
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Built-in Flash | YES | YES |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 s | 1/200 s |
| Flash Range | 12m | 7m |
| Flash modes | Auto | Flash Off | Red Eye Reduction | Auto, Auto slow sync, Fill-flash, Off, Auto with red-eye reduction, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction |
| External Flash Connection | Hot shoe | Hot shoe |
| Flash Metering System | i-TTL | i-TTL |
| External Flash | YES | YES |
Optics and Focus Comparison
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Digital Zoom | 1.0 x | NO |
| Optical Zoom | 3.0 x | 3.0 x |
| Magnification ( Crop Factor) | 1.5 x | 1.5x |
| Focal Length multiplier | 1.5 x | 1.5 x |
| Brightness Adjustment | YES | YES |
| Maximum Aperture | 22 | 5.6 |
| Focus Adjustment | Auto / Manual | Auto | Manual |
| Auto Focus Assist Light | Lamp | Lamp |
| Contrast Autofocus | YES | N/A |
| Autofocus (AF) | Continuous AF | Servo AF | Single AF | Continuous AF | Single AF |
| Autofocus Lock | YES | YES |
| Autofocus Point Selection | Auto | Manual | Auto | Manual |
| Autofocus Assist Beam | YES | YES |
| Manual Focus | YES | YES |
| Number of Focus Points | 11 | 11 |
| AF Touch | NO | NO |
| Autofocus in Recording Mode | N/A | YES |
| Autofocus Phase Detection | YES | YES |
| Live View AF | NO | YES |
| Filter Diameter | 2.64 in | 2.17 in |
| Image Stabiliser | YES(Only lens based) | YES(Only lens based) |
Design Comparison
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Body Type | DSLR | DSLR |
| Body Material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Anti-dust System | YES | YES |
| Weather Sealing | NO | NO |
| Colours | Black | Black |
Dimensions Comparison
Nikon D3000 has a weight of 536g (18.10 oz) and its dimensions are 126 x 97 x 64mm.
Nikon D3500 has a weight of 365g (12.87 oz) and its dimensions are 124 x 97 x 70mm.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Weight(including battries) | 18.90 oz (536 g) | 12.87 oz (365 g) |
| Height | 3.7 in | 3.82 in |
| Width | 4.92 in | 4.88 in |
| Depth | 2.56 in | 2.74 in |
Screen and Viewfinder Comparison
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Screen Size | 3.00 in | 3.00 in |
| Scree Technology | LCD | TFT LCD |
| Screen Dots | 230,000 | 921,000 |
| Touch Screen | NO | NO |
| Flip-out Screen | NO | NO |
| Articulated LCD | NO | NO |
| Live VIEW | NO | YES |
| Viewfinder | Optical (Pentamirror) | Optical (Pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.8x | 0.85x (0.57× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95.0% | 95.0 % |
| Diopter Adjustment (D-D) | 1.7-0.5 | 1.7-0.5 |
| Diopter Correction | N/A | YES |
| Eye Relief | 0.71 in | 0.71 in |
| Field of View | N/A | 100.0% |
| Separate Info Display | NO | NO |
Nikon D3000 has an optical(pentamirror) viewfinder and LCD screen of 3.0’’ with 230,000 screen dots. This screen can not be flipped or adjusted, because it is fixed.
Nikon D3500 has an optical(pentamirror) viewfinder and LCD screen of 3.0’’ with 921,000 screen dots. This screen can not be flipped or adjusted, because it is fixed.
Storage Comparison
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Compatible Memory Cards | SD | SDHC | SD | SDHC | SDXC |
| Storage Type | SD | SDHC | SD | SDHC | SDXC |
| Memory Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Camera File system | DCF 2.0 | EXIF 2.21 | DCF 2.0 | EXIF 2.3 |
| Internal Storage | NO | NO |
| Maximum Memory card Size | 32 GB | SD(2GB) | SDHC (32GB) | SDXC (2TB) |
| Dual Memory Card Slots | NO | NO |
Nikon D3000 has only one memory card slot that is compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards. The maximum card size can be up to 32GB. Furthermore, the Nikon D3000 does not possess any internal storage.
Nikon D3500 has only one memory card slot that is compatible with SD, SDXC, and SDHC memory cards. The maximum size of an SD card can be 2GB, SDHC 32 GB, and SDXC can be up to 64GB. Furthermore, Nikon D3000 does not possess any internal storage.
Power Comparison
Nikon D3500 has an advantage over Nikon D3000 in terms of battery/power comparison.
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Power Source Type | Battery | AC | Battery |
| Battery Model | EN-EL9a | EN-EL14a |
| Battery Life (CIPO) | 500 | 1550 |
| Battery Technology | Lithium-ion(Li-ion) | Lithium-ion(Li-ion) |
| Number of Batteries Supported | 1 | 1 |
| AC adapter Included | YES | YES |
| Battery Level Indicator | N/A | YES |
Nikon D3000 supports Li-ion battery and the battery life is up to 500 shots each charge. At the moment, Nikon D3000 can have only 1 battery inside it.
Nikon D3500 supports a Li-ion battery and the battery life is up to 1550 shots each charge. At the moment, Nikon D3500 can have only 1 battery inside it.
Connectivity Comparison
| Nikon D3000 | Nikon D3500 | |
| Built-in WIFI | NO | NO |
| GPS | NO | NO |
| Bluetooth | NO | NO |
| HDMI | NO | YES |
| HDMI ports quantity | 0 | 1 |
| HDMI connector Type | Mini | Mini |
| USB port | NO | YES |
| USB Version | N/A | 2.0 |
| Wireless | Eye-Fi connected | Built-in |
| Remote Control | YES | N/A |
| PictBridge | YES | YES |
| NFC | NO | NO |
| AV Output | YES | N/A |
| Firewire | NO | N/A |
| Microphone Port | NO | NO |
| DC-in Jack | YES | N/A |
| Tripod Mounting Support | YES | YES |
Nikon D3000 has no built-in WIFI, GPS, microphone port, USB port, and Bluetooth, rather it has an HDMI port. Thus, the camera cannot be connected wirelessly to other devices.
Nikon D3500 has no built-in WIFI, GPS, and Bluetooth, rather it has an HDMI port with Mini connector type. Thus, the camera cannot be connected wirelessly to other devices. USB port of version 2.0 is featured in this camera.
Common Strengths of Nikon D3000 and Nikon d3500
These are the features that both of the cameras have:
- Built-in flash
- External Flash shoe
- RAW format support for better quality
- Fixed 3.00” display screen
Common Weaknesses of Nikon D3000 and Nikon d3500
These are the common weaknesses of both cameras:
- No built-in body image stabilization
- No flexible viewing angles screen
- No environmental sealings
- Not good for multi-exposure HDR
- No option for fine-tuning autofocus
- Optical pentamirror viewfinder
Conclusion
In a comparison of Nikon D3000 vs Nikon D3500, Nikon D3500 is better in almost every aspect. It has a lower weight than its competitor and still has more features like video recording, more ISO range, longer battery lasting time, HDMI port, face detection autofocus, and higher LCD resolution.
FAQs
Is a Nikon D3500 still good in 2022?
Yes, there are more advanced AF systems on the market, but keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Overall, we are pleased with the D3500 and would suggest it to anyone seeking for an entry-level DSLR with which to begin their photographic career.
Does Nikon D3500 shoot 4K?
The D3500 does not have a 4K recording mode. Small action cameras with 4K capabilities are available for less money, but if you want 4K and an APS-C picture sensor, expect to pay around $1,000.
How is the Nikon D3000?
The Nikon D3000 is slower and more difficult to use, as well as having lower technical image quality. The D3000 is around one stop noisier than the D40 at any ISO; at ISO 800, the D3000 is as noisy as the D40 is at ISO 1,600.