Fujifilm X-T1 vs Nikon D3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-T1 and Nikon D3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-T1 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Nikon D3500 is from Nikon. Both Fujifilm and Nikon are well known brands though.

Fujifilm X-T1 were released 2014 and Nikon D3500 was released 2018. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm X-T1 2014
Nikon D3500 2018

Type of camera

Fujifilm X-T1 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm X-T1 has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm X-T1 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm X-T1 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm X-T1 16 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Nikon D3500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D3500 has a 50 % larger resolution than Fujifilm X-T1. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3500 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm X-T1. Nikon D3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Fujifilm X-T1 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm X-T1 200-6400
Nikon D3500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Fujifilm X-T1 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3500 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm X-T1
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm X-T1 can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm X-T1 8
Nikon D3500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Fujifilm X-T1 and Nikon D3500 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Fujifilm X-T1 weighs 440 gr (equal to 0.97 lb) which is 21% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm X-T1 440 gr
0.97 lb
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb

Fujifilm X-T1 vs Nikon D3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-T1 and Nikon D3500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Name Fujifilm X-T1 Nikon D3500
Manufacturer Fujifilm Nikon
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Release Year 2014 2018
Release Date 2014-01-28 2018-08-30
MSRP 1299 USD 499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXR Processor II EXPEED 4
Image
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 11
Lens Mount Fujifilm X

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD (RGBW) TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.16× (0.77× 35mm equiv.) 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Frames per second 8 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 7 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer No Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Geotagging / Wireless communication (Image transfer) / View & Obtain Images / Remote camer
Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Remote Control Optional through Yes RR-90
Yes (via Smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional via Smartphone
No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm X-T1
Nikon D3500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-W126
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 1550 shots
Width 129 mm 124 mm
Height 90 mm 97 mm
Depth 47 mm 70 mm
Weight 440 gram 365 gram