Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS R3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS R3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3500 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS R3 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3500 were released 2018 and Canon EOS R3 was released 2021. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3500 2018
Canon EOS R3 2021

Type of camera

Nikon D3500 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS R3 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS R3 has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 **
Nikon D3500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS R3 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Nikon D3500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS R3 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D3500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Canon EOS R3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

ISO range

Canon EOS R3 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Canon EOS R3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D3500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3500 100-25600
Canon EOS R3 100-102400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS R3 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.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R3 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3500
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS R3 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3500 5
Canon EOS R3 30

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS R3 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.

Canon EOS R3 weighs 1015 gr (equal to 2.24 lb) which is 178% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb
Canon EOS R3 1015 gr
2.24 lb

Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS R3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS R3, 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
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Name Nikon D3500 Canon EOS R3
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Release Year 2018 2021
Release Date 2018-08-30 2021-04-14
MSRP 499 USD 5999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS Stacked CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 DIGIC X
Image
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes No
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 1053
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 4150000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.) 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 5760000
Photography features
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Frames per second 5 fps 30 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via Smartphone) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R3
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Built-in
Battery Details EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1550 shots 760 shots
Width 124 mm 150 mm
Height 97 mm 143 mm
Depth 70 mm 87 mm
Weight 365 gram 1015 gram