Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS R5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS R5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3500 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS R5 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3500 were released 2018 and Canon EOS R5 was released 2020. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3500 2018
Canon EOS R5 2020

Type of camera

Nikon D3500 is a DSLR camera while Canon EOS R5 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 R5 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 R5 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

Nikon D3500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS R5 has 45 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 R5 45 MP
44761088 pixels
8192 x 5464

Canon EOS R5 has a 87 % larger resolution than Nikon D3500. 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

Canon EOS R5 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Canon EOS R5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D3500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3500 100-25600
Canon EOS R5 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS R5 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 R5 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 R5

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 R5 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3500 5
Canon EOS R5 20

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 R5 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 R5 weighs 738 gr (equal to 1.63 lb) which is 102% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb
Canon EOS R5 738 gr
1.63 lb

Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS R5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS R5, 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 R5
Name Nikon D3500 Canon EOS R5
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R5
Release Year 2018 2020
Release Date 2018-08-30 2020-07-09
MSRP 499 USD 3899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R5
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R5
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 CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 8192 x 5464 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 45 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 DIGIC X
Image
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R5
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 12 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift. Works with lens-based IS systems for maximum shake reduction.)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R5
Autofocus Motor No Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
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 R5
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 2100000
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 R5
Frames per second 5 fps 20 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 No
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 R5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
7680 x 4320
8192 x 4320
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R5
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via Smartphone) Yes
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS R5
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
LP-E6NH lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1550 shots 320 shots
Width 124 mm 138 mm
Height 97 mm 98 mm
Depth 70 mm 88 mm
Weight 365 gram 738 gram