Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS Rebel SL1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS Rebel SL1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon D3500 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS Rebel SL1 is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D3500 were released 2018 and Canon EOS Rebel SL1 was released 2013. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3500 2018
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 2013

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS Rebel SL1 has a "Canon APS-C"-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 Rebel SL1 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 Rebel SL1 has 18 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 Rebel SL1 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Nikon D3500 has a 34 % larger resolution than Canon EOS Rebel SL1. 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 Canon EOS Rebel SL1. Nikon D3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS Rebel SL1 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3500 100-25600
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS Rebel SL1 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 Nikon D3500
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS Rebel SL1

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 Rebel SL1 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3500 5
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 4

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 Rebel SL1 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 Rebel SL1 weighs 407 gr (equal to 0.9 lb) which is 12% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 407 gr
0.9 lb

Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3500 and Canon EOS Rebel SL1, 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 Rebel SL1
Name Nikon D3500 Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Release Year 2018 2013
Release Date 2018-08-30 2013-03-21
MSRP 499 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 18 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 DIGIC 5
Image
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
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 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

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
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.) 0.87×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Frames per second 5 fps 4 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters 9 meters
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) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
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
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via Smartphone) Optional via RC-6
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3500
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1550 shots 380 shots
Width 124 mm 117 mm
Height 97 mm 91 mm
Depth 70 mm 69 mm
Weight 365 gram 407 gram