Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z30

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3500 and Nikon Z30. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3500 were released 2018 and Nikon Z30 was released 2022. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D3500 2018
Nikon Z30 2022

Type of camera

Nikon D3500 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z30 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D3500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon Z30 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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z30 has 21 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
Nikon Z30 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Nikon D3500 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon Z30. 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 Z30 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Nikon Z30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D3500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D3500 100-25600
Nikon Z30 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon Z30 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 Nikon Z30

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 Nikon Z30 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3500 5
Nikon Z30 11

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D3500 and Nikon Z30 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.

Nikon Z30 weighs 405 gr (equal to 0.89 lb) which is 11% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb
Nikon Z30 405 gr
0.89 lb

Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z30 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D3500 and Nikon Z30, 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
Nikon Z30
Name Nikon D3500 Nikon Z30
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
Release Year 2018 2022
Release Date 2018-08-30 2022-06-29
MSRP 499 USD 710 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 21 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 12 0
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
Nikon Z30
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 11 209
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
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
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
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) No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
Frames per second 5 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via Smartphone) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z30
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1550 shots 330 shots
Width 124 mm 128 mm
Height 97 mm 74 mm
Depth 70 mm 60 mm
Weight 365 gram 405 gram