Nikon D3500 vs Nikon Z5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3500 and Nikon Z5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3500

Nikon Z5

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3500 were released 2018 and Nikon Z5 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
Nikon Z5	2020

Type of camera

Nikon D3500 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z5 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 Nikon Z5 has a "Nikon FX"-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
Nikon Z5	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)

Resolution

Nikon D3500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z5 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
Nikon Z5	24 MP 24160256 pixels 6016 x 4016

Nikon Z5 has a 1 % 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

Nikon Z5 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Nikon Z5 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 Z5	100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon Z5 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 Z5

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 Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3500	5
Nikon Z5	4,5

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 Z5 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 Z5 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 85% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3500	365 gr 0.8 lb
Nikon Z5	675 gr 1.49 lb