Nikon D780 vs Nikon D3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D780 were released 2020 and Nikon D3500 was released 2018. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D780 2020
Nikon D3500 2018

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D780 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D3500 has a "Nikon DX"-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 D780 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D3500 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 D780 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024
Nikon D3500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D780 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 D780 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D3500. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D3500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D780 100-51200
Nikon D3500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D780 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 D780
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D780 12
Nikon D3500 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 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 D780 weighs 840 gr (equal to 1.85 lb) which is 130% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb

Nikon D780 vs Nikon D3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500, 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 D780
Nikon D3500
Name Nikon D780 Nikon D3500
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
Release Year 2020 2018
Release Date 2020-01-07 2018-08-30
MSRP 2299 USD 499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4024 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 EXPEED 4
Image
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 11
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (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
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 D780
Nikon D3500
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2359000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
Frames per second 12 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 7 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Remote Control Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone) Yes (via Smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D780
Nikon D3500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 2260 shots 1550 shots
Width 144 mm 124 mm
Height 116 mm 97 mm
Depth 76 mm 70 mm
Weight 840 gram 365 gram