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Nikon D100 vs Nikon D3500

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD100NikonD3500
Overview
ReleasedJune 2002September 2018
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCCDCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.7 × 15.6 mm23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution6.1 MP24.2 MP
Largest image3008 × 20006000 × 4000
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–1600100–25600
Sensor detail23.7 × 15.6 mm RGB CCD, 6.1 million effective and 6.31 million total pixels; 12-bit sampling. Optical low-pass filter, with cleaning mirror lock requiring optional EH-5 mains adapterNikon DX CMOS with 24.16 million effective and 24.78 million total pixels; no optical low-pass filter; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent. Image Dust Off reference data uses Capture NX-D; no automatic vibrating sensor-cleaning system
Image formatsUncompressed or lossless-compressed 12-bit NEF RAW; uncompressed TIFF-RGB; JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic. Three colour modes for sRGB or Adobe RGB, adjustable sharpening, tone and hue; no simultaneous RAW/JPEG mode12-bit compressed NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 6000 × 4000 pixels; Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and Flat Picture Controls
ISO detailStandard ISO 200–1600 in one-third stops; Hi-1 and Hi-2 approximately ISO 3200 and 6400; automatic ISO control availableISO 100–25600 in one-stop steps; Auto ISO
Image processorHigh-speed image processing using a single-chip system LSI; no EXPEED designation in original maker sheet–
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst3 fps5 fps
Lens detailNikon F mount with autofocus coupling and contacts; body autofocus motor. G/D AF Nikkor, other compatible AF lenses and AI-P supported with restrictions; non-CPU lenses only in M with no exposure meter. Current US page also claims AI metering and A mode, conflicting with its own non-CPU entry and original manual; original manual compatibility controls. E-type lenses incompatibleAutofocus supported with AF-P lenses and type E/G AF-S lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses
AutofocusNikon Multi-CAM900 TTL phase detection; five selectable areas, single-area or dynamic AF with closest-subject priority; single/continuous servo and predictive tracking; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-assist illuminatorMulti-CAM 1000; 11 phase-detection points including one cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A, single-point, dynamic, auto-area and 11-point 3D tracking. Contrast-detection live view supports face, wide, normal and subject-tracking areas
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter, 1/4000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb; flash synchronisation up to 1/180 second. Optional mirror anti-shock delay; cleaning mirror lock is distinctElectronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops, Bulb and Time; flash sync 1/200 second
Burst detailApproximately 3 fps under Nikon's manual-focus, manual-exposure, 1/250-second-or-faster test. Manual buffer up to six frames or four RAW images; with noise reduction enabled, three frames or two RAW images; single-frame and self-timer modesApproximately 5 fps with manual focus, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and other settings at defaults
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashBuilt-in manually raised D-TTL Speedlight; manual guide number 18 m at ISO 200 or 12.7 m at ISO 100 in original manual; D-TTL guide number 17 m at ISO 200. Compatible external Speedlights, rear-curtain/slow/red-eye modes; no i-TTL; sync socket requires optional AS-15 shoe adapterBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 7 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 8 at manual full output; accessory shoe
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, 3D matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing. Original maker sheet specifies ten-segment SPD matrix meter; current US page says 1005-pixel CCD, a source conflictP/S/A/M, Auto, flash-off Auto, scene and special-effects modes; beginner Guide mode; 420-pixel RGB metering with matrix, centre-weighted and spot modes; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting on/off
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size1.8″3″
Screen dots118,000921,000
TouchscreenNo–
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed 1.8-inch TFT for menus and image playback; current US specification and original sheet give 118000 dots, original manual approximately 120000. BM-2 protective cover and illuminated top status panelFixed 3-inch TFT; approximately 921000 dots in the US, rounded to 920000 in Japan; 170° viewing angle and approximately 100% coverage; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailFixed pentaprism, approximately 95% coverage and 0.8× magnification with 50mm lens at infinity; selectable grid and depth-of-field preview. Current US and original sheet give 20 mm eyepoint; original manual 24 mm, retained as a source conflictPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.85× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)370 photographs1550 photographs
Body weight700.2 g365 g
Release detailNikon's 2002 annual report retrospectively records launch in June 2002; no actual retail day claimedNikon Japan records first sale on 28 September 2018; global announcement on 30 August 2018
Recording mediaSingle CompactFlash Type I/II slot, Microdrive compatible; original approved capacities and models in manual, no inferred UDMA speed supportOne SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; UHS-I support for SDHC/SDXC
PortsUSB 1.1, switchable NTSC/PAL playback video output and EH-5 DC input. Optional MB-D100 adds ten-pin remote terminal; current US ten-pin listing does not distinguish this accessoryHi-Speed Micro-USB and HDMI Type C; no wired accessory terminal, external microphone socket or infrared remote receiver
Wireless connectionsNo built-in wireless connectivity; optional Nikon Capture software provides USB remote camera controlBluetooth 4.1 with SnapBridge; automatic transfer of two-megapixel JPEGs and smartphone time/location synchronisation. Nikon’s updated announcement supports Bluetooth remote still capture using SnapBridge 2.5, manual original-JPEG transfer, and excludes RAW/movie transfer; no Wi-Fi
Battery life detailEN-EL3 lithium-ion battery; main 370 shots is the manual's single-frame Nikon test, not CIPA, at 20°C with AF-S 24–85mm, Large/Normal JPEG, flash every other shot and shutdown after ten shots. Separate continuous Medium/Basic JPEG test approximately 1600 shots. Optional MB-D100 takes one or two EN-EL3 batteries or six AA cellsEN-EL14a rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 1550 photographs per charge under CIPA testing with Bluetooth disabled
ChargingExternal MH-18 charger; optional MH-19 or EH-5 mains adapterExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5c/EH-5b AC adapter with EP-5A power connector
DimensionsOriginal manual and sheet approximately 144 × 116 × 80.5 mm; current US metric width 114.78 mm conflicts with its 5.7-inch width and original maker dimensionsApproximately 124 × 97 × 69.5 mm
Weight detailCurrent US approximately 700.2 g; original manual approximately 700 g without battery or memory cardApproximately 365 g body only or 415 g including battery and SD card, excluding body cap
Materials–Slim monocoque body structure with a deeper grip and most operational buttons grouped on the right of the rear panel
ColoursBlackBlack
In the box–EN-EL14a battery, MH-24 charger, AN-DC3 strap, BF-1B body cap and DK-25 eyecup
Video
Highest video resolution–1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detailNo movie recording or live-view shooting; NTSC/PAL output is for playbackH.264 MOV at Full HD 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p or 720p 60p/50p; actual NTSC rates 59.94/29.97/23.976. Maximum 29 minutes 59 seconds, reduced to 20 or ten minutes depending on frame-rate/quality settings, or three minutes with Miniature Effect
AudioVoice-memo recording and playback require optional MB-D100 grip; no built-in movie audioBuilt-in mono microphone with adjustable sensitivity and linear PCM recording; no external microphone input. Photography Blog describes stereo sound, differing from Nikon’s technical specification

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