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Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5100

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD3500NikonD5100
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2018April 2011
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.5 × 15.6 mm23.6 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution24.2 MP16.2 MP
Largest image6000 × 40004928 × 3264
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–25600100–6400
Sensor detailNikon 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 systemNikon DX CMOS with 16.2 million effective and 16.9 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; sensor cleaning, Airflow Control System and Image Dust Off reference data
Image formats12-bit compressed NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 6000 × 4000 pixels; Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and Flat Picture ControlsCompressed 14-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 4928 × 3264 pixels; customisable Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing
ISO detailISO 100–25600 in one-stop steps; Auto ISOISO 100–6400 in one-third stops, expandable up to ISO 25600 equivalent; Auto ISO; Night Vision is a separate monochrome special effect
Image processor–EXPEED 2
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst5 fps4 fps
Lens detailAutofocus supported with AF-P lenses and type E/G AF-S lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lensesAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported
AutofocusMulti-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 areasMulti-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 focal-plane shutter; 1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third stops, Bulb and Time; flash sync 1/200 second1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third or half stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 second
Burst detailApproximately 5 fps with manual focus, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and other settings at defaultsApproximately 4 fps with manual focus, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and remaining settings at defaults; quiet release and interval-timer shooting
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 7 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 8 at manual full output; accessory shoeBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, or 13 at manual full output; accessory shoe
Exposure controlsP/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/offP/S/A/M, Auto, scene and special-effects modes; 420-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; three-frame exposure/white-balance bracketing, two-frame Active D-Lighting bracketing and two-exposure HDR
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps1920 × 1080 at 30 fps
Video detailH.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 EffectH.264 MOV at Full HD 30p/25p/24p, 720p 30p/25p/24p or 640 × 424 at 30p/25p; actual NTSC rates 29.97/23.976; maximum approximately 20 minutes or three minutes with Miniature Effect. Photography Blog's 1920 × 1280, Motion JPEG AVI and five-minute passages differ from Nikon's technical sheet
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 specificationBuilt-in mono microphone with adjustable sensitivity; external stereo microphone through 3.5 mm input; linear PCM audio
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,000921,000
Tilting screen–Yes
Display detailFixed 3-inch TFT; approximately 921000 dots in the US, rounded to 920000 in Japan; 170° viewing angle and approximately 100% coverage; dots count subpixelsSide-hinged 3-inch vari-angle TFT, approximately 921000 dots globally, rounded to 920000 in Japan; 170° viewing angle and 100% coverage; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.85× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 18 mm eyepointPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.78× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 17.9 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)1550 photographs660 photographs
Body weight365 g510 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 28 September 2018; global announcement on 30 August 2018Nikon Japan records first sale on 21 April 2011; global announcement on 5 April 2011
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; UHS-I support for SDHC/SDXCOne SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot; MMC unsupported
PortsHi-Speed Micro-USB and HDMI Type C; no wired accessory terminal, external microphone socket or infrared remote receiverHi-Speed USB, HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output, 3.5 mm external microphone input and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPS; optional ML-L3 infrared remote
Wireless connectionsBluetooth 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-FiNo integrated wireless networking; optional GP-1 GPS unit
Battery life detailEN-EL14a rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 1550 photographs per charge under CIPA testing with Bluetooth disabledEN-EL14 rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 660 CIPA photographs per charge
ChargingExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5c/EH-5b AC adapter with EP-5A power connectorExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5b adapter with EP-5A power connector
DimensionsApproximately 124 × 97 × 69.5 mmApproximately 128 × 97 × 79 mm
Weight detailApproximately 365 g body only or 415 g including battery and SD card, excluding body capApproximately 510 g body only or 560 g including battery and SD card, excluding body cap
MaterialsSlim monocoque body structure with a deeper grip and most operational buttons grouped on the right of the rear panel–
ColoursBlack–
In the boxEN-EL14a battery, MH-24 charger, AN-DC3 strap, BF-1B body cap and DK-25 eyecupEN-EL14 battery, MH-24 charger, AN-DC3 strap, EG-CP14 audio-video cable, UC-E6 USB cable, DK-5 eyepiece cap, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-20 eyecup, BF-1B body cap and ViewNX 2 CD-ROM

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