Canon
EOS 90D
High-res APS-C DSLR with 32.5MP, 10fps, and excellent Dual Pixel AF for wildlife.
$1,199
Released Aug 2019
Nikon
D3500
Entry DSLR that introduced millions to interchangeable-lens photography.
$449
Released Aug 2018
EOS 90D is 1 year newer.
Wins
EOS 90D
Wins
D3500
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AEOS 90D has higher 4K max frame rate (30 fps vs 0 fps)
- AEOS 90D has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- AEOS 90D has higher AF points / zones (45 vs 11)
- BD3500 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1550 shots vs 640 shots)
- AEOS 90D has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 5 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
EOS 90D
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
D3500
124 × 97 × 70 mm
365 g (0.80 lb / 12.88 oz)
EOS 90D is 14mm wider, 1mm taller, and 19mm thicker than D3500.
EOS 90D is 155 g heavier than D3500.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm EOS 90D · 70mm D3500
Sensor size, to scale
EOS 90D
22.3 × 14.8 mm · APS-C
330 mm² area
D3500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
1.1× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
EOS 90D
✓ more lensesCanon EF
300+
native lenses available
D3500
Nikon F
270+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
EOS 90D
AF low-light limit
-3 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
4K max frame rate
30 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
45 vs 11 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
D3500
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 97, 69.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Battery life (CIPA)
1550 shots vs 640 shots — higher is better
Weight
365 g vs 520 g — lower is better
EVF magnification
0.85 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
EOS 90D
Pros
- ✓32.5MP APS-C
- ✓10fps burst
- ✓Optical viewfinder
- ✓Long battery life
Cons
- –DSLR declining
- –No IBIS
- –Crop sensor
D3500
Pros
- ✓Very affordable
- ✓Long battery life
- ✓Lightweight
Cons
- –No 4K
- –Basic AF
- –Discontinued
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, EOS 90D or D3500?
EOS 90D scores 8.0/10 versus 1.0/10 for D3500 — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the EOS 90D and D3500?
EOS 90D is 32.5 MP and D3500 is 24.2 MP, so the EOS 90D captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the EOS 90D and D3500 have in-body image stabilization?
EOS 90D has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while d3500 does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the EOS 90D or the D3500?
EOS 90D reaches 10 fps electronic. D3500 reaches 5 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the EOS 90D and D3500?
EOS 90D weighs 520 g and D3500 weighs 365 g, so the D3500 is 155 g lighter.
Do the EOS 90D and D3500 record 4K video?
EOS 90D: 4K up to 30p. D3500: Full HD.
Are the EOS 90D and D3500 weather sealed?
EOS 90D: Yes. D3500: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the EOS 90D and 1,550 shots for the D3500, giving the D3500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
EOS 90D launched at $1,199 and D3500 at $449. The D3500 is $750 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.