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Nikon

D3400

Lightweight 24MP entry DX DSLR with no OLPF sensor, SnapBridge Bluetooth, Full HD 60p video, and class-leading 1,200-shot battery life.

$649

Launch price

Released Aug 2016

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vs

Nikon

D3500

Entry DSLR that introduced millions to interchangeable-lens photography.

$449

Launch price

Released Aug 2018

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Full specs →

D3500 is 2 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

D3400

★ Travel★ Wildlife

Wins

3categories

D3500

★ Travel

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

D3400 wins 3 categories·D3500 wins 2 categories
  • AD3400 has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 0 fps)
  • AD3400 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 11)
  • BD3500 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1550 shots vs 640 shots)
  • AD3400 has higher Burst (electronic) (11 fps vs 5 fps)
  • BD3500 has lower Weight (365 g vs 520 g)

Key specs at a glance

D3400D3500
Resolution24.2 MP24.2 MP
SensorAPS-CAPS-C
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst11 fps5 fps
4K60 fps—
IBISNoNo
Weight520 g365 g
Battery640 shots1550 shots

Size and weight, to scale

D3400

138 × 98 × 88 mm

520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

D3500

124 × 97 × 70 mm

365 g (0.80 lb / 12.88 oz)

D3400 is 14mm wider, 1mm taller, and 19mm thicker than D3500.

D3400 is 155 g heavier than D3500.

Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D3400 · 70mm D3500

Sensor size, to scale

D3400

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

D3500

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

D3400

✓ more lenses

Nikon F

270+

native lenses available

90 first-party180 third-party

D3500

✓ more lenses

Nikon F

270+

native lenses available

90 first-party180 third-party

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

Use caseD3400D3500
Portrait
5.5Fair✓ wins
3.5Limited
Sports & Action
4.5Fair✓ wins
1.0Limited
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair✓ wins
0.0Limited
Landscape
1.5Limited
1.5Limited
Travel
6.0Good
6.0Good
Wildlife
6.0Good✓ wins
1.0Limited
Vlogging
5.5Fair✓ wins
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

D3400

  • AF low-light limit

    -8.5 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Human, Animal, Bird…

  • 4K max frame rate

    60 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds H.265, H.264

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138, 98, 88

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-II

  • AF points / zones

    493 vs 11 — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    11 fps vs 5 fps — 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

  • AA filter

    Only D3500 supports it

  • Weight

    365 g vs 520 g — lower is better

  • EVF magnification

    0.85 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ✓Resolution — Both 24.2 MP
  • ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
  • ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
  • ✓Card slots — Both 1
  • ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

D3400

Pros

  • ✓24.2MP no OLPF DX sensor
  • ✓1,200-shot battery (CIPA)
  • ✓Lightweight 445g with battery
  • ✓SnapBridge Bluetooth sharing
  • ✓Excellent beginner value used

Cons

  • –11-point AF only
  • –No 4K video
  • –Fixed rear LCD (no tilt)
  • –Discontinued — no Wi-Fi

D3500

Pros

  • ✓Very affordable
  • ✓Long battery life
  • ✓Lightweight

Cons

  • –No 4K
  • –Basic AF
  • –Discontinued

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the D3400 and D3500 at major authorized retailers.

Nikon D3400

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Nikon D3500

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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

✓ = category winner

D3400
D3500
Resolution
24.2 MP
24.2 MP
Sensor type
APS-C CMOS
DX-format CMOS
Sensor size
23.5 × 15.6 mm
23.5 × 15.6 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
D3400
D3500
Processor
EXPEED 4
EXPEED 4
D3400
D3500
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
25,600
D3400
D3500
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical focal-plane
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/4000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
N/A

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, D3400 or D3500?

D3400 scores 6.0/10 versus 1.0/10 for D3500 — Bird AF subject recognition.

What's the resolution difference between the D3400 and D3500?

Both cameras share the same 24.2 MP resolution.

How does stabilization compare between the D3400 and D3500?

D3400 does not have IBIS, while D3500 does not have IBIS.

Which shoots faster bursts — the D3400 or the D3500?

D3400 reaches 11 fps electronic. D3500 reaches 5 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the D3400 and D3500?

D3400 weighs 520 g and D3500 weighs 365 g, so the D3500 is 155 g lighter.

Do the D3400 and D3500 record 4K video?

D3400: 4K up to 60p. D3500: Full HD.

Are the D3400 and D3500 weather sealed?

D3400: No. D3500: No.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D3400 and 1,550 shots for the D3500, giving the D3500 the edge.

How much does each cost?

D3400 launched at $649 and D3500 at $449. The D3500 is $200 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way D3400 vs D3500 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.