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Nikon

D3500

Entry DSLR that introduced millions to interchangeable-lens photography.

$449

Launch price

Released Aug 2018

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vs

Nikon

D5600

Popular entry APS-C DSLR with 24MP sensor, articulating touchscreen, and SnapBridge connectivity.

$699

Launch price

Released Nov 2016

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D3500 is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

D3500

★ Travel

Wins

5categories

D5600

★ Travel★ Wildlife

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

D3500 wins 2 categories·D5600 wins 3 categories
  • BD5600 has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 0 fps)
  • BD5600 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 11)
  • AD3500 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1550 shots vs 640 shots)
  • BD5600 has higher Burst (electronic) (11 fps vs 5 fps)
  • AD3500 has lower Weight (365 g vs 465 g)

Key specs at a glance

D3500D5600
Resolution24.2 MP24.2 MP
SensorAPS-CAPS-C
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst5 fps11 fps
IBISNoNo
Weight365 g465 g
Battery1550 shots640 shots
4K—60 fps

Size and weight, to scale

D3500

124 × 97 × 70 mm

365 g (0.80 lb / 12.88 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

D5600

124 × 97 × 70 mm

465 g (1.03 lb / 16.40 oz)

D3500 is 1mm thinner than D5600.

D3500 is 100 g lighter than D5600.

Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D3500 · 70mm D5600

Sensor size, to scale

D3500

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

D5600

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

D3500

✓ more lenses

Nikon F

270+

native lenses available

90 first-party180 third-party

D5600

✓ 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 caseD3500D5600
Portrait
3.5Limited
5.5Fair✓ wins
Sports & Action
1.0Limited
4.5Fair✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
0.0Limited
4.5Fair✓ wins
Landscape
1.5Limited
1.5Limited
Travel
6.0Good
6.5Good✓ wins
Wildlife
1.0Limited
6.0Good✓ wins
Vlogging
2.0Limited
6.0Good✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

D3500

  • Codecs

    Adds H.264/AVC

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-I

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    1550 shots vs 640 shots — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 69.5

  • Weight

    365 g vs 465 g — lower is better

  • EVF magnification

    0.85 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose

D5600

  • 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

  • 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

  • Eye AF

    Only D5600 supports it

Both cameras share

  • ✓Resolution — Both 24.2 MP
  • ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
  • ✓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.

D3500

Pros

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

Cons

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

D5600

Pros

  • ✓Articulating touchscreen
  • ✓24MP APS-C
  • ✓Huge F-mount lens library
  • ✓Great value used

Cons

  • –DSLR platform
  • –No 4K 60p
  • –Single card slot

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the D3500 and D5600 at major authorized retailers.

Nikon D3500

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Nikon D5600

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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

D3500
D5600
Resolution
24.2 MP
24.2 MP
Sensor type
DX-format CMOS
APS-C CMOS
Sensor size
23.5 × 15.6 mm
23.5 × 15.6 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
D3500
D5600
Processor
EXPEED 4
EXPEED 7
D3500
D5600
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
25,600
102,400
D3500
D5600
Shutter type
Mechanical focal-plane
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/4000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
N/A
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, D3500 or D5600?

D5600 scores 6.0/10 versus 1.0/10 for D3500 — Bird AF subject recognition.

What's the resolution difference between the D3500 and D5600?

Both cameras share the same 24.2 MP resolution.

How does stabilization compare between the D3500 and D5600?

D3500 does not have IBIS, while D5600 does not have IBIS.

Which shoots faster bursts — the D3500 or the D5600?

D3500 reaches 5 fps electronic. D5600 reaches 11 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the D3500 and D5600?

D3500 weighs 365 g and D5600 weighs 465 g, so the D3500 is 100 g lighter.

Do the D3500 and D5600 record 4K video?

D3500: Full HD. D5600: 4K up to 60p.

Are the D3500 and D5600 weather sealed?

D3500: No. D5600: No.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 1,550 shots (CIPA) for the D3500 and 640 shots for the D5600, giving the D3500 the edge.

How much does each cost?

D3500 launched at $449 and D5600 at $699. The D3500 is $250 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way D3500 vs D5600 vs X comparison.

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