Nikon
D3500
Entry DSLR that introduced millions to interchangeable-lens photography.
$449
Launch priceReleased Aug 2018
Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 8.2 years newer.
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Wins
D3500
Wins
Z5 IIC
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD3500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (5 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher 4K max frame rate (59.94 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ5 IIC has higher AF points / zones (273 vs 11)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 5 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD3500
124 × 97 × 70 mm
365 g (0.80 lb / 12.88 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
D3500 is 10mm narrower and 3mm thinner than Z5 IIC but it is also 16mm taller.
D3500 is 255 g lighter than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D3500 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D3500
124 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D3500
124 × 70 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D3500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D3500
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
Nikon Z
90+
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
D3500
Burst (mechanical)
5 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
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 350 shots — higher is better
Weight
365 g vs 620 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
4K max frame rate
59.94 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
AF points / zones
273 vs 11 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓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
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D3500 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D3500
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D3500 or Z5 IIC?
Z5 IIC scores 9.0/10 versus 1.0/10 for D3500 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D3500 and Z5 IIC?
D3500 is 24.2 MP and Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP, so the Z5 IIC captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D3500 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
D3500 does not have IBIS, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D3500 or the Z5 IIC?
D3500 reaches 5 fps electronic. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D3500 and Z5 IIC?
D3500 weighs 365 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the D3500 is 255 g lighter.
Do the D3500 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
D3500: Full HD. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the D3500 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
D3500: No. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,550 shots (CIPA) for the D3500 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the D3500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D3500 launched at $449 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The D3500 is $950 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D3500 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.