Nikon
D3500
Entry DSLR that introduced millions to interchangeable-lens photography.
$449
Released Aug 2018
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,899
Released Oct 2021
Z9 is 3.2 years newer.
Wins
D3500
Wins
Z9
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD3500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (5 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ9 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 11)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 5 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D3500
124 × 97 × 70 mm
365 g (0.80 lb / 12.88 oz)
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1340 g (2.95 lb / 47.27 oz)
D3500 is 25mm narrower, 53mm shorter, and 21mm thinner than Z9.
D3500 is 975 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D3500 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D3500
124 × 97 mm
Z9
149 × 150 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D3500
124 × 70 mm
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D3500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z9
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
Z9
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
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 97, 69.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Weight
365 g vs 1340 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
1550 shots vs 740 shots — higher is better
AA filter
Only D3500 supports it
EVF magnification
0.85 × vs 0.8 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 149, 149.5, 90.5
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD
AF points / zones
493 vs 11 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓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
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D3500 or Z9?
Z9 scores 9.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for D3500 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the D3500 and Z9?
D3500 is 24.2 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D3500 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
D3500 does not have IBIS, while z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D3500 or the Z9?
D3500 reaches 5 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D3500 and Z9?
D3500 weighs 365 g and Z9 weighs 1340 g, so the D3500 is 975 g lighter.
Do the D3500 and Z9 record 4K video?
D3500: Full HD. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D3500 and Z9 weather sealed?
D3500: No. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,550 shots (CIPA) for the D3500 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the D3500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D3500 launched at $449 and Z9 at $5,899. The D3500 is $5,450 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.