Nikon
D3500
Entry DSLR that introduced millions to interchangeable-lens photography.
$449
Released Aug 2018
Nikon
ZR
Compact Nikon RED full-frame 6K cinema camera with R3D NE RAW, 32-bit float audio, 7.5-stop VR, and Z mount.
$2,199
Released Sep 2025
ZR is 7 years newer.
Wins
D3500
Wins
ZR
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD3500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (5 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZR has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZR has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZR has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 5 fps)
- BZR has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D3500
124 × 97 × 70 mm
365 g (0.80 lb / 12.88 oz)
ZR
134 × 81 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
D3500 is 10mm narrower than ZR but it is also 17mm taller and 21mm thicker.
D3500 is 265 g lighter than ZR.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D3500 · 49mm ZR
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D3500
124 × 97 mm
ZR
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D3500
124 × 70 mm
ZR
134 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D3500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
ZR
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
ZR
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
Weight
365 g vs 630 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
ZR
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ…
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.5, 49
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, MicroSD UHS-I
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓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
ZR
Pros
- ✓6K/60p R3D NE RAW
- ✓32-bit float audio
- ✓7.5-stop stabilization
- ✓Compact 535g cinema body
Cons
- –No built-in EVF
- –Cinema-first ergonomics
- –Single CFexpress plus MicroSD workflow
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D3500 or ZR?
ZR scores 9.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for D3500 — 6K video for oversampled 4K.
What's the resolution difference between the D3500 and ZR?
D3500 is 24.2 MP and ZR is 24.5 MP, so the ZR captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D3500 and ZR have in-body image stabilization?
D3500 does not have IBIS, while zR has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D3500 or the ZR?
D3500 reaches 5 fps electronic. ZR reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D3500 and ZR?
D3500 weighs 365 g and ZR weighs 630 g, so the D3500 is 265 g lighter.
Do the D3500 and ZR record 4K video?
D3500: Full HD. ZR: 6K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D3500 and ZR weather sealed?
D3500: No. ZR: Yes.
How much does each cost?
D3500 launched at $449 and ZR at $2,199. The D3500 is $1,750 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.