Nikon
D3500
Entry DSLR that introduced millions to interchangeable-lens photography.
$449
Released Aug 2018
OM System
OM-1 II
Flagship MFT with stacked sensor, 120fps, and pro wildlife features.
$2,399
Released Feb 2024
OM-1 II is 5.4 years newer.
Wins
D3500
Wins
OM-1 II
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BOM-1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 0 fps)
- BOM-1 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (8.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BOM-1 II has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 11)
- BOM-1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 5 fps)
- BOM-1 II has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 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)
OM-1 II
135 × 92 × 73 mm
599 g (1.32 lb / 21.13 oz)
D3500 is 11mm narrower and 3mm thinner than OM-1 II but it is also 5mm taller.
D3500 is 234 g lighter than OM-1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D3500 · 73mm OM-1 II
Sensor size, to scale
D3500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
OM-1 II
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
1.6× 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
OM-1 II
Micro Four Thirds
130+
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
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 97, 69.5
Battery life (CIPA)
1550 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
AA filter
Only D3500 supports it
Weight
365 g vs 599 g — lower is better
Resolution
24.2 MP vs 20.4 MP — higher is better
EVF magnification
0.85 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
OM-1 II
AF low-light limit
-8 EV vs -1 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Animals…
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264, H.265, MOV
IBIS effectiveness
8.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.8, 91.6, 72.7
AF points / zones
1053 vs 11 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓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
OM-1 II
Pros
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Stacked MFT
- ✓IP53 weather sealing
- ✓Computational features
Cons
- –MFT sensor size
- –Smaller ecosystem
- –Menu complexity
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D3500 or OM-1 II?
OM-1 II scores 8.5/10 versus 0.5/10 for D3500 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D3500 and OM-1 II?
D3500 is 24.2 MP and OM-1 II is 20.4 MP, so the D3500 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D3500 and OM-1 II have in-body image stabilization?
D3500 does not have IBIS, while oM-1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D3500 or the OM-1 II?
D3500 reaches 5 fps electronic. OM-1 II reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D3500 and OM-1 II?
D3500 weighs 365 g and OM-1 II weighs 599 g, so the D3500 is 234 g lighter.
Do the D3500 and OM-1 II record 4K video?
D3500: Full HD. OM-1 II: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D3500 and OM-1 II weather sealed?
D3500: No. OM-1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,550 shots (CIPA) for the D3500 and 520 shots for the OM-1 II, giving the D3500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D3500 launched at $449 and OM-1 II at $2,399. The D3500 is $1,950 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.