Introduction

Ease of Use

The Nikon D3500 is the opposite of many recent camera launches - inside it's very similar, offering almost exactly all the same features as its predecessor, the D3400 - but outside, Nikon have made it even smaller and lighter, given it a deeper handgrip, and relocated most of the external controls, so much so that it feels like a different camera (more like the D5000 series).

The Nikon D3500 is a tiny DSLR camera, weighing in at 45g less than the D3400 and and measuring 124 x 97 x 69.5 mm. It now has an even deeper right-hand grip with a pronounced lip at the top which is easier to keep a firm grip of. You'll still have to find a place for your little finger under the camera, though, if you have larger-than-average hands.

Front of the Nikon D3500

Despite the reduction in the size of the body, and despite using exactly the same battery, Nikon have somehow manged to extend the battery life from 1,200 shots on the D3400 to a whopping 1,550 shots on the D3500. We're not sure what kind of wizardry Nikon have employed to achieve this 30% increase in battery life, but it should see you through a full day's shooting without having to worry about carrying a spare.

The camera body is almost entirely constructed of plastic, but while the D3500 certainly doesn't feel as robust as some of the company's higher specified models, it still exudes a degree of quality you might not expect at this price point. This is helped by the surprisingly classy rubber coating on the grip, which also appears on the thumb rest on the back of the camera.

The AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens that ships with the D3500 has a retractable design to make it more portable when it's not in use, something that quite a lot of compact system cameras have in their lens ranges. As a result the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR II is very compact when retracted to the L position, although of course you still have to extend it outwards to start shooting, which does slow you down.

Front of the Nikon D3500

It's also equipped with Nikon’s Stepping Motor technology for quick, smooth and very quiet autofocus, especially during live view shooting and video recording, and offers up to four stops of image stabilization. If the D3500 is your first venture into the world of Nikon DSLRs, we strongly advise opting for the kit with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens, rather than the non-stabilised AF-P 18–55mm lens.

The Nikon D3500 is now very similar to the D5600 camera in terms of its control layout. Gone is the vertical column of controls that was positioned on the left-hand side of the LCD screen, with those 5 buttons relocated over to the right-hand side. As a consequence the D3500 looks very much like the D5600 from the rear, with the main difference being the D5600's tilting LCD screen. We actually prefer the layout of the D3500, which is more logical than the D3400 due to having all the main controls grouped together and operated with your right thumb.

The D3500 also inherits the D5600's Live View lever. This is a fore-finger operated spring-loaded switch on top of the body that is pushed downwards and toggles between turning Live View on and off. Positioned next to the Shooting Mode dial, it allows you to enable Live View whilst holding the camera at arms length with one hand, or to turn it off as you hold the camera up to your eye. We'd actually prefer it to be on the rear of the camera and also to incorporate the Movie record button, in keeping with the D3400/D7200 models, but there's not really any room to do that on the D3500 given the relocation of the other controls.

Rear of the Nikon D3500

From the top the D3500 also closely resembles the D5600, with the same On/Off switch surrounding the shutter release button, one-touch movie and exposure compensation buttons behind that, the shooting mode dial with the afore-mentioned Live View lever, and the unmarked rear control dial - all located in the same places as on the D5600.

The D3500 has lost a couple of controls from its front plate, though, with the flash release button moving to a more logical position to the left of the viewfinder on the rear of the camera, and the Function button from the D3400 unfortunately disappearing entirely, presumably in the interests of simplifying the controls.

Also unfortunate is the removal of the InfraRed receiver port from the D3500's handgrip, which means that you can no longer fire the camera using a wireless IR remote control. You'll instead have to use the camera's Bluetooth connectivity and its new ability to remotely fire the shutter on the D3500 using the Snapbridge app (and therefore have a smartphone), as there's no dedicated port for a wired remote release either, or a cable remote that uses a USB connector.

Top of the Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500's Bluetooth connectivity continues to allow you to send your images to a smartphone using Nikon's Snapbridge app. This app is available for both iOS and Android devices, and it uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to create a connection between the D3500 and a compatible smart device. Once paired, the D3500 will remain connected to the smart device and transfer photos automatically, without the need to re-connect the devices each time.

You can choose to either set all images to automatically download as they are captured, or tag individual images for transfer in-camera. Images that are synced while you shoot are automatically resized for easier sharing, and the D3500 can even sync with your smart device while it’s in sleep mode. Nikon SnapBridge users can also access Nikon Image Space, a free online image sharing and storage service.

The Nikon D3500 follows conventional DSLR design in having a shooting mode dial on the top of the camera, which allows you to select either one of the advanced modes like Manual, Aperture- or Shutter-priority, or a number of beginner-friendly scene modes.

The Nikon D3500 In-hand

The Guide mode first seen in the ancient D3000 has again been carried over. It includes sample images to help you to identify the shot, while options in the Advanced operation menu help you to reduce blur or soften backgrounds. The main purpose of the Guide mode remains the same as on the previous D3000-series cameras, namely to teach beginners about what settings to use in a number of shooting situations, and how these settings influence the final output. Nikon deserves kudos for this, as a mode like this can teach beginners a lot more about the basics of photography than the green Auto mode in which the camera assumes control of almost everything.

The Effects shooting mode is once again included on the D3500 and provides 10 different filters that can be applied to both still images and movies. The Night Vision effect is particularly worth of mention, pushing the camera's sensitivity to a whopping ISO 102,400, although a monochrome rather than colour image is recorded.

For stills, you can enter the Live View mode to preview the effect or simply use the optical viewfinder. For movies, the recording is slowed down (dependent upon the chosen effect) as the camera uses a lot of processing power to apply the effect, leading to footage that can have a rather staccato feel. Note also that the camera sets virtually everything in the Effects mode - exposure, shutter speed, white balance, ISO, file type and quality - so its only creative in terms of the arty effect that's applied. Several of the same effects can be applied to an image or movie that you've already taken, though, so you can have the best of both worlds (albeit without the luxury of a preview).

Bottom of the Nikon D3500

The Exposure Compensation button is thoughtfully positioned next to the shutter release. Hold down this button with your right forefinger and spin the control wheel on the top-rear of the camera with your thumb to adjust its settings - simple and intuitive. In M mode, this easy-to-reach button allows you to toggle between aperture and shutter speed settings, making the lack of a second control wheel on the front of the camera less problematic.

The D3500 has the same through-the-lens optical viewfinder as the D3400, offering 0.85x and 95% frame coverage. The positions of the 11 autofocus sensors are permanently but unobtrusively marked on the focusing screen with 11 tiny dots. In single-point AF mode - in which you can specify which AF point the camera should use - the active autofocus point lights up in red upon a half-press of the shutter release. The other available AF area modes include Auto Area, Dynamic Area and 3D Tracking. Autofocus speeds with the VR kit zoom were snappy, and focusing with the optical viewfinder is significantly faster than in Live View mode.

The LCD screen on the rear is also exactly the same as on the D3400, measuring 3-inches in size and having 921k-dot resolution. As mentioned above, it's fixed in place rather than being articulated or tilted, which is one of the key differences between the D3500 and the step-up D5600 model.

The Nikon D3500's Battery Compartment

The Nikon D3500 features a 1080p Full HD “D-movie” mode, so there's no 4K video recording at this price-point. At the highest resolution setting, the camera can record movies at 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, while at 1280x720 pixels you can choose from 60p/50p. The Nikon D3500 offers full-time autofocus in movie mode, but you may quickly decide to turn this feature off. For one thing, the sound of the focus motor in the lens gets picked up by the microphone. For another, the subject may go out of focus for no apparent reason. If you really want to make sure an erratically moving subject stays sharp throughout the clip, you had better stop down the lens for enough depth of field to work with, and leave all shallow-depth-of-field trickery to static or predictably moving subjects.

There is an element of exposure control when shooting movies. Both the aperture and the shutter speed can be pre-set before you start filming and changed whilst shooting. By default, exposure changes with subject luminance while capturing a clip, although you can at least lock exposure by holding down the AE Lock button. The camera does not provide any special feedback on focus or highlight blow-out (i.e. no “peaking” or “zebras” as in professional video cameras), but there is manual control over audio levels and sound is recorded by way of the built-in stereo microphone. Videos are compressed using the H.264 codec and stored in a MOV container.

That concludes our look at the D3500's features and controls - in summary it's smaller and lighter than its predecessor with a more logical control layout, but it has lost a couple of features, most notably the Infrared port and Function buttons from the front of the camera, while we preferred the D3400's Live View button versus the D3500's Live View lever.

Now let's take a closer look at the Nikon D3500's image quality on the next page...

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 24 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 9Mb.

The Nikon D3500 produced images of excellent quality during the review period. The settings of ISO 100 through ISO 400 are as good as indistinguishable from each other. The slightest hint of noise starts to creep in at ISO 800 but the images are still very clean at that setting. ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 show progressively more noise, but both are eminently usable, even for very large prints. By ISO 6400 and 12800 the JPEGs are already full of chroma noise but the raw files only show some finely grained luminance noise that allows even the fastest ISO 25600 setting to produce printable results.

The out-of-camera JPEGs are a little soft at the default settings, but switch to raw image capture, and you'll see just how much detail the 24 megapixel sensor can record. The night photograph was excellent, while red-eye was not a common occurrence with the useful built-in flash. Active D-Lighting helps to salvage some extra detail in the shadow and highlights areas of high-contrast images, while the range of Picture Controls and Effects provide some in-camera creativity.

Noise

The ISO sensitivity settings on the Nikon D3500 range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The following 100% crops show the noise levels for each setting for both JPG and RAW formats.

JPG	RAW
ISO 100 (100% Crop)	ISO 100 (100% Crop)
ISO 200 (100% Crop)	ISO 200 (100% Crop)
ISO 400 (100% Crop)	ISO 400 (100% Crop)
ISO 800 (100% Crop)	ISO 800 (100% Crop)
ISO 1600 (100% Crop)	ISO 1600 (100% Crop)
ISO 3200 (100% Crop)	ISO 3200 (100% Crop)
ISO 6400 (100% Crop)	ISO 6400 (100% Crop)
ISO 12800 (100% Crop)	ISO 12800 (100% Crop)
ISO 25600 (100% Crop)	ISO 25600 (100% Crop)

File Quality

The file quality settings available on the Nikon D3500 are Basic, Normal and Fine for JPEGs, with Raw capture also at your disposal. The following crops demonstrate the differences in quality and the file sizes.

Fine (12.1Mb) (100% Crop)	Normal (6.38Mb) (100% Crop)
Basic (2.37Mb) (100% Crop)	RAW (20.5Mb) (100% Crop)

Flash

The flash settings on the Nikon D3500 are Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye correction, and Rear curtain with slow sync. These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (27mm)

Flash On - Wide Angle (27mm)

Flash Off - Telephoto (82.5mm)

Flash On - Telephoto (82.5mm)

And here are some portrait shots. As you can see, neither the Flash On or the Red-eye-Reduction settings caused any noticeable red-eye.

Flash On

Red-eye Reduction

Night

The Nikon D3500 lets you dial in shutter speeds of up to 30 seconds and has a Bulb mode as well for exposure times of practically any length, which is very good news if you are seriously interested in night photography.

There is also an optional long-exposure noise reduction function that can be activated to filter out any hot pixels that may appear when extremely slow shutter speeds are used. Do note that this works by way of dark frame subtraction, which effectively doubles the exposure time.

The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 30 seconds, aperture of f/11 at ISO 100.

Night

Active D-Lighting

Active D-Lighting increases the detail in the shadow and highlight areas of very high-contrast images.

Off	On

Picture Controls

Nikon’s Picture Controls are preset combinations of sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation and hue. The available choices are Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and Flat. The following examples demonstrate the differences between these options.

Standard	Neutral
Vivid	Monochrome
Portrait	Landscape
Flat

Effects

The Nikon D3500 has an Effects shooting mode that provides 10 different creative filters which can be applied to both still images and movies.

Night Vision	Super Vivid
Pop	Photo Illustration
Toy Camera	Miniature Effect
Selective Color	Silhouette
High Key	Low Key

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Nikon D3500 camera, which were all taken using the 24 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample RAW Images

The Nikon D3500 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Nikon RAW (NEF) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movies & Video

Product Images

Conclusion

The new Nikon D3500 retains the same core feature-set as its predecessor, the D3400, but presents it in a smaller, lighter and more logical design that's very reminiscent of the mid-range D5600 camera. A couple of things have been sacrificed along the way, but overall the Nikon D3500 is a better entry-level DSLR camera than the previous model.

The main improvements are all very welcome. The extended battery life of 1,550 frames is pretty incredible, while the smaller and lighter design with the deeper hand-grip and revised control layout is much better than the D3400. The ability to use Bluetooth to shoot remotely is a good addition, although as it turns out a necessary one too, with the D3500 losing its Infrared port for wireless remote control. The D3400's customisable Function button has also sadly disappeared too, while we preferred the D3400's Live View button rather than the D3500's Live View lever.

The Nikon D3500 is cheaper on launch than the D3400 was, at least in the US - $499 for the body and VR kit lens is a lot more competitive than the $640 launch price of the D3400 - although prices in the UK and Europe are broadly similar.

In summary, the new Nikon D3500 offers just enough improvements to continue to make it our recommended entry-level DSLR camera series.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	4
Ease-of-use	4.5
Image quality	4.5
Value for money	4.5

Main Rivals

Listed below are some of the rivals of the Nikon D3500.

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Nikon D3500 from around the web.

Specifications

News

The Nikon D3500 is a new entry-level DSLR camera that's smaller, lighter and cheaper than its predecessor, the D3400. It also offers increased battery performance of 1,550 shots from a single charge.

In the US a Nikon D3500 single-lens kit with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR will be available for $499.95, or in a two-lens kit including the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED for $849.95. In the UK/Europe the D3500 and AF-P DX 18–55 VR lens will cost £499/ €579, and the D3500 and the AF-P 18–55 non VR lens £479/ €549.

Nikon UK Press Release

FROM BIG DAYS TO EVERY DAY. OUTSHINE THE ORDINARY WITH THE NEW NIKON D3500 D-SLR

London, United Kingdom, 30th August 2018: Nikon introduces the new D3500, a compact 24.2 MP entry-level DSLR that blends premium build quality with outstanding performance. From big days to every day, users can shoot photos and movies that outshine what’s possible with a phone. With ease.

The head-turning D3500 captures richly detailed images in any light. The large sensor and wide light-sensitivity range deliver the kind of detailed photos and Full HD movies that aren’t possible to achieve with a phone. The rendering power of NIKKOR lenses ensures crystal-clear results. And the camera’s tough lens mount makes it easy to explore the beauty of different NIKKOR lenses: even heavier telephoto lenses can be used without worrying about wear and tear.

For those new to D-SLR photography, this camera makes it easy to capture every big moment as well as everyday adventures. Its slim body, featuring the latest monocoque structure, is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, while the refined ergonomic design includes a new deep grip, making it easier to hold. A more simple and spacious button layout ensures the camera immediately feels comfortable in the hand, and the user’s thumb has plenty of space to rest on the back of the camera. Operating the camera feels steady and effortless. Nikon’s popular Guide Mode takes shooting to the next level, showing the user exactly how to adjust settings to capture the look and feel they want in photos and movies. And the long battery life means users can keep on shooting from dusk ‘til dawn - and beyond.

Tim Carter, Head of Product Management, Nikon Northern Europe, says: “The D3500 is the perfect entry into the world of photography. Its comfortable design and helpful shooting modes make it easy to capture photos and movies to be proud of. Plus you can connect a world of NIKKOR lenses to the tough, reliable lens mount. You’ll never need to stop exploring new ways to shoot great images and SnapBridge makes it easy to share your favourite photos from anywhere.”

SUMMARY OF KEY FEATURES

- D-SLR image quality. The large 24.2 MP DX-format sensor and wide ISO range of 100–25600 ensure richly detailed photos and Full HD movies. Even when you’re shooting in low light.

- Always your best shot. Razor-sharp autofocus keeps subjects perfectly sharp. Swift continuous shooting speeds of 5 fps let users capture five beautiful images for every second.

- Crafted to enjoy. From telephoto zoom lenses to wide-angle primes, the strong metal lens mount means users can change lenses again and again.

- Built to hold. The deep grip means this camera immediately feels comfortable in the hand. Spacious button placement makes operation easy. The long battery life will keep users shooting.

- Too good not to share. The SnapBridge app for iOS and Android enables an always-on connection between this camera and a smartphone/tablet. Making it easy to share D-SLR-quality photos in the moment.

- The adventure starts here. This Nikon D-SLR is part of an expandable photographic system that can grow with each user. Widening their creativity with renowned NIKKOR lenses, Nikon Speedlights, and more.

Nikon Japan Press Release

Nikon releases the D3500 digital SLR camera

An entry-level model that makes it easy to share impressive photos using a smart device

Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of the Nikon D3500, an entry-level Nikon DX-format digital SLR camera.

The D3500 has an effective pixel count of 24.2 megapixels, and supports a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-25600. When used with a NIKKOR lens, it makes the capture of a wide variety of scenes simpler and more enjoyable, with the superior image quality and beautiful blur characteristics (bokeh) expected of a digital SLR. The D3500 is constructed with the same slim and lightweight monocoque structure as the Nikon D5600, and a deep grip that offers an easy hold on the camera, which allows for more comfortable shooting. A new layout for operational controls, including an even larger playback button, and adjustment and concentration of the most important buttons at right on the back of the camera, enables operation that is smooth and intuitive, even for beginners.

In addition, a constant connection*1 between the D3500 and a smart device*2 is possible using the SnapBridge app and Bluetooth® technology. JPEG thumbnails (2 megapixels) of images captured with the camera can be automatically transferred*3 to the smart device, and the latest version of the app, SnapBridge Ver. 2.5, can be used to control remote capture of still images from the smart device, over a Bluetooth® connection, enabling use in a wider variety of situations.

The D3500 is an easy-to-use, entry-level model that not only makes it possible for users to readily capture the impressive photos expected of a digital SLR camera, but also makes it easy to share your favorite photos via SNS using a smart device.

*1As from SnapBridge version 2.5, the automatic connection between camera and smart device is "OFF" in default setting. Turn it to "ON" during pairing in order to activate automatic transfer.

*2iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, and Android™ devices to which the SnapBridge app has been installed can be used. The SnapBridge app can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store® and Google Play™. See Nikon's website for further information.

*3Automatic transfer of original JPEG images and movies is not supported. Original JPEG images can be transferred manually over a Bluetooth® connection, but the transfer of RAW images and movies is not supported.

Primary Features

1.Superior basic performance that supports the beautiful capture of a wide variety of scenes

Offering an effective pixel count of 24.2 megapixels and equipped with a Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter, the D3500 is able to capture images that make the most of the superior resolving power of NIKKOR lenses. The camera supports the broad ISO 100-25600 range of standard sensitivities that enables the beautiful capture of dimly lit indoor scenes and night landscapes at high sensitivities with hand-held shooting.

2.A functional design that even beginners will find easy to operate

The D3500 is constructed with the same slim monocoque structure as the Nikon D5600, for which a completely new design was adopted. The hold on the camera while shooting and applying settings has been improved with a deep grip and wider spacing for the thumb on the back of the camera. A new layout for operational controls, including an even larger playback button and concentration of the most frequently used buttons at right on the back of the camera, makes operation even smoother and more intuitive.

3.Automatic transfer of photos captured with the camera to a smart device for immediate sharing

A constant connection between the camera and a smart device is possible using the SnapBridge app and Bluetooth® technology. Not only can photos captured with the camera be automatically transferred to a smart device*1, but they can also be automatically uploaded to Nikon's photo sharing service, NIKON IMAGE SPACE*2. The SnapBridge app supports a number of other features*3 as well, including the ability to attach copyright information and comments to images, and to automatically synchronize camera date/time and location information with that of the smart device.

*1iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, and Android™ devices to which the SnapBridge app has been installed can be used. The SnapBridge app can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store® and Google Play™. See Nikon's website for further information.

*2There is no limit to the number or size of JPEG thumbnail images (2 megapixels) that can be automatically uploaded from the SnapBridge app. Storage for original JPEG images is limited to 20 GB. A Nikon ID must be registered to take advantage of this feature.

*3The D3500 is not equipped with Wi-Fi capability. Therefore, some SnapBridge features available for use with other Nikon cameras may not be supported, or may function differently when used with the D3500. Remote photography over a Bluetooth® connection is possible using the SnapBridge Ver. 2.5 app.

4.Increased battery performance (life) for worry-free use

Approximately 1,550 shots* are possible with a single charge. This allows users to concentrate on capturing as many photos as they wish, without worrying that their battery will be exhausted, at special events or while traveling.

*Measured in accordance with CIPA standards; still images captured in single-frame release mode with Bluetooth® disabled.

·The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Nikon Corporation is under license.

·Wi-Fi® and the Wi-Fi® logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

·Apple®, App Store®, the Apple logos, iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod touch® are trademarks of Apple Inc. registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.

·Android™ and Google Play™ are trademarks of Google Inc.

·Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Trade names (companies, products, services, etc.) are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Specifications, design, product name and supplied accessories may differ by country or area. Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.

Nikon USA Press Release

The New Nikon D3500: Capture and Share Your Treasured Moments With the Lightest, Friendliest Nikon DSLR yet

The Redesigned Nikon D3500 is the Most Portable Entry-Level Nikon DSLR Ever, and the Easiest Way to Capture the Moments that Matter Most

MELVILLE, NY – Today, Nikon unveiled the new Nikon D3500, a compact, entry-level DSLR that makes capturing the world easier and more convenient than ever. The 24.2-megapixel D3500 features an updated CMOS image sensor and Nikon EXPEED image processor to capture sharp details and vivid colors, and is packed with easy-to-use features that help first-time DSLR users start capturing better photos and video right away.

With its ergonomic and lightweight body, approximately 1,550 shots on a single charge and convenient features like Nikon SnapBridge1 and helpful Guide Mode, the Nikon D3500 is a great option for parents, travelers and photo enthusiasts who are eager to take their photography to the next level.

“The Nikon D3500 is ideal for consumers who are looking to easily capture the kinds of images that their smartphone simply cannot match, and share them seamlessly with family and friends,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The D3500 reaffirms our commitment to releasing convenient DX-format DSLR options for those just discovering photography.”

Capture Stunning Images and Video with Ease

The Nikon D3500 is bursting with high-performance features that help first-time DSLR users capture amazing images in a variety of situations. The camera’s broad ISO range of 100-25,600 makes it easy to capture sharp, clear images in low-light shooting situations with very little noise, while the 11-point autofocus (AF) System locks onto subjects, even fast-moving pets or children to help ensure that fleeting moments aren’t missed. The D3500 also features built-in Effect Modes to help entry-level users discover and express their personal creative vision.

Additionally, the Nikon D3500 is capable of continuous shooting up to five frames-per-second (fps), helping to capture candid moments with ease. The Nikon D3500 is also equipped with Full HD 1080/60p video capability. Users can switch from shooting photos to video at the press of a button, allowing them to capture spur-of-the-moment memories that will last a lifetime with stunning sharpness and clarity.

To further expand creativity, the in-camera Guide Mode gives new DSLR users the tools they need to learn about their new camera’s capabilities and become better, more knowledgeable photographers.

All these amazing features have been incorporated into a new ergonomic and lightweight design featuring a more comfortable, deeper grip and the slim monocoque body design similar to the Nikon D5600. The new design also features a more beginner-friendly and intuitive control layout, with a larger playback button and the most frequently-used controls all relocated to the right side of the camera’s LCD where they are easiest to access.

The redesigned Nikon D3500 is ideal for a fast-paced on-the-go lifestyle, making it the perfect companion for any family event or travel adventure.

Always Connected for Easy Sharing

Sharing photos with the ones you love is easier than ever with the Nikon D3500 and Nikon SnapBridge app. The D3500 uses Bluetooth2 to create an always-on3 connection between the camera and a compatible smart device, making it possible to seamlessly share 2MP images to social media as they are captured. Additionally, D3500 users will now be able to trigger their camera remotely via Bluetooth using SnapBridge. Nikon SnapBridge users can also access Nikon Image Space4, a free online image sharing and storage service that preserves memories in the cloud.

Pricing and Availability

The Nikon D3500 will be available in a two-lens kit option, including the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED, for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $849.95* in September 2018. A Nikon D3500 single-lens kit with the AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR will also be available for (SRP) of $499.95* in September 2018. For more information on the new Nikon D3500, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Image Gallery

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Hands On

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon D3500 DSLR camera looks like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera.

A gallery of hands-on photos of the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera.

Image Gallery

Click on a thumbnail to see the full version.

Preview Images

​Ahead of our full review, here is a gallery of full-size sample JPEG and Raw images and videos taken with the new Nikon D3500 DSLR camera. The Nikon D3500 is a new 24-megapixel DX-format entry-level DSLR camera that's smaller, lighter and cheaper than its predecessor, the D3400.

A gallery of full-size sample images taken with the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera and the AF-P DX 18–55 VR kit lens.

Nikon D3500 Sample Images

Sample RAW Images

The Nikon D3500 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Nikon RAW (NEF) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movies & Video

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