Which to Buy: Nikon D3500 vs D5600 Comparison
February 2019
The D3500 is 4 year(s) old while the D5600 is 6 years old. These cameras may seem similar at first glance but they are quite different in actuality, something a buyer needs to be aware of before making a decision.
The similarities between these two cameras are:
- Compact DSLR design
- 24 megapixel sensors
- Native ISO 100-25600
- Same frames per second (5 fps) when shooting 12-bit RAW
- Bluetooth
- Built-in flash
- 1080p video at 60 fps
- Bulb shutter
- "Time" shutter
- Hotshoe
- HDMI jack
- EXPEED 4 image processor
- 1/200th sec. flash sync speed
- 90% viewfinder coverage
The advantages the D3500 has over the D5600 are:
- The D3500 is significantly less expensive
- Significantly longer rated battery life at 1550 shots vs 970 shots for the D5600
The advantages the D5600 has over the D3500 are:
- Supports both 12-bit and 14-bit RAW images (vs. only support for 12-bit)
- Fully articulated touchscreen monitor vs fixed non-touch
- 1037k-dot TFT LCD monitor vs 921k-dot
- Dedicated Fn (function) button
- 39 AF points (with 9 cross type) vs 11 AF points (with one cross type)
- Built-in WiFi to pair the camera with a smartphone
- Built-in NFC to pair the camera with a smartphone
- Faster startup and less shutter lag
- High dynamic range mode
- External microphone jack
- Automatic bracketing
- Time-lapse movies
Neither camera has:
- IBIS
- GPS built-in
- 4K UHD video
- Slow motion video
- Pentaprism Viewfinder
- Top-side control panel
- Panorama Mode
- On sensor phase detect AF for video
- Dual card slots
- Headphone jack
- Highlight-weighted metering
- 100% viewfinder coverage
- Support for the TIFF format
- Electronic viewfinder
Additional Notes
If the D5600 can be budgeted then it most certainly is the right choice. Really, the only reason to buy the D3500 over the D5600 is price.
See these comparisons:
- Fujifilm X-T30 vs X-T20
- Fujifilm X-T3 vs X-H1
- Fujifilm X-T3 vs X-T2
- Canon RP vs 6D Mark II
- Nikon Z50 vs D3500
- Nikon Z50 vs D5600
- Nikon D850 vs D780
- Nikon Z6 vs D780
- Nikon D750 vs D780
- Nikon Z6 vs Z7
- Nikon Z6 vs D750
- Nikon D3500 vs D5600
- Nikon Z7 vs D850
- Nikon D610 and D750 vs Canon 6D Mark II
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- Nikon D600 vs D610
- "Nikon 1" V1 vs V2 vs V3
- "Nikon 1" J1 vs J2
- Nikon D3200 vs D3300
- Nikon D5200 vs D5300
- Nikon D3200 vs D3300 vs D3400 vs D3500
- Nikon D5200 vs D5300 vs D5500 vs D5600
- Quick Comparisons
- Nikon D100
- Nikon D200
- Nikon D3
- Nikon D300
- Nikon D3000
- Nikon D300s
- Nikon D3100
- Nikon D3200
- Nikon D3300
- Nikon D3400
- Nikon D3500
- Nikon D3s
- Nikon D3x
- Nikon D4
- Nikon D4s
- Nikon D5
- Nikon D500
- Nikon D5000
- Nikon D5100
- Nikon D5200
- Nikon D5300
- Nikon D5500
- Nikon D5600
- Nikon D6
- Nikon D600
- Nikon D610
- Nikon D700
- Nikon D7000
- Nikon D7100
- Nikon D7200
- Nikon D750
- Nikon D7500
- Nikon D780
- Nikon D800
- Nikon D800E
- Nikon D810
- Nikon D850
- Nikon Df
- Nikon Z5
- Nikon Z50
- Nikon Z6-II
- Nikon Z6
- Nikon Z7-II
- Nikon Z7
- Nikon Z9
- Nikon Zfc