Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D3500

Leave Feedback

35mm 864.0mm²
50.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5DS R Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5DS R in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5DS R.
Compare Canon 5DS R image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5DS R conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

Buy From

Differences

Canon 5DS R advantages over Nikon D3500

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
41 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.6 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
61 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3500 advantages over Canon 5DS R

Less expensive
$597 vs $1499*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1550 vs 700 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 5DS R User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5DS R

Body Only

All 5DS R Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3500

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.
AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.
Read our Canon 5DS R Review

Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.
11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5DS R

Nikon D810

$1849
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

$2246
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D810

Nikon D3500

Nikon D810

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$2246
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D810

Compared to Canon 5DS

Canon 5DS R

Canon 5DS

$1849
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Canon 5DS

Nikon D3500

Canon 5DS

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$1549
35mm

Larger sensor
Top deck display

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon SL2

Canon 5DS R

Canon SL2

$1849
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon 5DS R

Nikon D850

$1849
35mm

Less expensive

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D850

Nikon D3500

Nikon D850

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D850

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon 5DS R

Canon SL3

$1849
35mm

Larger sensor
Top deck display

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?