Canon G5X vs Nikon D3500

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Canon G5X vs Nikon D3500

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G5X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G5X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G5X.
Compare Canon G5X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G5X 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.

Succeeded by the Canon G5X Mark II
Compare G5X vs G5X Mark II
Compare Canon G5X Mark II vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Canon G5X advantages over Nikon D3500

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
44 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
7.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D3500 advantages over Canon G5X

Less expensive
$597 vs $700*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer video battery life
75 vs 40 minutes
Capture more video
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 215 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.1 fps vs 0.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read G5X User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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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

Photographer-friendly controls; Good OLED viewfinder; Good image quality with sharp detail especially with RAW; Vari-angle touchscreen display.
Only 31 autofocus points; Subpar continuous shooting performance; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; No 4K video; Poor battery life.
Read our Canon G5X 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 Canon G16

Canon G5X

Canon G16

$700
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$499
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G16

Nikon D3500

Canon G16

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon G16

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Canon G5X

Canon G7X Mark II

$700
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
1 inch

Longer stills battery life
Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G7X Mark II

Nikon D3500

Canon G7X Mark II

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon G7X Mark II

Compared to Canon SL2

Canon G5X

Canon SL2

$700
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon SL3

Canon G5X

Canon SL3

$700
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$632
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

Compared to Canon G5X Mark II

Canon G5X

Canon G5X Mark II

$700
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G5X Mark II

Nikon D3500

Canon G5X Mark II

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$899
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon G5X Mark II

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