Canon T5 vs Nikon D3500

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Canon T5 vs Nikon D3500

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T5 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T5.
Compare Canon T5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T5 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 T6
Compare T5 vs T6
Compare Canon T6 vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Canon T5 advantages over Nikon D3500

Less expensive
$399 vs $597
Save money for lenses or accessories
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D3500 advantages over Canon T5

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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 500 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.21 vs 0.31 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.57x vs 0.50x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 6 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read T5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon T5

Kit with 18-55mm lens

All T5 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

Very good image quality with great color accuracy; Lightweight and compact design; Great value for the money; Canon EF-S mount provides access to a vast array of lens options; Feature Guide and Creative Auto helps new users.
Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer; Without AF assist from flash low-light AF can struggle; Dynamic range and high ISO performance not as good as some competing models; No continuous AF in movie mode; Mono sound; No external mic jack.
Read our Canon T5 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 Sony A58

Canon T5

Sony A58

$399
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5 vs Sony A58

Nikon D3500

Sony A58

$623
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony A58

Compared to Canon T5i

Canon T5

Canon T5i

$399
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon T5 vs Canon T5i

Nikon D3500

Canon T5i

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon T5i

Compared to Canon T6

Canon T5

Canon T6

$399
APS-C

Less expensive

$550
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

Compare Canon T5 vs Canon T6

Nikon D3500

Canon T6

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

$550
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon T6

Compared to Canon SL2

Canon T5

Canon SL2

$399
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon T5 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 T5

Canon SL3

$399
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon T5 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

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