Fujifilm X-A2 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
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Fujifilm X-A2 vs Nikon D3500

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APS-C 368.2mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Fujifilm X-A2 Review.
How does it shoot? Fujifilm X-A2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the X-A2.
Compare Fujifilm X-A2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Fujifilm X-A2 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 Fujifilm X-A3
Compare X-A2 vs X-A3
Compare Fujifilm X-A3 vs Nikon D3500

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Differences

Fujifilm X-A2 advantages over Nikon D3500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
40 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Nikon D3500 advantages over Fujifilm X-A2

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 410 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.21 vs 0.36 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 16 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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
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
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 X-A2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Buy the Fujifilm X-A2

Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Brown)

Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Brown)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Silver)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

All X-A2 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; Great high ISO performance for its class; Very good optical performance from the kit lens; Decent battery life; Very good value for the money.
No built-in EVF; Slower than average full autofocus shutter lag in testing; Sluggish continuous AF for stills & video; Mediocre burst speeds; Limited dynamic range with JPEGs; No remote control with Wi-Fi.
Read our Fujifilm X-A2 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 NEX-6

Fujifilm X-A2

Sony NEX-6

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A2 vs Sony NEX-6

Nikon D3500

Sony NEX-6

$709
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony NEX-6

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Fujifilm X-A2

Fujifilm X-E2

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$899
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A2 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Nikon D3500

Fujifilm X-E2

$709
APS-C

Lens selection
Built-in Bluetooth

$899
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm X-E2

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Fujifilm X-A2

Fujifilm X-A3

$600
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A2 vs Fujifilm X-A3

Nikon D3500

Fujifilm X-A3

$709
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm X-A3

Compared to Canon SL2

Fujifilm X-A2

Canon SL2

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Fujifilm X-A2 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 Canon SL3

Fujifilm X-A2

Canon SL3

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Fujifilm X-A2 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

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