• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 26.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3500 advantages over Fujifilm X-T30

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $597 vs $900
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer video battery life
    75 vs 45 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1550 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 68 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X-T30 advantages over Nikon D3500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.06 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.62x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Wider angle kit lens
    23 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-T30

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Same great image quality as the X-T3; Excellent high ISO performance for an APS-C camera; Improved hybrid AF system with full image area coverage; Fast AF speeds; 4K video up to 30p; Compact design; Great value.

  • Slightly higher noise levels than predecessor; No in-body image stabilization; Single card slot; No dedicated headphone jack; No weather sealing.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D3500
Nikon D5600
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Fujifilm X-T30
Nikon D5600
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D3500
Canon SL2
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Fujifilm X-T30
Canon SL2
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon SL3

Nikon D3500
Canon SL3
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Fujifilm X-T30
Canon SL3
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X-T200

Nikon D3500
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Fujifilm X-T30
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer video battery life

Compared to Fujifilm X-T30 II

Nikon D3500
Fujifilm X-T30 II
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer video battery life
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Fujifilm X-T30
Fujifilm X-T30 II
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • More dots on screen
Compare Other Cameras?