Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-M1X

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Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-M1X

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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.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1X Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1X.
Compare Olympus E-M1X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1X conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D3500 advantages over Olympus E-M1X

Less expensive
$597 vs $1699*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 870 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 49 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M1X 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
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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer video battery life
90 vs 75 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.83x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.7 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.7 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
49 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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

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
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1X 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

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Buy the Olympus E-M1X

Body Only

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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.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

Terrific overall image quality for a 20MP 4/3" sensor; Very good high ISO performance this sensor size; Very impressive & improved AF performance; Extremely fast, responsive overall performance; New Intelligent Subject Detection AF feature works well; More video features; Outstanding IBIS.
Image quality not improved from (updated) E-M1 II; Faces tough competition with image quality at this price point, especially at higher ISOs; EVF feels somewhat outdated; Expensive for a Micro Four Thirds camera.
Read our Olympus E-M1X Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D3500

Nikon D5600

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D5600

Olympus E-M1X

Nikon D5600

$2241
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Nikon D3500

Panasonic GH5

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic GH5

Olympus E-M1X

Panasonic GH5

$2241
4/3

High resolution composite
Built-in GPS

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to 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

Olympus E-M1X

Canon SL2

$2241
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Canon SL2

Compared to 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

Olympus E-M1X

Canon SL3

$2241
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Canon SL3

Compared to Panasonic GH6

Nikon D3500

Panasonic GH6

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$2200
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic GH6

Olympus E-M1X

Panasonic GH6

$2241
4/3

Built-in GPS
Longer video battery life

$2200
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Newer

Compare Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic GH6

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