Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic GH5 II

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Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic GH5 II

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5 II.

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Differences

Nikon D3500 advantages over Panasonic GH5 II

Less expensive
$597 vs $1798
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 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer video battery life
75 vs 60 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 410 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Panasonic GH5 II 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
5K vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
1840k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x 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
12.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 II User Reviews

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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

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Buy the Panasonic GH5 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-35mm F2.8 Lens
Kit with 12-60mm Lens

All GH5 II Deals

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

We haven’t reviewed the Panasonic GH5 II.
Read our Panasonic GH5 II Hands-On Preview

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D3500

Nikon D3400

$709
APS-C

Longer video battery life
Longer stills battery life

$497
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D3400

Panasonic GH5 II

Nikon D3400

$1298
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Nikon D3400

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

Panasonic GH5 II

Nikon D5600

$1298
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D3500

Pentax KP

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Pentax KP

Panasonic GH5 II

Pentax KP

$1298
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Pentax KP

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

Panasonic GH5 II

Canon SL2

$1298
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 II 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

Panasonic GH5 II

Canon SL3

$1298
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH5 II vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?