• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Nikon D3500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3020 vs 1550 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x 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
  • More AF points
    51 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.8 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Less expensive
    $597 vs $5999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    69 mm vs 90 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Body Only
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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

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

  • Read our Nikon D4S 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 Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 1DX

Nikon D3500
Canon 1DX
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D4S vs Nikon D4

Nikon D3500
Nikon D4
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D3500
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Internal flash
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D4S
Canon SL2
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4S 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

Nikon D4S
Canon SL3
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D4S 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

Compare Other Cameras?