• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic FZ1000 advantages over Nikon D3500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3500 advantages over Panasonic FZ1000

  • Less expensive
    $597 vs $748*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1550 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    69 mm vs 130 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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 Panasonic FZ1000
Panasonic FZ1000
All FZ1000 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

  • Extremely compact compared to interchangeable-lens camera with similar lenses; Comfortable grip and controls; Bright, far-reaching 16x zoom lens; Excellent electronic viewfinder; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD; Excellent performance; Great image quality

  • Body materials feel a bit plasticky; Connector compartment door is fiddly; Limited raw buffer depth; Battery life below average for class; No built-in neutral density filter

  • Read our Panasonic FZ1000 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 RX10

Panasonic FZ1000
Sony RX10
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Top deck display
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony RX10

Nikon D3500
Sony RX10
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Sony RX10

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Nikon D3500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic FZ1000
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Nikon D3500
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic FZ1000
Canon SL2
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 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 Panasonic FZ1000 II

Panasonic FZ1000
Panasonic FZ1000 II
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

Nikon D3500
Panasonic FZ1000 II
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

Compare Other Cameras?