• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic FZ200 advantages over Nikon D3500

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.2 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D3500 advantages over Panasonic FZ200

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.4 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 540 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    69 mm vs 110 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.57x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic FZ200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3500

Review Excerpt

  • Max aperture f/2.8 across full 24x optical zoom range of Leica DC Vario-Elmarit-branded lens; Relatively sharp and detailed images for a superzoom camera; Full-res burst shooting at 12 frames per second; Advanced photographic capabilities (manual focusing/exposure controls, RAW image capture, etc.); Full HD video recording up to 60p.

  • Control scheme and menu layout frustrating to use, especially the over-reliance on the rear dial; Higher ISOs produce smudged and blurred images as noise reduction efforts increase; Tendency to clip highlights; EVF doesn't switch on automatically when you look through it.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Panasonic FZ200
Panasonic FZ150
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D3500
Panasonic FZ150
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Leica V-LUX 3

Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
Nikon D3500
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Leica V-LUX 4

Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Headphone jack
Nikon D3500
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic FZ200
Canon SL2
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D3500
Canon SL2
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon SL3

Panasonic FZ200
Canon SL3
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D3500
Canon SL3
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $624
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
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