• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic FZ2500 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 (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
    0.74x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.4 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    35 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (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 FZ2500

  • Less expensive
    $597 vs $898*
    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 2.3 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 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    69 mm vs 134 mm
    Thinner
  • 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

  • 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

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
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Review Excerpt

  • Rugged camera body with many physical controls; Generally excellent image quality & high ISO performance for its class; Versatile zoom lens; Fast and accurate autofocus; Unlimited 4K video recording; Fast full-res burst mode with generous buffers.

  • Continuous autofocus performance struggles at telephoto end; Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); Lens produces soft corners at most focal lengths.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ2500 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 Panasonic FZ1000

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

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Nikon D3500
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ2500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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 Canon SL2

Panasonic FZ2500
Canon SL2
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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 FZ2500
Panasonic FZ1000 II
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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

Compared to Canon SL3

Panasonic FZ2500
Canon SL3
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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?