Panasonic G9 vs Nikon D3500

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Panasonic G9 vs Nikon D3500

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G9.
Compare Panasonic G9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G9 conclusion.

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.

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Differences

Panasonic G9 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
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.83x 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
60.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3500 advantages over Panasonic G9

Less expensive
$597 vs $1498
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)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer video battery life
75 vs 55 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 400 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
69 mm vs 91 mm
Thinner
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G9 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Buy the Panasonic G9

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens

All G9 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

Great build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Excellent performance; Fast shooting speeds; 4K/60p video.
No phase-detection autofocus; 10-minute limit for 4k60p video clips; No V-Log or 10-bit video.
Read our Panasonic G9 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 Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G9

Olympus E-M1 II

$1065
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Top deck display

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Longer video battery life

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D3500

Olympus E-M1 II

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

$1065
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic GH5

Nikon D3500

Panasonic GH5

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic G9

Canon SL2

$1065
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 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 G95

Panasonic G9

Panasonic G95

$1065
4/3

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic G95

Nikon D3500

Panasonic G95

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$848
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic G95

Compared to Canon SL3

Panasonic G9

Canon SL3

$1065
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$632
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 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?