Panasonic GF7 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
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Panasonic GF7 vs Nikon D3500

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF7 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GF7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GF7.
Compare Panasonic GF7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GF7 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 GF7 advantages over Nikon D3500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
33 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
342g vs 615g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3500 advantages over Panasonic GF7

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 230 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
83 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Higher max flash sync
1/200 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GF7 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GF7

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Pink)

All GF7 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

Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.
Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.
Read our Panasonic GF7 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-PL6

Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-PL6

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Olympus E-PL6

Nikon D3500

Olympus E-PL6

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$299
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GM5

Nikon D3500

Panasonic GM5

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GX850

Nikon D3500

Panasonic GX850

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic GX850

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic GF7

Canon SL2

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$709
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon SL3

Panasonic GF7

Canon SL3

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$709
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$632
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?