• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GX9 advantages over Nikon D3500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    413k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 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
  • 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
    9.2 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    32 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D3500 advantages over Panasonic GX9

  • Less expensive
    $597 vs $798
    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 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1550 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.

  • Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.

  • Read our Panasonic GX9 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 GX85

Panasonic GX9
Panasonic GX85
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic GX85

Nikon D3500
Panasonic GX85
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Canon SL2

Panasonic GX9
Canon SL2
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic GX9 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 Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Nikon D3500
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-PL9
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-PL9

Nikon D3500
Olympus E-PL9
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-PL9

Compared to Canon SL3

Panasonic GX9
Canon SL3
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX9 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

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