• Medium format 2,169.5mm2
  • 101.1 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Phase One XF 100MP advantages over Nikon D3500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.63 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More pixels
    101.1 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    3600 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D3500 advantages over Phase One XF 100MP

  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 10.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    69 mm vs 160 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.33 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 0.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Phase One XF 100MP

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 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 Pentax 645Z

Phase One XF 100MP
Pentax 645Z
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Pentax 645Z

Nikon D3500
Pentax 645Z
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Pentax 645Z

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Phase One XF 100MP
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Nikon D3500
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Phase One XF 100MP
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Nikon D3500
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $623
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Canon SL2

Phase One XF 100MP
Canon SL2
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Phase One XF 100MP 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 Canon SL3

Phase One XF 100MP
Canon SL3
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $632
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Phase One XF 100MP 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?