Nikon D3500 Review
We've been recommending mirrorless cameras to entry-level consumers for some time. As a whole, they do some things budget SLRs don't, typically including focus as quickly when recording video as they do for stills. But mirrorless cameras with good built-in viewfinders can cost a bit more than a basic SLR. Nikon hopes that the low price of its D3500 ($499.95 with 18-55mm AF-P lens) is enough to steer buyers away from mirrorless tech for a more tried, true, and affordable product. It's a good entry-level camera, and will give you a bit of room to grow. It's definitely worth a look, especially if you're on a tight budget.
Small, Light, Capable
The D3500 is surprisingly light and compact for an SLR, at 3.9 by 4.9 by 2.8 inches (HWD) and just 12.9 ounces without a lens. The bundled AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR adds 7.2 ounces, bringing the kit to about 1.3 pounds. It's not quite as svelte as our favorite entry-level mirrorless camera, the Sony a6000, which measures 2.6 by 4.7 b...
The Nikon D3500 doesn't offer a lot of upgrades, but cements its value as a strong entry-level camera thanks to a lower price point.
Compact; Affordable; 24MP resolution; 5fps continuous shooting; Automatic image transfer via Bluetooth; In-camera shooting guide for beginners
Fixed LCD omits touch support; Contrast-based live view focus not ideal for video; No mic input