Nikon D3500 Review: Still The Best DSLR For Beginners?

It’s been a few years since we were first introduced to the Nikon D3500. Yet somehow, this particular DSLR still remains to be one of the best cameras you can invest in if you’re just starting out in photography. That’s why for today, let’s take a closer look at our dedicated Nikon D3500 review to find out what makes this DSLR so impressive.

See Where The Nikon D3500 Ranks In Our Top Recommendations Of The Best Cameras For Beginners In 2021.

Overview Of The Nikon D3500

Overview

If photography is something that interests you and you feel like you’re ready to make the jump from using your smartphone cameras to holding an actual DSLR, I can’t think of a better camera to start out with other than the Nikon D3500. This beginner-friendly DSLR offers a “Guide Mode” that is truly helpful for any rookie photographer out there.

The “Guide Mode” features act as a fully interactive manual that will explain complicated concepts that may sound unfamiliar so you have an idea of how to properly set up your photography and camera settings. So if you were worried or ever felt intimidated about DSLRs being too complicated for you, the Nikon D3500 will surely help you out on that aspect.

However, if you’re not that interested in tinkering with the manual controls, you also have the option to simply set the camera on Auto Mode so you can just pick this up and start snapping away to take as many photos as you want.

What To Expect

When it comes to the Nikon D3500’s external controls, they’re pretty straightforward and easy to follow once you get the hang of it. However, due to its inexpensive price, you’ll have to manage your expectations. You’ll surely be missing out on a few advanced features you might spot on more high-end models from Nikon but this doesn’t mean that the D3500 is a bad product.

For example, unlike every other Nikon DSLR series, the D3500 offers no Custom Settings menu for customizing camera features to your liking. However, the image quality and overall performance you get from the D3500 are still extremely excellent and offer great value for its price.

Not to mention, if you’re getting more serious about your photography and you feel like you’re ready for an upgrade, Nikon offers a wide range of impressive lenses for you to choose from and invest in in the future.

Features & Specifications

• Dimensions: 4.88 x 2.76 x 3.82 inches
• Item Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Brand: Nikon
• Type: DSLR
• Sensor Size: APS-C
• Viewfinder Type: Pentamirror
• Resolution: 24.2MP
• Monitor: 3.0-inch fixed, 921k dots
• Autofocus: 11-point AF, 1 cross-type
• Maximum Continuous Shooting Rate: 5 fps
• Max Video Resolution: 1080p
• Warranty: 1 year limited warranty

Come Check Out Nikon’s Preview Of The D3500 Below.

Looking For Other Cameras? Check Out Our Top Picks For The Best Cameras For Beginners In 2021 Here.

What We Like About The Nikon D3500

Guide Mode

The biggest selling point of the Nikon D3500 and the reason why it’s so well-loved is due to how intuitive it is especially for photographers who are just starting out. This is all thanks to its impressive “Guide Mode” functions.

To further explain, this particular features makes it easy for you to tell the camera what kind of scene you want to record. It essentially teaches you the fundamentals of photography the more you use the D3500, such as the shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. To put it simply, this is a camera that you can really grow with and hone your skills in as a totally new photographer.

Great Value For An Inexpensive Price

Whenever we pick up new hobbies or start to take interest in certain things, we usually want to test the waters first if it’s something we want to do long-term before investing too much money in it. And that’s what makes the Nikon D3500 shine. It’s perfectly made for rookie photographers in mind while offering you some of the best features you can find within the range of entry-level DSLRs.

Sure, you might also want to set your eyes on some mirrorless cameras like the Fujifilm X-T200 and that’s okay, but they do come at a much higher cost. Aside from the ability to shoot 4K videos and a touchscreen LCD, you won’t be missing out on a lot unless you’re planning to do a lot of video recording activities such as vlogging.

While they both have their pros and cons, the Nikon D3500 is still the better choice for beginners who prioritize taking still photos due to the kind of handling and value that a lot of mirrorless cameras (even including the most recent releases) struggle to match.

Excellent Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, the Nikon D3500 is truly a beast in this aspect which I find that even the most recent camera models struggle to keep up with. The D3500’s predecessor, the D3400 already had an impressive enough battery life of offering you 1,200 shots. But Nikon still managed to extend this to a staggering 1,550 shots with the D3500.

So if you’re going to be shooting a lot outdoors for longer periods of time with no power outlet nearby, then you’ll have little to no problems with the Nikon D3500 lasting you for several hours.

Our Least Favorite Thing

Lacks More Modern Features

While it’s nice that you’ll get to save a lot of money if you do choose to buy the Nikon D3500, it’s also best to keep in mind that because this particular camera model has been around for quite some time now, you are going to notice that it lacks a few “advanced” or “modern” features that other cameras offer. Some examples are below:

No 4K Video Capabilities

This might be the biggest con of the D3500. In this day and age, a lot of photographers or content creators are really aiming for that crisp and detailed quality you get from shooting videos in 4K. Not to mention, 4K video resolutions have already become the standard for most cameras that are currently being released.

Unfortunately, the Nikon D3500 only offers a max resolution of 1080-P in Full HD. But if that’s something you don’t mind and you’re happy with the 1080-p resolution, then this slight setback shouldn’t bother you or entirely put you off from the D3500.

LCD Isn’t Adjustable Or Touchscreen

If you’re someone who’s coming from using your smartphone camera to do your photography, then the Nikon D3500’s LCD might be a bit of an adjustment for you. Unlike other cameras with a vari-angle LCD that you can flip in various directions or a touchscreen display for easier navigation, the Nikon D3500 still has your traditional display that is stuck behind the camera’s body.

So if you’re hoping to take selfies with this camera, you might end up having a hard time doing that.

In A Nutshell

Now that we have covered everything about the Nikon D3500, here is a narrowed-down list of the pros and cons of this particular DSLR camera.

Our Final Verdict

Overall, the Nikon D3500 still excels in being one of the best DSLR cameras for beginners, photography students, and casual photographers who just want a low-cost manual camera in their hands to jump-start their path to photography. And despite the Nikon D3500 already being a few years old, you’re still getting a lot of value from this particular camera model at an incredibly inexpensive price point.

If you don’t mind missing out on a few more modern features other cameras offer, then you’ll be absolutely satisfied with using the Nikon D3500 for a pretty long time until you find your footing and feel more comfortable upgrading to a more advanced model.

Do you already own the Nikon D3500? Or are you still deciding whether to purchase it? Let me know in the comments sections below if you have any insights, suggestions, or experiences to share with this camera model! I would love to hear all your thoughts!

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