Photography

Nikon makes beginner DSLR cheaper, boosts battery life

Nikon makes beginner DSLR cheaper, boosts battery life
The D3500 entry-level DSLR represents a modest upgrade to Nikon's popular D3400
The D3500 entry-level DSLR represents a modest upgrade to Nikon's popular D3400
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Nikon's D3500 entry-level DSLR replaces 2016's D3400
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Nikon's D3500 entry-level DSLR replaces 2016's D3400
The D3500 entry-level DSLR comes wrapped in a 4.9 x 3.9 x 2.8 in (124 x 97 x 69.5 mm) body
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The D3500 entry-level DSLR comes wrapped in a 4.9 x 3.9 x 2.8 in (124 x 97 x 69.5 mm) body
The D3500 entry-level DSLR offers up to 5 fps continuous shooting and an 11-point AF system
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The D3500 entry-level DSLR offers up to 5 fps continuous shooting and an 11-point AF system
The D3500 DSLR includes a pop-up flash
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The D3500 DSLR includes a pop-up flash
A Guide Mode will help beginners get to drips with the D3500 entry-level DSLR
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A Guide Mode will help beginners get to drips with the D3500 entry-level DSLR
The D3500 rocking an AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300 mm F4.5-6.3G ED lens
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The D3500 rocking an AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300 mm F4.5-6.3G ED lens
There's a 3-inch non-articulating LCD panel around back
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There's a 3-inch non-articulating LCD panel around back
The D3500 can be had with two lenses for $849.95
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The D3500 can be had with two lenses for $849.95
The D3500 features a 24.2 MP CMOS sensor
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The D3500 features a 24.2 MP CMOS sensor
The D3500 entry-level DSLR represents a modest upgrade to Nikon's popular D3400
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The D3500 entry-level DSLR represents a modest upgrade to Nikon's popular D3400
View gallery - 10 images

A quick look at online photo sharing sites will tell you that many people use the ubiquitous smartphone to capture memories these days, but for folks who want to get a bit more serious about their photography a compact camera or DSLR will likely be on their wish lists. Nikon's new D3500 is both compact and a DSLR, making for a relatively inexpensive step up from tiny sensor phone cameras.

The D3500 replaces Nikon's D3400 from 2016, and is wrapped in a slightly smaller 4.9 x 3.9 x 2.8 in (124 x 97 x 69.5 mm) body, is able to take more shots per battery charge and comes in significantly cheaper.

It's built around the same 24.2 MP DX-format (23.5 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor as before, which works with the Expeed image processor to offer ISO100 - 25,600 light sensitivity, up to five frames per second continuous shooting at full resolution and 1080/60p video recording.

The D3500 rocking an AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300 mm F4.5-6.3G ED lens
The D3500 rocking an AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300 mm F4.5-6.3G ED lens

Though the D3400's 1,200 shot battery life was impressive, but Nikon has managed to improve on that, to 1,550 stills per charge. Unfortunately the company hasn't taken the opportunity to add Wi-Fi to its intro shooter, with only Bluetooth representing wireless connectivity for remote viewing and triggering.

Elsewhere, the D3500 has an 11-point autofocus system, a non-articulating 3-inch LCD display out back where users can learn about photography essentials with the Guide Mode, and being a DSLR you get an optical viewfinder too.

A body and AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6G VR lens kit will be available next month for US$499.95, with a two lens kit adding an AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300 mm F4.5-6.3G ED lens to the pot for $849.95.

Product page: D3500

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1 comment
1 comment
Dan Lewis
For a long time, I've admired Nikon. Now, I don't anymore. Nikon's leaders are being stupid and narrow-minded.
This new model should have had a view screen that tilts and pivots. How many times must camera enthusiasts request this from Nikon? Nikon really doesn't seem to give a damn about anybody other than their shareholders. Screw them.