Nikon D3500
The Nikon D3500 is an entry-level DX-format DSLR built for photographers moving up from a smartphone or point-and-shoot, pairing a 24.2-megapixel sensor with genuinely excellent battery life and Nikon’s beginner-friendly Guide Mode. We have a used Nikon D3500 in excellent condition, bundled with its 18-55mm VR II kit lens, available now — this guide covers everything you need to know before buying.
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Condition
This Nikon D3500 shows no signs of wear on the camera body. There is a slight scratch on the LCD screen, but it does not affect visibility or function. Autofocus and shutter have both been confirmed functioning correctly, with a current shutter count of 9,703 actuations — light use for a camera rated well beyond 100,000 shutter cycles.
Overview
Announced in 2018 as the successor to the D3400, the Nikon D3500 is Nikon’s lightest and simplest DSLR, designed specifically for photographers new to interchangeable-lens cameras. It replaces some of the D3400’s physical controls with a more streamlined layout and adds a deeper, more secure grip. Despite its beginner focus, the D3500 shares its core imaging pipeline — sensor, processor, and image quality — with cameras a full tier above it, making it a genuinely capable camera rather than a toy.
Sensor & Image Quality
The Nikon D3500 uses a 24.2-megapixel DX-format (APS-C) CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter, paired with Nikon’s EXPEED 4 image processor. Removing the low-pass filter allows the sensor to resolve slightly more fine detail, at a small theoretical risk of moiré in repeating patterns — a trade-off most photographers never notice in practice. ISO range runs from 100 to 25600, giving reasonable flexibility in low light for an entry-level body. Full specifications are available on Nikon’s official product page.
Autofocus System
The D3500 uses Nikon’s Multi-CAM 1000 11-point autofocus module through the optical viewfinder, with 1 cross-type sensor at the center for added precision, and switches to contrast-detect autofocus in Live View mode. This is a modest AF system by modern standards, well suited to portraits, travel, and everyday shooting, but not intended for fast-moving action or sports. The camera is compatible with AF-P and modern AF-S/G type lenses; older screw-drive AF lenses from the 1980s and earlier will mount but will not autofocus, since the D3500 has no in-body focus motor.
Video Capabilities
The D3500 records Full HD 1080p video at up to 60/50/30/25/24 fps, with 720p available at 60/50 fps, saved in .MOV format with H.264 compression. Audio is captured through a built-in mono microphone; there is no external microphone input. Maximum clip length is 20 minutes at the highest quality setting, or 30 minutes at normal quality. There is no 4K video option on this model — a reasonable expectation for a camera in this class and generation.
Screen & Viewfinder
The D3500 uses a fixed (non-articulating, non-touchscreen) 3.0-inch LCD monitor for image review and Live View shooting. The optical viewfinder is a pentamirror design with approximately 95% frame coverage and 0.85x magnification — typical for an entry-level DSLR, meaning the very edges of the frame are not visible through the viewfinder at the time of shooting.
Build Quality and Handling
The D3500 measures approximately 124 x 97 x 70mm and weighs approximately 365g body-only, or around 415g with battery and memory card installed — notably light for a DSLR. Nikon does not list any weather sealing for this model, so it should be handled with the same care as any unsealed consumer electronics in wet or dusty conditions. Battery life is a genuine standout: Nikon’s CIPA-rated figure of approximately 1,550 shots per charge on the included EN-EL14a battery is among the best of any DSLR ever made, DSLR or mirrorless. The D3500 connects to smartphones via Bluetooth through Nikon’s SnapBridge app for automatic image transfer; it does not have built-in Wi-Fi.
Included
This used Nikon D3500 includes the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens, front and rear lens caps, the camera body cap, an EN-EL14a battery, the Nikon MH-24 charger, and a Nikon camera strap.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.2MP DX-format CMOS, no optical low-pass filter |
| Processor | EXPEED 4 |
| ISO Range | 100-25600 |
| Autofocus Points | 11-point (1 cross-type), Multi-CAM 1000 |
| Continuous Shooting | 5 fps |
| Video | 1080p up to 60fps; no 4K |
| Screen | 3.0″ fixed LCD, non-touchscreen |
| Viewfinder | Pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.85x magnification |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | Approx. 1,550 shots |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth (SnapBridge); no built-in Wi-Fi |
| Dimensions | 124 × 97 × 70mm |
| Weight | Approx. 365g (body only); 415g with battery/card |
| Mount | Nikon F-Bayonet (DX format) |
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Sources
- Nikon USA (official): https://www.nikonusa.com/p/d3500/D3500/overview
- DPReview: https://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/slrs/nikon_d3500
- Imaging Resource: https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-d3500/nikon-d3500DAT.HTM
- DSLRBodies (Thom Hogan): https://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/older-camera-database/nikon-d3500-specifications.html
✅ Fact-checked against Nikon USA, DPReview, Imaging Resource, and DSLRBodies. All specifications confirmed accurate.