For years, Nikon's D3XXX series of cameras has been my recommendation for anyone looking for their first DSLR. Having replaced the D3400 in August 2018, the Nikon D3500 is the most recent model in the line8.

Excellent 24Mp APS-C format sensor; Superb guide mode that teaches you about photography; Compatible with an extensive range of lenses and accessories

Max video resolution is Full HD; Fixed screen

Offering an impressive battery life, richly detailed images and a relatively compact build for its class, if you want a DSLR format camera and are just starting out on your photographic journey, then the Nikon D3500 is a can’t-go-wrong option.

Great battery life; Richly detailed images; Relatively easy to use for beginners; Access to a wide range of optional lenses and accessories from a well-established brand

Fixed LCD screen; No 4K video option; Modest continuous shooting speed

The D3500 is a solid, well-specified entry-level DSLR that gives beginners good handling, great performance and real value for money

Good quality kit lens; Very good image quality; Fast and silent autofocus; Unexpectedly snappy live view; Great for keen learners; Value for money;

Fixed rear screen; Video is HD rather than 4K; Chunky compared to a mirrorless camera;

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

Like its D3400 predecessor, the new Nikon D3500 is a modestly priced but well-equipped camera that takes really good pictures and is an excellent learning tool for those new to DSLRs.

Affordable; Good image quality; Feature-rich; Excellent battery life; In-camera raw processing

Fixed LCD; No touch capabilities; Modest video AF performance

The D3500 is a compact and likeable DSLR for beginners. It's not great for video and its image transfer is slow. But for stills it's a solid choice and its Guide Mode makes it easy to learn.

Beginners who want the DSLR experience;

Video shooters or anyone expecting a phone-like 'WYSIWYG' shooting experience.;

First introduced in August 2018 , Nikon D3500 is a 24.0MP Entry-Level DSLR camera with a APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and Nikon F lens mount. Nikon replaced the older D3400 with this model.

Bluetooth Connectivity; Full HD Video; Optical Built-in Viewfinder; Face Detection Focusing; 24.0MP - High Resolution Sensor; 25.600 Max ISO; 11 Focus Points; 921k dots LCD Resolution; Long Battery Life (1550 shots); 365g Light Body; Panorama Shooting; Flash Sync Port; Remote control with a...

No Wireless Connection; No Image Stabilization; No Articulating Screen; No Touch Screen; 0.56x magnification - Small Viewfinder; No Environmental Sealing

This entry-level DSLR is nearly identical to its predecessor which is in-turn very similar to models before it. The 24 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor used by the D3500 produces nice images with very good sharpness, not much noise and reasonable color.

Very good sharpness; Relatively low noise; Very reliable metering; Truly responsive; Short shutter-lag; Excellent time-to-first-shot; Exceptionally flexible image parameters; Superb battery-life

Poor White-Balance; AF on the slow side; Very small OVF; Inefficient interface; Self-timer resets; LCD causes glare when changing settings; Exposure steps always 1/3 EV; Odd Auto ISO behavior; Mount lacks autofocus mechanical coupling

Nikon is doing everything it can lately to regain its position in the camera world with the announcement of their new flagship mirrorless cameras the Z7 and the Z6. But those are specialty items, cameras that are targeted for professionals and enthusiasts.

Nikon's latest entry into the budget DSLR category, the D3500 is bundled with an AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, which offers great results for a kit lens. Under the hood, you'll find a brand new 24.2MP sensor, ISO range of 100-25,600 – perfect for low-light shooting – and nippy 5fps continuous...