Nikon has been making some amazing cameras for the longest time, and there is no denying that they are good at what they do.
The point is that if you are looking for a Nikon camera and you want to be sure that it fits your budget, then this post is for you because we are going to be doing a Nikon D3500 vs D5600, and if you have been searching for something that is solid and can’t go wrong, then this comparison is the right way to go.
The purpose of this entire comparison is to ensure that everyone knows what camera they should be picking up. That is why we are not going to delay any further and start exploring.
Nikon D3500 Specs
We are going to make things easier and start with the specs of both cameras. If you are picking up the Nikon D3500, then this is what you will be getting.
- 24-megapixel APS-C sensor.
- No anti-aliasing filter.
- ISO from 100 to 25,600.
- Nikon F mount.
- 3-inch fixed screen.
- Optical viewfinder.
- 5.0 FPS continuous shooting.
- FHD video recording.
- 365g. 124 x 97 x 70 mm
Nikon D5600 Specs
On the other hand, we are going to start looking at the Nikon D5600, an older camera by almost 2 years, but still very good in terms of the overall performance and demand in the market.
- 24-megapixel APS-C sensor.
- No anti-aliasing filter.
- ISO 100 – 25,600.
- Nikon F mount.
- 3.2-inch fully articulating screen.
- Optical viewfinder.
- 5.0 FPS continuous shooting.
- FHD video recording.
- Built-in wireless.
- 465g. 124 x 97 x 70 mm
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: Different Types Of Photography
Now that we have compared the specs of both cameras, the next step is to start exploring how these cameras work in different types of photography.
Considering how this is something that is very important for a lot of people, we are not going to ignore this at all and figure out the answers.
#1- Portrait
Portrait photography is very easy to get into, but based on your experience, it can be incredibly difficult to master if not done in the right way.
So, if you are trying to get better and better at it, you can just go ahead and be sure that you know every aspect of it because otherwise, you would be confused.
Thankfully, when you are talking about portrait photography, both cameras work really, really well in delivering the results you are looking for.
However, the one thing that I will make evident right away is that you are going to need a good lens to get started because without access to one, you might not be able to take the pictures you want, and we do not want that in the first place.
#2- Landscape
Moving onto the landscape photography, you are looking at more or less the same factor that you were with portrait photography. Both cameras, thanks to their incredibly similar sensors, are excellent at what they do, and for the most part, they are not going to deliver a lackluster performance, either.
Thankfully, both the Nikon D3500 and the Nikon D5600 are excellent when you are talking about overall performance and experience, and you are not going to run into any issues, either. That I can guarantee.
You just have to be sure that you are pairing your camera with a proper lens, and you are good to go whenever you are talking about the photography tasks.
#3- Sport
Sports photography is something that is needed by a lot of people because it is fun to do. However, the crucial aspect of any sports photographer or fast-paced photographer is that you are going to need to get your hands on a good frame-per-second shooting sensor and the sensor on the Nikon D3500 and the D5600 offers a max shooting speed of just 5.0 FPS, which might not be enough for sports photography.
This all depends on the use case, but both cameras are equal here, and you should not really have any issues getting on with either of them.
#4- Street
Street photography, on the other hand, has become a lot more accessible over the past couple of years, and for all the good reasons.
Thanks to the fact that you will be out on the street taking shots, and most of them are going to be absolutely candid, having a good understanding of street photography is very important.
Thankfully, both cameras are excellent at achieving great street photography. They have a decent dynamic range, too. So, if you are looking to separate the subjects, you will not really have any issues coming in the way, and you will do just fine without any issues.
#5- Everyday
Moving further, we are going to talk about camera performance in everyday photography. After thinking about it time and again, I figured that looking at both cameras, they are built to be everyday cameras, and everything about these cameras just feels right, and that is a good thing.
If you have been looking into getting your hands on something that just works across the board and does not create any issues for you, then you can pick either of the cameras, and you are all good to go and that too, without any issues that might come in the way otherwise.
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: Sensor Comparison
Sensor size is amongst the most important factors that you will have to keep in mind whenever you are getting your hands on a new camera.
There are a lot of things that actually add up and make a good sensor or a bad sensor, for that matter. Not paying attention to either of these things is only going to be an issue.
Thankfully, both the Nikon D3500 and D5600 are using a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, the sensor size is identical, and both sensors have no anti-aliasing filter, either. So, you are good to go as far as that is concerned.
You are going to get a good overall performance from these cameras, this is one thing that we can confidently say, so you are in safe hands.
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: Lens Comparison
It should not come as a surprise, but a lens support can make or break the camera; if the camera you are buying does not support the right lens that you are looking to attach, then you are left in the woods.
This is why, regardless of how much you are spending on a camera, if the lens support is not good, then you are left without any proper understanding.
Thankfully, both the Nikon D3500 and the Nikon D5600 are using an F mount as the main mount. This means that you can attach pretty much any Nikon lens you want as long as the support is there and it is not going to be complicated at all.
If you want something that just works and works really well, then just look at the lenses that you want, and you are good to go. I would suggest having a good prime lens as well as a good zoom lens is the best way to go with these cameras, and you will get the experience you want.
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: Other Features
Moving further, we are going to pay attention to the features that you are going to get out of the Nikon D3500 and the Nikon D5600.
I do understand that this is something that you cannot really understand, in the first place, but if you look closely, you will figure out that the Nikon D5600, despite being old, has full wireless support, and while it is a small inclusion, it actually works really, really well.
Other than that, both cameras are a lot more identical than you might think, and it works really, really well in all cases. So, you would be good to go.
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: Build And Design
Moving on, another important thing about any camera is the build quality and the overall design language. These are two things that you simply cannot overlook because they will easily ruin the experience that you have, and we do not want that in the first place.
Thankfully, when you are looking at the Nikon D3500 or the D5600, for that matter. The design and the build quality are almost the same.
You might not be able to tell the differences at first glance. Both cameras feel excellent in hand, but there are some differences in the weight and dimensions but nothing major.
Overall, I am simply saying that as far as the design and build are concerned on these cameras, you are more than okay, and you will be good to go.
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: The Battery Life
Battery life is one of the most important factors that can make or break the experience with photography. Without the right offering, you will not be able to get the right experience at all, and we want to be certain that you are getting the right camera and that it has a good battery life, too.
With that out of the way, for those who do know, camera battery life is measured based on the number of shots that they are able to take. With that said, the Nikon D3500 is able to take 1550 shots, whereas the Nikon D5600 is only able to achieve 820 shots. This is a difference of over 730 shots.
Again, this is not going to be a set-in-stone number and can change based on how you are using the camera.
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: Autofocus and speed
Autofocusing is very, very important for everyone who is looking to be sure that the photography experience is good enough because, without access to good autofocusing, the camera is more or less a waste, and we don’t want that, to be honest.
Thankfully, the Nikon D3500 and D5600 have really good autofocusing. However, there is an autofocus touch on the D3500, and similarly, it only has 11 AF points as opposed to 39 on the Nikon D5600.
Speaking of the speed, in general, both cameras are capable of shooting continuously at 5.0 frames per second, which is not the most ideal but considering the price and age of these cameras, it more than makes sense, to be honest.
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: Video Shooting
We are now heading toward the final aspect of the comparison, and we are now going to focus on the video-shooting aspect of both cameras.
Although Nikon never marketed these cameras as hybrid shooters, it is important to understand that you have to understand what the process is all about. So, the more you know, the better.
Both cameras are capable of shooting at FHD, and thanks to the fact that you are looking at 24-megapixel sensors, the images come out looking clean. But be mindful that these cameras are not going to be good at higher ISO.
So, that is one thing that you will always need to know. Rest assured, the overall results are the same across the board, so that is certainly a good thing.
Nikon D3500 vs D5600: Price comparison
For almost everyone, price is a massive factor when it comes to picking up the right camera or anything, for that matter.
A lot of decisions can be made or broken on the gist of the price alone, and this is why we always pay close attention to these things, and we don’t want to go wrong here, in the first place, to be honest.
Both the Nikon D3500 and D5600 are competitively priced and slightly away from each other, but I believe that the price difference between both cameras should not influence.
If you are looking for an overall better camera, then the Nikon D5600 still makes up for an excellent offering, as it does bring some advanced features to the table.
Nikon D5600 vs D3500: Which Camera Should You Buy?
If you are still wondering which camera you should be picking up, then the process of doing this is not going to be that complicated in the first place.
The simplest answer that I am going to give you is that you should pick up the Nikon D5600. Sure, it is on the older side, but it works really, really well and delivers great performance across the board.
Final Verdict:
If you have been having a hard time picking up the right camera, then this whole guide ensures that you know what you should be looking at.
We have compared both the Nikon D5600 and D3500 to a point where you are not going to have any confusion picking the right option. So, if you have been wanting a good camera, then this is your time to pick what you are looking for.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is the Nikon D3500 outdated?
Compared to some of the other trends in the tech world, the camera industry works at a different pace, and the time is normally a lot slower, so no, the Nikon D3500 is definitely not outdated.
Is the Nikon D5600 worth it?
Yes, the Nikon D5600 is definitely worth it, provided you are looking for a higher-end experience that delivers good performance across the board.
Is Nikon D5600 an entry-level?
Yes, the Nikon D5600 is considered to be an entry-level APS-C camera that is capable of delivering some solid performance across the board without breaking a sweat.
Is Nikon discontinuing D5600?
Yes, sadly, the end of production of the camera was announced back in June 2022. However, you can still pick this camera up for an amazing price.
Is Nikon D5600 good for wedding photography?
Yes, provided you have a combination of a good zoom and prime lens, you are good to go with the Nikon D5600, because the camera is an excellent offering that you can look into.