Nikon D3500 Review by Ken Rockwell

Nikon D3500 Review by Ken Rockwell

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[sergioquirosv]

I purchased a D3500 back in February. I'm a professional photographer, and other peers of mine thought I was nuts for trying to produce work with this little bad fella. They were speechless when I showed them the results from a couple of commissioned architectural photoshoots; they were so good, one client sent them to Whitewall to print them as large scale prints for the lobby at their office tower.


The image sensor in this camera is deceivingly fantastic; people underestimate it because of the camera price. The thing is, the only way to truly see what phenomenal images it is capable of is to forget about the kit lens and pair the camera with a top-of-the-line piece of glass.
Currently, I'm using it with the Tamron SP 24-70MM F/2.8 Di VC USD G2. Yes, it's a full frame lens (sue me) and it works perfectly with this cropped sensor D3500. With premium glass like this, this D3500 produces images as good as cameras five times more expensive.


Having said that, I've decided to put it up for sale due to three things it's missing, and which I do use ALL the time: #1 (and most important to me, ) it has no bracketing settings (and obviously no bracketing button.) Manually bracketing your shots is a major pain in the ass, as you always end up moving the camera even if you're extra careful.
#2, it's impossible to put a vertical grip/battery pack on the D3500. I know the market segment this camera is aimed at mostly doesn't care about this, but it would make this camera easier to use.
#3, you can't use any dedicated remote controls or releases. Nikon forces users to do this via the SnapBridge app, and the implementation is so pathetically bad, it's pretty much useless.


If you don't use these features and all you need is superb image quality, go for the D3500. I'm bidding a very sad addieu to this amazing little bad boy and moving up to a D750. Getting my bracketing back!

[RetroVHSGamingVideos]

Thanks Ken. Because of your review, back in '08, I bought a D90. 197, 000 shots and still going. Maybe I'll get this when it dies.

[buddiebubbba]

Got me a D3100 with a 35mm f1.8 about 7 years ago, because of the review on your site. Still very happy with it, thanks!

[hovanyourjunk]

Wow!! So happy to see you on the tube! You’re the guy who inspired me to pick up this hobby and you’ve guided me through all of my purchases and techniques ever since. I met you at Adorama a few years back (when the Fuji x100s was just released) and you couldn’t have been nicer. Best of luck Mr. Rockwell!

[jeffreyschmidt]

Thanks Ken, Your reviews and materials on Nikon are always great and highly informative. Not to over state the case, but truthfully your informative camera reviews changed my life. I moved out of the dark ages from a Nikon N90 to a Nikon D3300 in 2014 - due in part to your wisdom - and was blown away! Since that time I upgraded to a D7100, bought my wife a D3200, and upgraded myself to a D500. Asa result of all these changes I've been able to revive my photography skills from earlier years and became a professional portrait photographer. While as of today I no longer shoot professionally, I do lots of shooting of pets and dog sports. Today shooting is no longer as much about gear but about proper technique and composition. The portrait company I worked for still shoots DX with D7100's and 18-140mm lenses, getting fantastic results! Anyway, your expertise along the way have been a huge benefit for me. Keep up the good work. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[fernandograu]

Thanks Ken for taking the time to narrate your review in YouTube. I like both versions, web and video, equally. You are always very practical in your suggestions!

[RoastBeefSandwich]

Asked for a D40 for Christmas because of your reviews...sparked a decade plus long love of photography. That D40 is still working great too. Thank you for your great work over the years.

[alextubusor]

I used to be a professional photographer from 2013 to 2017. I owned some of the best Canon cameras and lenses (1D4, 5DIII, 6D, 7D, even the 1DX for a short period of time; 70-200 2.8 IS II L, 135 F2 L, 85 1.2 L, 50 1.2 L, MP-E 65 macro, 24-70 L I and II etc.). Then, I got into a business that is more related to my university formation, so I had to quit photography and I consequently sold all my equipment. But, I still love photography and I will always do so.

Last month, on Black Friday, I got an amazing offer for a D3500 + 18-55 VR + 70-300 VR kit. A friend of mine, owner of a photography store, sold me that kit for just 200 euros (brand new, with a 4-year Nikon Italy warranty!). Just irresistible.

So, after almost 3 years without using a DSLR, here we go again. Not a Canon anymore, but a Nikon, not a professional product, but an entry-level one. I was quite scared about that, it sounded like a huge regress for me. But I changed my mind.

This D3500 is just amazing for an entry-level product: great high-ISO management, stunning image quality, great battery life, great ergonomics, decent AF system... ok, it’s not so good for videos, but my iPhone 11 is just amazing for that and a lot more manageable. And God, those two cheap plastic lenses are just stunning … the best 18-55 I ever tried and that 70-300 VR is just unbelievable for being a low-end super telephoto lens (except for the plastic mount which I really hate). AF is ultra-fast and silent, VR works incredibly well and boy, they are razor sharp lenses.

Sure, a pro camera is still a pro camera and a pro lens is still a pro lens, and there’s no need for further explanation. The point is that Nikon has done a such a great job on these entry-level products that they can amaze even someone used with Pro-level equipment, and that’s great. This D3500 is perfect not only for beginners, but even for prosumers and (why not) for professionals when there’s no need for “pro” features. Yes, it sounds a little bit of an exaggeration, but if you think about it, there are a lot of scenarios in which a DSLR like the D3500 offers just everything you need.

I’m really glad to see that you like this little camera as well. Kenrockwell.com has always been my main
reference point and guide. I’m so happy that you decided to go on Youtube too. YOU ARE A LEGEND.


Greetings from Italy.

PS I just added a 35 1.8G DX and a 50 1.8G to my new collection. Great lenses for a great price.

[jamesparkhill]

Great to see you on you tube, Ken! I had a D40 and learned how to use it through your website. Now I shoot professionally and still check your website before buying gear.
And that D40 was a terrific camera!
Please keep the vids coming.

[TatraScrambler]

10:31 Ken you're absolutely right! I do love this camera bigtime! I love it all the more since it's probably the last entry-level DSLR ever (at least from Nikon). Beautiful little thing. Wouldn't have bought it if it weren't for your splendid review! Best regards!

[voicesofoblivion]

great review which easily outperforms many other on youtube! I'm following your reviews (from Germany) in the web since Nikon D40, meaning over 10 years. Your databases, expertise and tests are highly valued for buying decisions. I still own the SB-400 for my P7800, the 5D, 40D, and T5i.
Thanks for the overall excited journey..

[fingerhorn]

Ken is a one off. No-one else in the camera media is as helpfully no-nonsense. I appreciate the theme that photos are ALL to do with your skill, not the hardware, provided the hardware delivers image quality, which this camera does. Everything else is a mixture of overkill or obsession with tech, and maybe a bit of convenience or snobbery. It doesn't take much of a brain to work out that image quality is reliant on two main things: a decent lens and a decent sensor. Everything else is white noise produced by manufacturers and slavishly followed by nerds. Long live the D3500!

I must add that I am sick and tired of photography review websites describing the D3500, patronisingly, as a "beginner's" camera. Actually, because it doesn't have all the convenience and hand holding "features" of far more expensive cameras, that makes it anything but. It's a fantastic piece of kit with basic controls. That doesn't make it "amateur", nor does it diminish the image quality. The whole photographic world is full to the brim of geeks who sit in front of silly desks telling us we MUST buy absurdly expensive gear that has nothing to do with taking decent pictures.

[Oryx]

Ken I love your reviews I have been following you and using your page since my introduction to photography in 2009.

[hunterkillerii]

I throughly enjoyed this review, personally I loved the way you narrated your videos, keep it up :D

[roberthatcher]

Ken, I absolutely love your website and have just found you on YouTube. I bought my first DSLR a couple of years ago, a Nikon D5500, which I love and which is similar to the D3500 but with the addition of a touchscreen. Could you say a few words on YouTube about the D5500? Thanks for being the best, most down to earth, helpful, photographer, reviewer, teacher on the planet for us amateur enthusiast photographers.

[ditto]

I’ve had this for five years now and like it a lot. Two things on this thing would make me happy as a pig in mud- a second command dial, and a real penta-prism. Otherwise, very few negatives. Awesome camera.

[juancarlosayala]

Good to see you on YouTube (well, your hands at least!). Best sort out the sound consistency btw.

[rogerg]

Just subscribed Ken. The least I could do after years of so much good advice and humour too. I upgraded from film to d200 years ago and am ready to upgrade again. The d3500 looks a good candidate!

[bobbytirlea]

You, Sir, are a great inspiration to listen to! Thank you so much for this fascinating Review! Although I've bought the same camera, but still have and love the D200 that is altogether a different beast in settings... yet as it goes for the D3500, the 24.2 Mp sensor and the two kit lens (18-55 mm and 70-300 mm) included in the bundle are, for me, better and more than enough (at least for now).

[billohara]

My wife bought me this camera for Christmas, I'm glad she did her research cause she picked a great camera!