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Canon 350D vs Nikon D3500

The Canon EOS 350D (called Canon XT in some regions) and the Nikon D3500 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in February 2005 and August 2018. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 8 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 24 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon 350D
versus
Nikon D3500
Canon 350D   Nikon D3500
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Canon EF mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
8 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-1,600 ISO 100-25,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
1.8" LCD – 115k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
400 shots per battery charge1550 shots per battery charge
127 x 94 x 64 mm, 540 g 124 x 97 x 70 mm, 415 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 350D and the Nikon D3500? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 350D and the Nikon D3500 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The 350D can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D3500 is only available in black.

Size Canon 350D vs Nikon D3500
Compare 350D versus D3500 top
Comparison 350D or D3500 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 350D and the Nikon D3500 are of equal size. However, the D3500 is markedly lighter (23 percent) than the 350D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 350D nor the D3500 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Yet, since both cameras are based around an APS-C sensor, their respective lenses will tend to have similar dimensions and heft. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (350D) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3500).

Concerning battery life, the 350D gets 400 shots out of its Canon NB-2LH battery, while the D3500 can take 1550 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL14a power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 350D 127 mm 94 mm 64 mm 540 g 400 n Feb 2005 899ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 415 g 1550 n Aug 2018 429ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 77D 131 mm 100 mm 76 mm 540 g 600 n Feb 2017 899ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 750D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 555 g 440 n Feb 2015 749ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 760D 132 mm 101 mm 78 mm 565 g 440 n Feb 2015 649ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 650D 133 mm 100 mm 79 mm 575 g 440 n Jun 2012 849ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 500D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 520 g 400 n Mar 2009 799ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 450D 129 mm 98 mm 62 mm 524 g 500 n Jan 2008 799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 30D 144 mm 106 mm 74 mm 785 g 750 n Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 400D 127 mm 84 mm 65 mm 556 g 370 n Aug 2006 799ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 20D 144 mm 106 mm 72 mm 770 g 700 n Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 300D 142 mm 99 mm 72 mm 649 g 400 n Aug 2003 899ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 699ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D3400 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 445 g 1200 n Aug 2016 499ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D3300 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 430 g 700 n Jan 2014 499ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D5300 125 mm 98 mm 76 mm 480 g 600 n Oct 2013 799ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D3200 125 mm 96 mm 77 mm 505 g 540 n Apr 2012 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D3500 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 52 percent) than the 350D, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D3500 is 12 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (350D) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Canon 350D and Nikon D3500 sensor measures

With 24MP, the D3500 offers a higher resolution than the 350D (8MP), but the D3500 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 6.41μm for the 350D). Yet, the D3500 is a much more recent model (by 13 years and 6 months) than the 350D, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D3500 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D3500 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D3500 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 350D are 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm for good quality, 13.8 x 9.2 inches or 35.1 x 23.4 cm for very good quality, and 11.5 x 7.7 inches or 29.3 x 19.5 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 350D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3500 are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

350D versus D3500 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon 350D APS-C 8.0 3456 2304none21.810.863760
2.
 
Nikon D3500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.4185183
3.
 
Canon 77D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.397178
4.
 
Canon 750D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.712.091971
5.
 
Canon 760D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.612.091570
6.
 
Canon 650D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.711.272262
7.
 
Canon 500D APS-C 15.1 4752 31681080/20p21.711.566363
8.
 
Canon 450D APS-C 12.2 4272 2848none21.910.869261
9.
 
Canon 30D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.510.873659
10.
 
Canon 400D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.066462
11.
 
Canon 20D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.911.072162
12.
 
Canon 300D APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.010.854455
13.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
14.
 
Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.9119286
15.
 
Nikon D3300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.8138582
16.
 
Nikon D5300 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.9133883
17.
 
Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.2113181
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The D3500 indeed provides for movie recording, while the 350D does not. The highest resolution format that the D3500 can use is 1080/60p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The 350D and the D3500 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the D3500 has a higher magnification than the one of the 350D (0.57x vs 0.49x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 350D and Nikon D3500 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon 350Doptical n1.8 / 115 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Nikon D3500optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 77Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 750Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 760Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon 650Doptical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 500Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.4/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 450Doptical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
9.
 
Canon 30Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Canon 400Doptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Canon 20Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Canon 300Doptical n1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
13.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon D3300optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
16.
 
Nikon D5300optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
17.
 
Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

The 350D writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the D3500 uses SDXC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 350D and Nikon D3500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon 350DY- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Nikon D3500Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
3.
 
Canon 77DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
4.
 
Canon 750DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 760DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon 650DYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon 500DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Canon 450DY- / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Canon 30DY- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Canon 400DY- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Canon 20DY- / ----1.1---
12.
 
Canon 300DY- / ----1.1---
13.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
14.
 
Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
15.
 
Nikon D3300Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
16.
 
Nikon D5300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
17.
 
Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
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Both the 350D and the D3500 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 350D was replaced by the Canon 400D, while the D3500 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the 350D and D3500 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 350D Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D3500 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 350D or the Nikon D3500 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Advantages of the Canon EOS 350D:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2005).

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3500:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 8MP), which boosts linear resolution by 74%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/60p video.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.57x vs 0.49x).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 1.8") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (921k vs 115k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 125g or 23 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1550 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (52 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 13 years and 6 months of technical progress since the 350D launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D3500 is the clear winner of the contest (12 : 2 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

350D 02:12 D3500

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 350D and the Nikon D3500 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 350D or the D3500 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon 350D..80/100..+ +o.. Feb 2005 899ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D35004/5..4/575/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2018 429ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 77D4.5/5..4/582/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2017 899ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 750D5/5....75/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 760D5/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 649ebay.com
6.
 
Canon 650D4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2012 849ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 500D..+ +..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 799ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 450D..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 799ebay.com
9.
 
Canon 30D..+ +..+ +o.. Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
10.
 
Canon 400D..+ +..+ +o4/5 Aug 2006 799ebay.com
11.
 
Canon 20D......+ +.... Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
12.
 
Canon 300D......+ +.... Aug 2003 899ebay.com
13.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 699ebay.com
14.
 
Nikon D34004/5+4/576/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2016 499ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon D33003/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2014 499ebay.com
16.
 
Nikon D53004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 799ebay.com
17.
 
Nikon D32005/5+ +..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon 350D vs Nikon D3500

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon 350D Nikon D3500
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Canon EF mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2005 August 2018
    Launch Price USD 899 USD 429
    Sensor Specs Canon 350D Nikon D3500
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 22.2 x 14.8 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 328.56 mm2 366.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 26.7 mm 28.2 mm
    Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 8 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3456 x 2304 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.41 μm 3.91 μm
    Pixel Density 2.42 MP/cm2 6.55 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability no Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC II EXPEED 4
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 60 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.8 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.8 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 637 ..
    Screen Specs Canon 350D Nikon D3500
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.49x 0.57x
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 1.8inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 115k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon 350D Nikon D3500
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy50 000 actuations100 000 actuations
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Canon 350D Nikon D3500
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Canon 350D Nikon D3500
    Battery Type Canon NB-2LH Nikon EN-EL14a
    Battery Life (CIPA)400 shots per charge1550 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 127 x 94 x 64 mm
    (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in)
    124 x 97 x 70 mm
    (4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in)
    Camera Weight 540 g (19.0 oz) 415 g (14.6 oz)
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