Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-5

The Nikon D3500 and the Olympus E-5 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2018 and September 2010. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (D3500) and a Four Thirds (E-5) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 12.2 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Nikon D3500		Olympus E-5
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses		Four Thirds lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		12.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
1080/60p Video		720/30p Video
ISO 100-25,600		ISO 100-6,400
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
3.0 LCD, 921k dots		3.0 LCD, 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
1550 shots per battery charge		750 shots per battery charge
124 x 97 x 70 mm, 365 g		142 x 117 x 75 mm, 873 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3500 and the Olympus E-5? 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.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D3500 and the Olympus E-5 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-5 is notably larger (38 percent) than the Nikon D3500. Moreover, the E-5 is substantially heavier (139 percent) than the D3500. It is noteworthy in this context that the E-5 is splash and dust-proof, while the D3500 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

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. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3500) and the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-5).

Concerning battery life, the D3500 gets 1550 shots out of its EN-EL14a battery, while the E-5 can take 750 images on a single charge of its BLM-5 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Nikon D3500	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	12.9 oz	1550	n	Aug 2018	429
	Olympus E-5	5.6 in	4.6 in	3.0 in	30.8 oz	750	Y	Sep 2010	1,699
	Canon M100	4.3 in	2.6 in	1.4 in	10.7 oz	295	n	Aug 2017	499
	Canon SX730	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.6 in	10.6 oz	250	n	Apr 2017	399
	Fujifilm X-A7	4.7 in	2.7 in	1.6 in	11.3 oz	440	n	Sep 2019	499
	Fujifilm X-A5	4.6 in	2.7 in	1.6 in	12.7 oz	450	n	Jan 2018	399
	Fujifilm XF10	4.4 in	2.5 in	1.6 in	9.8 oz	330	n	Jul 2018	499
	Fujifilm X-E3	4.8 in	2.9 in	1.7 in	11.9 oz	350	n	Sep 2017	899
	Nikon D3400	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.7 oz	1200	n	Aug 2016	499
	Nikon D5500	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	14.8 oz	820	n	Jan 2015	899
	Nikon D3300	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.2 oz	700	n	Jan 2014	499
	Olympus E-30	5.6 in	4.3 in	3.0 in	24.7 oz	750	n	Nov 2008	1,299
	Olympus E-520	5.4 in	3.6 in	2.7 in	18.9 oz	750	n	May 2008	699
	Olympus E-3	5.6 in	4.6 in	3.0 in	30.9 oz	750	Y	Oct 2007	1,699
	Olympus E-510	5.4 in	3.6 in	2.7 in	19.0 oz	750	n	Mar 2007	799
	Olympus E-1	5.6 in	4.1 in	3.2 in	26.0 oz	750	Y	Jun 2003	1,699
	Panasonic ZS70	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	11.4 oz	380	n	Apr 2017	449
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Metric

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D3500 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 75 percent) than the E-5, 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D3500 features an APS-C sensor and the Olympus E-5 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-5 is 39 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.0. The sensor in the D3500 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-5 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

With 24MP, the D3500 offers a higher resolution than the E-5 (12.2MP), but the D3500 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 4.29μm for the E-5). However, the D3500 is a much more recent model (by 7 years and 11 months) than the E-5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. 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 Olympus E-5 are 20.2 x 15.1 inches or 51.2 x 38.4 cm for good quality, 16.1 x 12.1 inches or 41 x 30.7 cm for very good quality, and 13.4 x 10.1 inches or 34.1 x 25.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D3500 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus E-5 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Nikon D3500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Olympus E-5	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	720/30p	21.6	10.5	519	56
	Canon M100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.5	12.9	1272	78
	Canon SX730	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-A7	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-A5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm XF10	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-E3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D3400	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.8	13.9	1192	86
	Nikon D5500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	14.0	1438	84
	Nikon D3300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.8	1385	82
	Olympus E-30	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	none	21.3	10.4	530	55
	Olympus E-520	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.4	10.4	548	55
	Olympus E-3	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.6	10.5	571	56
	Olympus E-510	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.2	10.0	442	52
	Olympus E-1	Four Thirds	4.9	2560	1920	none	..	..	..	..
	Panasonic ZS70	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the D3500 provides a higher video resolution than the E-5. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the Olympus is limited to 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D3500 and the E-5 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 viewfinder in the E-5 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D3500 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the E-5 has a higher magnification (0.58x vs 0.57x), 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 Nikon D3500 and Olympus E-5 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

	Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
	Nikon D3500	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Olympus E-5	optical	Y	3.0	920	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	Y
	Canon M100	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.1	Y	n
	Canon SX730	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	5.9	Y	Y
	Fujifilm X-A7	none	n	3.5	2760	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm X-A5	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm XF10	none	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm X-E3	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	n
	Nikon D3400	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D5500	optical	n	3.2	1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D3300	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Olympus E-30	optical	Y	2.7	230	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	Y
	Olympus E-520	optical	n	2.7	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	Y
	Olympus E-3	optical	Y	2.5	230	swivel	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	Y
	Olympus E-510	optical	n	2.5	215	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	Y
	Olympus E-1	optical	Y	1.8	134	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	n	n
	Panasonic ZS70	1166	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y

One feature that differentiates the E-5 and the D3500 is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The E-5 reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the D3500 offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.

The D3500 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the E-5 uses Compact Flash or xD Picture cards. The E-5 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D3500 only has one slot.

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 Nikon D3500 and Olympus E-5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

	Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
	Nikon D3500	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
	Olympus E-5	Y	stereo	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Canon M100	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Canon SX730	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
	Fujifilm X-A7	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Fujifilm X-A5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Fujifilm XF10	-	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Fujifilm X-E3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Nikon D3400	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
	Nikon D5500	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
	Nikon D3300	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Olympus E-30	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Olympus E-520	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Olympus E-3	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Olympus E-510	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Olympus E-1	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Panasonic ZS70	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Olympus E-5 (unlike the D3500) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The D3500 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the E-5 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the E-5 from Olympus. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Nikon and Olympus websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Nikon D3500 and the Olympus E-5? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Nikon D3500:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 12.2MP) with a 43% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60p vs 720/30p).
• More compact: Is smaller (124x97mm vs 142x117mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 508g or 58 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1550 versus 750) on a single battery charge.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (75 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 7 years and 11 months of technical progress since the E-5 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Olympus E-5:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.58x vs 0.57x).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2010).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D3500 comes out slightly ahead of the E-5 (13 : 12 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 wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3500 and the Olympus E-5 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 partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the D3500 or the E-5. 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 why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Nikon D3500	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	429
	Olympus E-5	..	75/100	4/5	..	4.5/5	Sep 2010	1,699
	Canon M100	+	..	4/5	..	3.5/5	Aug 2017	499
	Canon SX730	+	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	399
	Fujifilm X-A7	..	81/100	4/5	..	3.5/5	Sep 2019	499
	Fujifilm X-A5	+	..	4/5	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	399
	Fujifilm XF10	..	75/100	4/5	..	4.5/5	Jul 2018	499
	Fujifilm X-E3	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899
	Nikon D3400	+	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499
	Nikon D5500	+	79/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	899
	Nikon D3300	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2014	499
	Olympus E-30	..	71/100	4.5/5	..	4/5	Nov 2008	1,299
	Olympus E-520	87/100	+ +	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	May 2008	699
	Olympus E-3	88/100	+ +	o	o	4/5	Oct 2007	1,699
	Olympus E-510	89/100	+ +	3.5/5	o	4.5/5	Mar 2007	799
	Olympus E-1	..	+	o	o	..	Jun 2003	1,699
	Panasonic ZS70	+ +	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2017	449
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. 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: Nikon D3500 vs Olympus E-5

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.

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