Recording
Features
Lens Features
Playback, Editing And
Printing Functions
Connections
Battery Information
Software
Recording Features
Overview: The Nikon D3500 18-55mm VR Kit includes the Nikon
D3500
digital SLR camera body and the AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm, f/3.5-5.6G VR standard zoom lens. The kit also includes
the EN-EL14a rechargeable Lithium
Ion battery pack, and the MH-24 battery charger.
LCD Monitor: The Nikon D3500 has a 3" TFT LCD monitor
featuring approximately 921,000 dots and adjustable brightness (-5 to +5). The large 3" LCD monitor can display
shooting information such as shutter speed, aperture, and number of exposures
remaining as well as the settings currently applied. You can choose from a
classic information display or a graphic display.
Live View: The camera features Live View, which
allows you to frame your photographs in the monitor instead of the viewfinder.
When the Live View button is pressed, the mirror is raised and the view through
the lens will be displayed in the monitor. The subject will no longer be visible
in the viewfinder. The Live View display will show up to 13 items, including
shooting, focus, and AF-area modes, along with other status indicators. You can
opt to hide many of the indicators, or overlay a framing grid in the monitor.
Optical Viewfinder: The D3500 uses a fixed
eye-level penta-mirror single-lens reflex viewfinder with a built-in diopter
adjustment to set the viewfinder to your personal eyesight (with or without
glasses). The viewfinder's coverage
area is approximately 95% horizontal and vertical. During self-timer
operation, when your eye does not cover the viewfinder eyepiece, stray light may
enter the eyepiece and affect the exposure when the image is captured. To
prevent this, you can use an optional eyepiece cap to cover the eyepiece.
Image Sensor: The D3500 features a 23.5mm x 15.6mm DX-format CMOS
image sensor with a total pixel count of approximately 24.78 million pixels and
an effective pixel count of approximately 24.2 million.
Recording Media: The camera records
images on SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards, including UHS-I compliant cards. No SD cards
are included with the camera. The camera has no internal memory.
Still Image Formats: The D3500
records still images in JPEG and NEF (RAW) formats. You can choose from the
following Image Quality and Image Size settings:
Quality Option
(Compression ratio) | Available Image Sizes | Description |
| NEF (Raw) | 6000 x 4000 | Raw data from the
image sensor is saved
directly to the memory card in the Nikon Electronic Format (NEF).
Settings such as white balance and contrast can be adjusted in the
camera or on a
computer after shooting. |
| NEF (Raw) + JPEG Fine | 6000 x 4000 | Two images are recorded,
one NEF image and one fine-quality JPEG image. |
JPEG Fine
(1:4) | L:
6000 x 4000
M: 4496 x 3000
S: 2992 x 2000 | Fine image quality,
suitable for enlargements or high-quality prints. |
JPEG Normal
(1:8) | Normal image quality,
suited to most applications |
JPEG Basic
(1:16) | Basic image quality,
suitable for pictures that will be distributed by e-mail or used in
web pages. |
Movie Recording: The D3500 records 16:9 movies in Full HD
and HD, in MOV file format with H.264/MPEG-4 advanced video coding. Linear PCM
audio is recorded by the built-in monaural microphone. Movies can be recorded in
the following frame sizes, image quality, and rates:
| Frame Size (pixels) | Frame Rate (fps) | Maximum Length |
| High Quality | Normal Quality |
| 1920 x 1080 | 60p (NTSC) | 10 min | 20 min |
| 50p (PAL) |
| 30p (NTSC) | 20 min | 29 min 59 sec |
| 25p (PAL) |
| 24p (NTSC) |
| 1280 x 720 | 60p (NTSC) |
| 50p (PAL) |
Focus Modes: You can choose from the
following autofocus and manual focus modes:
- Auto-servo AF (AF-A): Camera automatically selects
single-servo autofocus if subject is stationary, and continuous-servo
autofocus if subject is moving.
- Single-servo Autofocus (AF-S): For stationary subjects.
Focus locks when shutter-release button is pressed halfway.
- Continuous-servo Autofocus (AF-C): For moving subjects.
Camera focuses continuously while shutter release button is pressed halfway.
- Manual (M): Manual focus is available for lenses that do not
support autofocus (non-AF Nikkor lenses) or when autofocus does not produce
the desired results.
AF Assist Illuminator: The built-in AF assist illuminator enables the
camera to focus even when the subject is poorly lit. This feature will light
automatically to assist the autofocus operation when the shutter release button
is pressed halfway. It has an operating range of 1'-8" to 9'-10". The
length of some telephoto or zoom lenses may block the illuminator's light,
making the feature ineffective or unavailable.
AF-Area Modes: The D3500 offers a choice of four focus areas that
together cover a wide area of the frame. The AF-area mode determines how the
focus area is selected and what happens if the subject moves out of the selected
focus area while the camera is still focusing. You can choose one of the
following AF-area modes:
- Single-Point: You select the focus area manually and the camera
focuses on the subject in the selected focus area only. The selection can be
made from any one of the eleven AF spot sensors.
- Dynamic Area: In AF-A and AF-C modes, the user selects
focus point manually but camera will focus based on information from
surrounding focus points if subject briefly leaves the selected point.
- Auto Area: Camera automatically detects subject and selects focus
point.
- 3D-Tracking (11 points): In AF-A and AF-C focus modes, you select
the focus point using the multi-selector. If subject moves after camera has
focused, camera uses 3D tracking to select new focus point and keep focus
locked on original subject while shutter release pressed halfway. If subject
leaves viewfinder, you will need to remove finger from shutter release
button and recompose photo with subject in the selected focus point.
Focus Lock: Focus Lock can be used to change the composition after
focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in one of
the focus points in the final composition.
Release Modes: The camera
can take pictures one at a time, or continuously as long as the shutter release
button is pressed. You can also take photos using the self-timer. The camera allows you to choose from the following
Release Modes:
- Single Frame: The camera takes one photograph each time the
shutter release button is pressed
- Continuous: The camera records photographs up to 5
frames per second while the shutter release button is held down.
- Quiet Shutter Release: The camera takes a single
photograph, as in Single Frame mode, except that the camera makes no shutter
sound when shooting or beep when focusing.
- Self-timer: This mode can be used to reduce camera shake or for
self-portraits. The shutter is released about 2, 5, 10, or 20 seconds after
shutter-release button is pressed depending on setting. You can set the
camera to take 1-9 exposures.
Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II: The D3500's 3D
Color Matrix Metering II evaluates each scene for brightness, color, contrast,
size and position of shadows and highlights, selected focus area and
camera-to-subject distance, comparing that information against an onboard
database of more than 30,000 actual photographic scenes. The result delivers
instantly and precisely determined exposures for each scene, even in challenging
lighting conditions. It is active when using type E or G lenses.
Metering: You can choose from the following Metering Modes
to determine how the camera sets exposure:
- Matrix: Produces natural results in most situations.
Camera uses 420-pixel RGB sensor to meter a wide area of the frame and set
exposure according to tone distribution, color, composition, and with
type E or G lenses, range information. (See 3D Color Matrix Metering II
above). With other CPU lenses, the camera uses color matrix metering II,
which does not include 3D range information.
- Center-weighted: The camera meters the entire frame but assigns
greatest weight (75%) to center area.
- Spot: The camera meters exposure in active focus point only. This
ensures that the subject will be correctly exposed, even when background is
much brighter or darker.
Shooting Modes:
The
Mode Dial on the top of the camera offers a choice of shooting modes, divided
into the following categories:
- Guide Mode: The Guide Mode gives you access to a
variety of frequently-used and useful functions. In the Guide Mode, you can
shoot photos, view and/or delete pictures, or change camera settings.
- Auto Modes: You can choose from two Auto modes for
simple point-and-shoot photography: Auto and Auto (Flash Off).
- P, S, A, and M Modes: Select one of these modes for
full control over the camera settings: Programmed Auto, Shutter-priority,
Aperture-priority, and Manual.
- Scene Modes: The camera automatically optimizes the
settings to suit the scene selected with the mode dial. Scene modes include
Portrait, Sports, Close Up, and Night Portrait.
- Special Effects Modes: Special effects that can be used
during shooting include: Night Vision, Super Vivid, Pop, Photo Illustration,
Toy Camera Effect, Miniature Effect, Selective Color,
Silhouette, High Key, and Low Key.
Scene Auto Selector: When in Live View in Auto or Auto Flash Off
modes, the camera will automatically analyze the subject and select the
appropriate shooting mode when autofocus is enabled. Modes that can be
selected include: Auto/Auto (Flash off), Portrait, Close Up, and Night Portrait.
AE/AF Lock: If your subject is off-centered in the frame,
it can become difficult to achieve proper exposure and focus. By engaging the
AE/AF Lock feature, you can focus and meter on your subject, lock the exposure
and focus by pressing the shutter release button halfway, then recompose your
shot before taking the picture. You can choose from the following AE/AF Lock
settings.
- AE/AF Lock: both focus and exposure lock while the AE/AF lock
button is pressed
- AE Lock only: exposure locks while the AE/AF lock button is pressed
while the focus is unaffected
- AF Lock only: focus locks while the AE/AF lock button is pressed while
the exposure is unaffected align
- AE Lock Hold: exposure locks when the AE/AF lock button is
pressed and remains locked until the button is pressed again
- AF-On: the AE/AF button initiates autofocus while the
shutter-release button cannot be used to focus
Exposure Compensation: You can alter the exposure from the value
suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. You can adjust the
exposure from -5.0 to +5.0 EV in 1/3 EV steps while shooting in P, S, A, and M
modes.
White Balance: White balance is used to preserve natural colors under
different types of lighting. When the camera is set to one of the exposure
modes, you can choose one of the following white balance options: Auto,
Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, and Preset
Manual.
Note: In addition to the the basic White Balance options, the
camera features Color Temperature settings for specific types of
lighting. You can choose from Sodium-vapor lamps, Incandescent/Warm-white
fluorescent, White fluorescent, Cool-white fluorescent, Day white
fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Daylight Fluorescent, Shade, and
high temp Mercury-vapor lamps.
ISO Sensitivity: ISO Sensitivity is the digital equivalent
of film speed. When lighting is poor, the camera will automatically
increase sensitivity, permitting faster exposures, and minimizing blur caused by
inadvertent camera movement, up to a maximum equivalent of ISO 25600. In most
shooting modes, you can manually select from ISO settings 100
to 25600, with incremental steps of 1 EV.
Active D-Lighting: Nikon's Active D-Lighting can
correct exposure issues due to difficult lighting conditions instantly and
automatically while you shoot. Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights
and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast.
Built-in Flash/Optional Speedlights: The camera comes with a
convenient built-in pop-up flash. When using the built-in flash, you can choose
from the following flash modes:
- Auto Flash Modes: Auto, Auto + Red-Eye Reduction, Auto Slow
Sync + Red-Eye Reduction, Auto Slow Sync, and Flash Off.
- Manual Flash Modes (in P, S, A, and M modes): Fill Flash, Red-Eye
Reduction, Slow Sync + Red Eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain Sync +
Slow Sync, and Rear Curtain Sync.
Accessory Shoe: The camera's accessory shoe, located above
the viewfinder, allows you to add an optional Speedlight for more creative flash
photography. Nikon Speedlights offer intelligent through-the-lens (i-TTL) flash control and bounce flash capability
for a more natural lighting effect without strong shadows. Some Speedlights give
you wireless multiple-flash operation through the Nikon Creative Lighting
System. The shoe is
compatible with the flagship
SB-5000,
SB-700, and
SB-300,
and others. The camera supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) and can
be used with CLS-compatible flash units.
Picture Controls: You can choose from the following Picture Control options:
- Standard: Standard processing for balanced
results--recommended for most situations.
- Neutral: Minimal processing for natural results. Choose
for photos that will later be extensively processed or retouched.
- Vivid: Pictures are enhanced for a vivid photoprint
effect. Choose for photographs that emphasize primary colors.
- Monochrome: takes photos in black and white
- Portrait: lowers contrast while lending natural texture
and rounded feel
- Landscape: produces vibrant landscapes and cityscapes
- Flat: for photographs that will later be extensively
processing or retouched.
Lens Features
18-55mm Lens: This package includes the AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
lens. This lens is part of Nikon's new "P" series of lenses, using a pulse motor
(utilizing stepping motors) for ultra-fast, near silent autofocus. The lens is optimized
for DX-format cameras, and can be used with FX-format cameras in DX Crop Mode.
The lens
includes a snap-on front lens cap and a slip-on rear lens cap.
Nikon Lens Features: The Nikon 18-55mm lens
has the following Nikon lens technologies:
- Pulse Motor (P): Nikon's new "P" series of lenses use a
pulse motor (utilizing stepping motors) for smoother and quieter focusing,
compared to previous drive systems. This type of drive system is very quiet,
making it ideal for shooting video.
- Super Integrated Coating (SIC): The lens features a
multi-layered coating of the optical elements.
- M/A: The lens can be used in manual or automatic
focusing. You can easily and seamlessly switch from one mode to another with
no lag time by simply turning the focusing ring.
- Vibration Reduction (VR): Nikon's
Vibration Reduction helps reduce blur caused by camera shake, and allows
shutter speeds up to 4.0 stops slower than without VR. Vibration Reduction
applies lens shift correction using voice coil motors (VCMs).
- Aspherical Lens Elements (AS): The
lens contains Aspherical lens elements which contain non-spherical surfaces
on either or both sides to eliminate certain types of lens aberration.
Specifications:
| | 18-55mm |
| Type of Lens | Type-G AF-P DX Zoom-NIKKOR lens with built-in CPU |
| Type of Mount | Nikon F-bayonet type |
| Filter Diameter | 55mm |
| Focal Length Range | 18mm to 55mm |
| Aperture Range | f/3.5 (wide) - f/5.6 (tele) |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 (wide) - f/38
(tele) |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.9 feet (10.8") at all zoom positions |
| Focusing Method | AutoFocus controlled by a stepping
motor; separate focus ring for manual focus |
| Diaphragm | Rounded 7-blade |
| Lens Construction | 12 elements in 9 groups (incl. 2 aspherical lens
elements) |
| Angle of View | 76° to 28°50' (DX-format) |
| Focal Length Scale | 18, 24, 35, 45, 55mm |
| Dimensions | 2.526" Diameter, 2.757" Length |
| Weight | 6.9 ounces |
Playback, Editing And Printing
Functions
Nikon SnapBridge: The Nikon D3500 is compatible with
SnapBridge, which establishes a connection between the camera and a compatible
smart device. Using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and the SnapBridge app, your
photos and videos are automatically transferred from the camera to your smart
device as they are taken. They can also be uploaded to cloud storage services,
such as Nikon Image Space, for access from several devices. The SnapBridge app
is compatible with the following:
- iOS: 10.0 or later
- Android: Android 5.0 or later
- Available from Google Play
Auto Image Rotation: Photographs taken while this feature is set to
"On" allow the image to be played back automatically in the orientation it was
taken, including Landscape, Portrait (rotated clockwise) or Portrait (rotated
counter-clockwise). When viewing the photos on your computer using ViewNX-i or
Capture NX-D software, the photos recording with Auto Image Orientation turned
on will display at the proper orientation.
Rotate Tall: Portrait photos are displayed in
tall orientation during playback. This feature can be turned off in the menu, if
desired.
Image Review: When this setting is enabled, the camera
displays the image on the LCD monitor after the picture is taken. You can choose
how long photographs are displayed in the monitor after shooting. If Image
Review is turned off, pictures can only be displayed by pressing the playback
button.
Single-Image Playback: During single-image playback, you
can view all the pictures stored on the memory card one at a time.
Thumbnail Playback: This feature allows you to view 4, 9, or
72 images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image
quickly. You can also choose a calendar playback, sorted by date.
Image Retouch: Once you have taken a photo, you can create
trimmed or retouched copies through the Retouch Menu. You can choose from the
following options: NEF (RAW) processing, Trim, Resize, D-Lighting, Quick
retouch, Red-eye correction, Straighten, Distortion control, Perspective
control, Fisheye, Filter effects, Monochrome, Image overlay, Color outline,
Photo illustration, Color sketch, Miniature effect, Selective color, Painting,
Edit movie, and Side-by-side comparison.
Slide Show: This features plays photographs back in an
automatic slide show manner. You can set the frame interval to 2, 3, 5, or 10
seconds. Transition effects (each frame is pushed out of the display by the
following frame) can be turned on or off.
Playback Zoom: During single-image and thumbnail
playback, you can zoom in on the selected image. You can zoom in up to 38x for
large images, up to 28x for medium images, and up to 19x for small images. Once
the image is enlarged, you can pan around the image on the LCD monitor using the multi
selector.
Playback Menu: The playback menu includes the following
options: Delete, Playback folder, Playback display options, Image Review, Auto
Image Rotation, Rotate
Tall, Slide Show, Rating, and Select to send to smart device.
Protecting Images: The protect feature allows you to
protect important images from accidental erasure.
PictBridge Printing Capability: You can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge-compliant printer.
PictBridge allows you to connect the
camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer and make prints, regardless of
brand. A Micro-USB cable is required for connecting the camera to the
printer.
Connections
Micro USB Port: The Nikon D3500 has a Micro USB port for
connecting the camera to your computer for uploading photos and videos, or for
updating the camera firmware. The port is USB 2.0 Hi-Speed compatible. No USB
cable is included with the camera.
Mini HDMI: When playing back movies and high
resolution still images, you can connect the camera to your HDTV via an
optional Mini-HDMI cable (Type C).
Battery Information
Li-ion Battery Pack: The D3500 comes with the EN-EL14a rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
(7.2V, 1230mAh, 8.9Wh), with the capacity of approximately 1550 shots per charge (using
supplied lens) or approximately 75 minutes of continuous movie recording (at
1080/60p).
Battery Charger: The camera comes with a Battery Charger (MH-24)
to the charge the supplied Li-ion battery pack. The MH-24 will charge the EN-EL14a
battery pack in approximately 1 hour 50 minutes.
Auto Off Timers: This feature allows you to choose how long
the monitor and exposure meters remain on when no operations are performed to
prevent battery drain. You can choose from the following four selections:
| Selection | Playback/Menus | Image Review | Live View | Standby Timer |
| Short | 20 sec | 4 sec | 5 min | 4 sec |
| Normal | 5 min | 4 sec | 10 min | 8 sec |
| Long | 10 min | 20 sec | 20 min | 1 min |
| Custom | Make separate adjustments to each of
the four timers. |
Optional AC Adapter: The optional EH-5b AC adapter and
optional EP-5A power connector are recommended for extended playback.
Software
ViewNX-i: No software is included with the D3500. You
can download Nikon's ViewNX-i software for uploading and viewing pictures
and videos. In addition, Nikon's Capture NX-D, which launches within ViewNX-i,
can be used for editing and fine-tuning photos, and to change the settings
of NEF (RAW) images and convert them to other formats. For editing movies
and creating multi-media projects, ViewNX-Movie Editor software (included
with ViewNX-i) can be used.
Supported Operating Systems: ViewNX-i software is compatible with
the following operating systems:
- Windows: Windows 10 (Home, Pro, Enterprise), Windows 8.1
(including Pro and Enterprise), and Windows
7 (Home Basic, Home Premium Service Pack 1, Professional SP1, Enterprise
SP1, and Ultimate SP1)
- Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.11.6, macOS Sierra version
10.12.6, macOS High Sierra version 10.13.6
