Nikon D3500 vs Fujifilm X-E2S

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3500 and the Fujifilm X-E2S, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D3500 was introduced in August 2018 and Fujifilm X-E2S was introduced in January 2016. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3500 over Fujifilm X-E2S.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Fujifilm X-E2S over Nikon D3500.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon D3500 and Fujifilm X-E2S have 3.0" Fixed screens with 921k dot and 1,040k dot resolutions respectively.

Viewfinder

Nikon D3500 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderFujifilm X-E2S has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dot resolution. Nikon D3500 has 95% coverage with 0.85x (0.57x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Fujifilm X-E2S has 100% coverage with 0.93x (0.62x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Nikon D3500 features a 24.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600. Fujifilm X-E2S features a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS X-TRANS II sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 51,200 in boosted mode.

Fujifilm X-E2S has CMOS X-TRANS II sensor

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon D3500 is equipped with EXPEED 4 processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Fujifilm X-E2S is equipped with EXR Processor II processor and can take pictures up to 4896 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3:2 (3456 x 2304, 2496 x 1664), 16:9 (4896 x 2760, 2304 x 2304), 1:1 (3264 x 3264, 2304 x 2304, 1664 x 1664) with 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Nikon D3500 has Nikon F lens mount and Fujifilm X-E2S has Fujifilm X lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Low-Pass Filter

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on either of the cameras. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon D3500 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Fujifilm X-E2S nothing can be done. On Fujifilm X-E2S it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D3500 nothing can be done.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Fujifilm X-E2S

Fujifilm X-E2S has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

Bluetooth on Nikon D3500

Nikon D3500 has a built-in Bluetooth which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3500 has a Mini HDMI and Fujifilm X-E2S has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D3500 comes with EN-EL14a battery pack with battery life of 1550 shots and Fujifilm X-E2S comes with NP-W126 battery pack with battery life of 350 shots.

External Storage Slots

Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

Shutter

Nikon D3500 has Electronic shutter. Fujifilm X-E2S has Focal Plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D3500, and up to 1/32000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/4000 sec with mechanical shutter on Fujifilm X-E2S. Nikon D3500 can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Fujifilm X-E2S can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D3500 has 11 focusing points and Fujifilm X-E2S has 77 focusing points. Nikon D3500 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3500 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D3500 and ±3 EV range on Fujifilm X-E2S. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3500 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Fujifilm X-E2S.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 7.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D3500 and 7.00 m (@ ISO 200) on Fujifilm X-E2S. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D3500 and 1/180 sec on Fujifilm X-E2S.

Nikon D3500 body has dimensions of 124 x 97 x 70 mm (4.88 x 3.82 x 2.76") and Fujifilm X-E2S body has dimensions of 129 x 75 x 37 mm (5.08 x 2.95 x 1.46"). Nikon D3500 weighs 365 g (0.80 lb / 12.87 oz) and Fujifilm X-E2S weighs 350 g (0.77 lb / 12.35 oz).

Nikon D3500

Fujifilm X-E2S

124 mm

97 mm

129 mm

75 mm

97 mm

75 mm

70 mm

37 mm