Nikon D3500 is a notable digital SLR for beginner level photography. However, its wide compatibility with a surplus of lens types makes it a viable option for professionals as well.
Nikon D3500 lenses offer a wide array of possibilities to photographers from Sigma’s prime portrait machines to wide-angle Nikkor models and Tamron’s telephoto barrels. Explore a world of possibilities with an affordable D3500 DSLR only by selecting the right lens.
D3500 is well suited for Nikon’s AF-S, DX, and FX-type lenses with its full-frame capturing at all focal lengths.
The camera also supports numerous Sigma and Tamron lenses without cutting the corners of your photographs. The compatibility range is spacious enough for users to settle in with the right choice when opting for the best lenses for Nikon D3500.
From nature photography to portraits and wide-angle prime lenses, Nikon D3500 is the right fit for all. Nikon’s APS-C cameras operate perfectly with Nikkor 18-140mm, 85mm, and 50mm lenses.
To name a few, Sigma’s 10-20mm short-range zoom lenses and Tamron 70-300mm also pair immaculately with D3500.
13 Best Compatible Lenses For Nikon D3500 Digital SLR in 2022
“Wide-angle focal length, a standard zoom range of 2x & reduced surface reflections, lens flares, and ghosting. It is the perfect lens for indoor, outdoor photography & video production in low light.”
An ultra-wide zoom solution, powerful tool for both indoor and landscape photography. A cost-effective wide-angle lens for beginners.
“Slimmer and lighter than any multi-use lens and provides fast, quiet auto-focusing. The pictures are brighter and sharper.”
“With its 11x zoom, you can capture life’s many moments, from wide-angle (18mm) to telephoto (200mm)—great for group shots, landscapes, and close-up portraits.”
“Consistently deliver excellent images. The fast f/1.8 maximum aperture makes it ideal for taking low-light pictures and creating smoothly blurred backgrounds.”
“Perfect for shooting stills and HD videos. provides sharp, clear portrait images, even in low-light situations, with attractive skin tones and great background blur.”
“An ideal handheld macro lens for capturing images of flowers, insects, and similar-sized objects.”
“Easily capture far away images, bringing the action closer to you. Sharper photos and video can be captured with blur-free handheld shooting.”
“Take stunning photographs of birds, wildlife, sports, athletes, performers, landmarks and other distant subjects with a great telephoto zoom can bring it into focus”
1. Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Nikon is specially designed for APS-C sized sensors with internal focusing and zooming features for more usability and functionality.
Sigma is engineered with special software SIGMA OPTIMIZATION PRO that can help to update the lens and adjust focus parameters.
It is a revolutionary innovation for outstanding landscapes, portraits, snapshots, close-ups, and also for casual shots. Also, its hypersonic motor helps in smooth, fast, and accurate autofocusing.
Features
- For beautiful background blur, Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens has a 9-blade rounded diaphragm which makes it a new benchmark in photographic history.
- Sigma 18-35mm with the wide-angle zoomed lens is a revolutionary and ideal product for the users.
- Its wide-angle to a standard zoom lens is specially designed to achieve a larger aperture of 1.8 translates to 27mm-52.5mm on a 35mm camera.
- Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens is a new global vision design with a sigma USB dock for better customization.
- Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens has SLD (special low dispersion) glass for curvature and divergence at the widest angle.
- Its incredible internal focusing and zooming features ensure fast, smooth, and accurate autofocusing.
- Its thermally composite material makes it lighter in weight, reduces its size but increases the lens durability.
Pros
- Best for landscapes, portraits, and casual shots
- An ideal lens for video production
- Lightweight increases the lens durability
Cons
- The focus motor quite slow than others
- May have focusing problems
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2. Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
Sigma 10-20mm has topped the chart with its affordable and immaculate wide-angle lens. The lens is sturdy from the outside and highly responsive from the inside.
The broad compatibility range and wide-angle specialty makes it the best pick for your Nikon D3500 and beyond.
Features
- The focal length could be slightly altered as in zoom lenses to capture the shot at the right moments. To get the most out of the lens, activate 77mm filters and magnify photos to your liking.
- The wide-angle view up to 102-degree delivers a punching shot to a perfect landscape vision with a 10mm focal length.
- From center to corners, the pixel strength and graphics concentration stay balanced inside the frame.
- For close-up photography, pack the subject inside a shallow depth of field from up to 9.4 inches at all focal lengths to get your shots right.
- Sigma 10-20mm features an aperture range between f/4 to f/5.6 for varying light conditions in manual modes.
- AF mode is supported by a ring-type ultrasonic motor with full-time manual focusing for tweaking around with the ongoing video or zoomed pictures explicitly alongside AF.
Pros
- Delivers exceptionally sharp images at night
- A cost-effective wide-angle lens for beginners
- Works best for wide-angle photos
- 102-degree wide viewing angle
Cons
- Sigma 10-20mm lacks a few significant elements
- Not available for Sony mounts
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3. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 12-24mm F4G Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
Nikon DX 12-24mm is the best-in-line standard zoom lens for wide-angle and portrait photography. The lens dynamics are cutting-edge with its superior graphics controls and superior Nikkor technology.
Nikon features a wide viewing angle up to 99 degrees at 12mm with a 2x zoom for group photos and spectacular bokeh effects.
Features
- The aperture range is extensive enough to adapt to various lighting conditions and brightness modes.
- For bokeh effects, it meticulously sharpens and adds contrasts to rather dull photos with its 7-blade near-circular diaphragm settings.
- Plus, the maximum aperture of f/4G works great in nighttime photography without needing a flash.
- The image quality is greatly improved with built-in lens elements. Of 11 elements, two ED elements reduce aberrations, alongside three aspherical elements for curvature corrections and distortion removals.
- The lens internal autofocusing is assisted with a silent wave motor and a full manual control if needed.
- Nikon’s all-new D-type design aids in better light exposures and improved graphics strength to your reprocessed shots.
Pros
- Nikon 12-24mm features IF technology and SWM for quick and noiseless focusing
- Includes multiple lens elements for advanced image enhancements
- 11.8-inch focus helps capture tiny subjects with ease and accuracy
- Suits best for wide-angle and portrait photography
Cons
- Made only for landscape photography
- A bit bulky in size
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4. Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens
Tamron Auto Focus 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens with equivalent focal length on APS-C cameras. Its compact design and 15x zoom range versatility are specially for APS-C sensors, like two sensors in one.
The ultra zoom for the APS-C format lens has reached the new astonishing level of compactness and speed with the PZD (piezo drive). The PZD is an ultrasonic motor-based piezoelectric design.
Features
- Its 15x zoom range, improved lightweight, compact vibration compensation system, macro focusing to 0.49m throughout, and superlative performance are key features of Tamron Auto Focus 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens.
- Also, an incredible and convenient feature is the zoom lock that prevents the camera from the undesired extension of the lens.
- Tamron Auto Focus 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens has a key element of low dispersion glass for better lens sharpness.
- The presence of a low dispersion element in the lens helps to reduce the chromatic aberration and tendency of light of different colors.
- A sharp lens with an internal focusing system provides numerous benefits to photographers or users. Also, its non-rotating front filter ring helps in positioning polarizing and more predictable handling.
- Tamron Auto Focus 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens has a special key feature of an internal focusing system that provides a much closer minimum focusing distance throughout its entire range of focusing.
- Tamron Auto Focus 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD All-In-One Zoom Lens has hybrid aspherical lens elements for bearing the aspherical designation and also has a special anomalous dispersion optical glass used to achieve better color correction and enhancing the overall imaging performance of the camera.
Pros
- Ultrasonic autofocus motor based on an advanced piezoelectric design
- Anomalous Dispersion for best color correction
- Zoom lock for prevention of undesired lens extension
Cons
- Expensive lens
- Slow in focusing
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5. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G All-In-One Zoom Lens
Nikon’s latest DX mounted 18-140mm lens is a sensible pick for zoom lens photographers. It works in all situations and light conditions.
Starting with 18mm wide-angle photography to 140mm telephoto range, Nikon DX captures everything with accurate sharpness and receptivity.
All your details remain intact within the frame with cozy color filters and in-depth blurs by its lens elements.
Features
- The sensor is spacious for all-purpose capturing, be it wildlife photography or portraits, it automatically adjusts with any situation perfectly.
- The background blurring is assisted by quiet autofocus. The lens focuses up to 1.48ft from all angles and zoom parameters.
- Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor has purpose-built swift AF rotation to get the best shot readied for you.
- The telephoto zoom range is up to 7.8x and is assisted by a VR image stabilization in full zoom modes to capture the right moment with blur-free sharp graphics.
- There are 4 VR points for multiple zoom ranges and in low-light conditions.
- The lens elements include ED and aspherical layering to reduce chromatic and axial aberrations.
- The 17 elements in 12 groups reduce coma effects and lens blurring spontaneously to make you vividly capture the right moment in a snap.
- A super integrated coating assists in intense light refraction off the lens glass keeps off the flare and ghosting effects and adds pigmentation to your photograph’s outlook.
Pros
- Vast usage range, from wide-angle to telephoto with the same lens
- VR image stabilization offers shake-free photos in sports modes
- Fast and noiseless AFS motor for autofocusing
- Includes 17 elements in 12 groups
Cons
- Maximum aperture isn’t sufficient for night-time photography
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6. AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G All-In-One Zoom Lens
Nikon DX 18-200mm is a built-for-all version by Nikkor series to get hands-on photography experience from low-range portraits to landscapes and then back to telephoto clicks.
The lens construction is extended to multiple uses. It captures a variety of objects with stabilized pixel strength and awesome sharpness even in night modes.
Features
- AF-S zooms up to 11x at 200mm focal length for telephoto capturing. At 18mm, it converts to a stunning wide-angle lens with extensive details and true graphical illustration.
- For advanced photography, VR II enhances image stabilization in handheld videography and still shooting modes.
- VR II effectively cancels out motion blurs and interference in a split second after you press the shutter button.
- The lens structure comprises ED and aspherical elements for reducing coma effects and multiple aberrations.
- Also, these elements increase the color depth and add more power to your photo when tried with a 72mm filter.
- The aperture range is conveniently ranged between f/3.5 to 5.6G for low- and brightly lit conditions. The lens captures impeccably in low-light conditions with its 7-blade circular diaphragm.
- The super integrated coating reduces flares and ghosting effects when taking photos in bright light conditions.
- For AF, Nikon DX 18-200mm provides an optional full-time manual focus to refine images more accurately in video modes.
Pros
- VR II reduces noise and blurs up to 3.5 stops in handheld photography
- Multiple integrated elements for sharp and vibrant photos
- Offers 76-degree viewing angle at 18mm
- Spacious zoom, up to 11x
Cons
- Works only with DX-supported mounts at full capacity
- Too bulky for travelers
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7. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm F1.8G Prime Lens
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm F1.8 has stunning traits to make your photography experience the best of all. It has seamless focusing and image stabilization coupled with a wide aperture range to make your shots the best ones at all lighting modes.
The lens elements, together with filters create superb photographs at up to 44 degrees viewing angle.
Features
- The lens type works great with APS-C and full-frame cameras with F-mount capacity. Nikon 35mm works with a full capacity at DX modes.
- At FX modes, it displays DX-crop photos with a slightly narrower field of view.
- For autofocusing, Nikon AF-S has a built-in Silent Wave Motor and a rear focusing system for brisk and noiseless image tracking in action modes or at night.
- The lens’s maximum reproduction rate is 0.16x, which means the photographs would be nearly life-sized without cutting the corners.
- As Nikon 35mm is a prime lens, it does not include zooming, making it great for portraits and macro photography.
- There are 8 elements in 6 groups for lens aberration reductions, coma, and miscellaneous image enhancements.
- Nikon AF-S 35mm also delivers high-quality contrasts with soft background blurs and sharp image linings in portrait modes.
- The AF can easily be overridden by manual focus from a lens switch for picture-perfect focusing and sharpness.
- The maximum aperture range of f/1.8G creates vibrant and lucid results at night. In the daytime, the aperture squeezes and provides excellent sharpness and contrasts.
- The shallow depth of field polarizes the subject with amazing in-built elements, articulately blurring everything else.
Pros
- F/1.8 maximum aperture captures grain-free photos at night
- Built-in M/A switch to override AF whenever required
- immaculate background blurring in bokeh effects
- Sharp graphics strength
Cons
- Cannot be used for landscape photography
- Non-zoomable
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8. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm F1.8D Portrait Lens
Nikon AF 50mm is a haven for portrait photographers. It features an extraordinary lens construction for portrait shoots up to 40 degrees. And it has brilliant graphics to make your photograph worth a memory.
The super-slim and lightweight ergonomics make it preferable for traveling or tuck inside a pocket as a back-up lens.
Features
- For flare reduction and anti-ghosting, Nikkor 50mm prime lens has a superior nano-coating around its glass.
- ED and aspherical elements function diligently alongside SIC to make your pictures a bit intense, colorful, and superior compared to other lenses.
- AF is not available for Nikon D3000 and Nikon D5000 series. Instead, you have to manually focus on bokeh effects and personalized blurs.
- For supported cameras, Nikon’s autofocus is assisted by a silent wave motor that executes a noiseless operation while retaining accurate speed to focus continually alongside manual override.
- The maximum aperture lies at f/1.8 for super-sharp captures in low light conditions. The aperture opens wide enough to take in adequate light waves with its near-circular 7-blade diaphragm for night conditions.
- Shoot stars and galaxies with a 40-degree frame or rejoice indoor and outdoor night parties with grain-free results right away with Nikon 50mm.
Pros
- Delivers an awesome background blur in daylight and night modes
- f/1.8D aperture produces adequately lit photographs at night
- Efficient AF for compatible mounts
- Handy and affordable
Cons
- The prime lens doesn’t fit for wide-angle photographs
- Autofocus is not compatible with Nikon D3500
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9. Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm F1.8G Fixed Lens
A prime lens with a telephoto range is the best piece one gets to buy. Nikon AF S 85mm is an ideal prime lens for portraits and telephoto. It comprises a fixed focal length and extreme aperture options to get the job done in pitch darkness with perfectness.
Features
- F/1.8 captures night-time pictures with immense sharpness and without motion blurs quite effectively.
- A 7-blade circular diaphragm does it all in low-light conditions to capture maximum available light with low shutter speeds.
- In daylight conditions, enclose the aperture diaphragm to f/16 and get a sharp and appropriate close-up photo, not allowing bright light to ruin the shot.
- Autofocus is provided by a brisk and noiseless Silent Wave Motor. You can always override the AF mode with a full-time manual focusing when making videos or photos by rotating the lens ring.
- There’s an M/F switch to the sides for a hassle-free rotation between both modes.
- The lens elements reduce chromatic and axial aberrations, leaving the coma effect to naught after the image is fully processed.
- Also, a large 67mm filter does all the color enhancements and light concentrations with your photo when needed.
- For telephoto captures, the minimum focus range is kept at 0.2m from the captured object for lens blurs and deep focus.
Pros
- Ultrasonic focusing and image stabilization for fast-moving objects.
- F/1.8 aperture shoot crystal clear night images
- Affordable lens for telephoto
- 67mm filters included
- Lightweight
Cons
- Nikon 85mm does not support zoom and landscape photography
- The lens may not fully support certain camera models
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10. Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm F2.8G Macro Lens
Nikon AF-S 40mm is a must-have lens for macro photography. The lens is made especially to capture tiny insects and floral subjects. The lens features stunning support for high-end graphics with amazing contrasts.
The minimum focusing distance is kept at 0.53ft from the subject, which means there are a lot of opportunities for amateurs as well as professional photographers to shoot perfectly at all lengths and modes.
Features
- The photo creation ratio is life-sized i.e., 1.0x to infinity. Also, the AF can be sharpened to 64in lengths.
- For accurate autofocus, the SWM detects moving objects with a multi-stop procedure so that the moment gets captured without unwanted blurs.
- Close-range correction refines fast-moving subjects meticulously with its reproduction algorithm.
- Nikon Micro-Nikkor 40mm includes 9 elements in 7 groups for image enhancements in daylight and to assist in sharpening the bokeh effects.
- At night, f/2.8 aperture exposes the 7-blade diaphragm to maximum possible light so that a night mode photograph does not require the flash mode.
- Apart from macro photography, Nikon DX 40mm captures detailed portraits and group photos with its 38.5-degree viewing angle.
Pros
- Specialized lens for macro photography
- The maximum reproduction rate is 1.0x
- Lightweight and highly portable
- Dust- and waterproof lens body
Cons
- The lens’s viewing angle is not fit for landscapes and telephoto range
- Non-zoomable lens
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11. Tamron Auto Focus 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 Macro Zoom Lens
Tamron’s highly advanced macro lens with impeccable zoom and sharpness works with all the Nikon’s APS-C cameras including Nikon D3500.
The lens is built with sophisticated layered elements and dedicated construction for conveniently zooming in and out without getting light to disperse from the shooting frame.
Features
- The phenomenal design is backed with a lightweight build and powerful ergonomics. Unlike other macro lenses, this one’s a bit lighter on the purse and travel bag.
- The closest focus range is 3.1ft from the object with deep lens blurs in both videography and still images.
- The tightly packed pixels and numerous lens elements make every shot your best one with Tamron’s 70-300mm digitally integrated lens.
- For close-up shots, Tamron’s 1:2 zooming capacity does wonders in singling out all the colors and then distributing it to sharpen the results.
- ED elements cancel out chromatic and axial aberrations for color perceptiveness.
- Also, the aspherical elements tweak spherical interferences from photos and distribute graphics strength throughout the plane.
- Tamron 70-300mm is feasible when capturing at night, all hail to its wide aperture range from f/4-5.6 including multiple stops for varying light conditions.
- The manual focus overrides AF throughout the zoom range when mounted on Nikon DSLRs. Get the best results in portraits, landscapes, and macro modes with Tamron 70-300mm. It’s an all-in-one tool to get things right for your photography experience.
Pros
- Includes dedicated glass elements for image enhancements
- Includes lens hood to avoid direct light exposure
- A great pick for macro photography
- 1:2 magnification ratio
Cons
- Maximum aperture don’t get nicely in night modes
- Only works with a few mounting systems
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12. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm F4.5-5.6G Telephoto Lens
The best Nikon D3500 lens for the ultra-telephoto range, Nikon AF-S offers a wide scope and perspective to fill the pot with a multipurpose photography experience.
From a wide viewing angle to long shooting ranges, everything is perfect for all-purpose photography inside Nikon 55-300mm. Besides, Nikon AF-S DX provides multi-stop image stabilization along with fast autofocusing modes.
Features
- The details are impressive for a zoom camera at all focal lengths. F/4.5-5.6G aperture assists in worry-free nighttime capturing, and the lens elements help create rich color combinations in portrait and macro modes.
- For close-up shooting, the minimum focusing distance is kept at 4.6ft, which delivers stunning insect-shots in all lighting conditions.
- There are 2 Extra-Low dispersion elements for aberration control and coma reduction. The SIC coating helps greatly in minimizing ghosting effects and direct-light flares.
- For AF, there’s a dedicated silent wave motor with gyro sensors and a 3-stop VR to get your shots worth a gaze in handheld shooting modes.
- A high refractive index lens element is specially dedicated to compensating field curvature and various spherical aberrations, hence increasing your lens performance and adding life to a dull subject.
- Nikon AF-S 55-300mm works flawlessly with all the DX cameras. For FX cameras, the lens capture photos in DX-crop modes.
Pros
- ED and HRI elements dexterously reprocess images at all focal lengths
- Exclusive Nikon technology for low-light shoots
- Includes 3-stop VR II image stabilization
- Quick SWM gives precise autofocusing
Cons
- Wide-angle shooting not compatible with Nikon 55-300mm
- The lens is bulky in size
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13. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm F5.6E Telephoto Zoom Lens
Nikon AF-S 200-500mm ultra-telephoto lens is a versatile and spacious lens for FX-type camera mounts.
The specifications and functionalities are beyond comprehension such as graphics strength, zoom range, and image enhancements.
With its longest focal length and tack-sharp image reproduction, Nikon 200-500mm surpasses all the contemporary lenses in speed, quality, and projection.
With a mid-range D3500 DSLR, Nikon’s 200-500mm ultra-telephoto lens is a wonderful and budgeted selection to go for.
Features
- The lens includes a super-silent SWM for autofocusing with multiple sensors and image sharpening tools.
- AF tracks down photos impeccably at all the focal lengths with extreme accuracy.
- For balance, Nikkor 200-500mm features a flawlessly built VR with 4.5 stops for all-embracing subject stabilization. Even at the farthest focal lengths, the VR works perfectly to maintain the subject's accuracy.
- The night photography is supported with diverse shutter speed support and a beautifully designed aperture.
- F/5.6E maximum aperture is structured with a 7-blade diaphragm for stunning nighttime portraits and for vibrant bokeh effect photos in the daytime.
- For nearer photographs, Nikon 200-500mm allows close-up macro shots with up to 7.2ft focusing range.
- Nikon 200-500mm telephoto lens is a complete recipe for wildlife professionals and sports photographers.
Pros
- Apt for long-range action video recording and still photography
- Nikon 200-500mm supports massive zoom options
- 4.5-stop VR image stabilization technology
- Fast SWM-supported autofocusing
Cons
- Does not supports wide-angle and portrait photography
- Too heavy to carry around
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Conclusion
The right choice isn’t always an expensive one. When selecting the best lens for your DSLR, consider its shooting compatibility and purpose of photography before giving it a green light.
A zoom lens will not fulfill your landscape photography needs. Likewise, a hefty and expensive telephoto lens won’t be a sensible selection for wanderers.
Beware of the lens’s aperture range, shutter stops, and autofocus when narrowing down the best one for an upgrade. For beginners, zoom lenses are preferred to test on a wide scale. For professionals, prime lenses are way better than zoom and telephoto kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nikon D3500 is made to fit most zoom lenses and several specialty lenses, including Nikon’s propriety Nikkor FX, AFS, DX lenses. Nikon D3500 is also fully compatible with Tamron and Sigma lenses.
Though Nikon does not support built-in stabilization, many of its supported lenses have integrated image stabilization modes for reducing motion blurs in high-speed photography.
Nikon D3500 works great with several high-end lenses that support stunning photography in night modes. Tweaking with aperture settings and shutter speeds, there’s always an appropriate lens that shoots awesome galaxy pictures. Nikon D3500 is a sensible pick if you are into astrophotography.
YES, Nikon’s supported lenses capture stunning pictures at low lighting conditions. Play around with the manual settings and get spectacular star-studded photos and night portraits with your Nikon D3500.
Nikon D3500 was originally designed for beginners with its affordable price tag and wide-ranging compatibility with multiple lenses. If you are a beginner, Nikon D3500 is the right choice.