Upgrade Guide
Nikon Coolpix P7800→Nikon D3500
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The D3500 improves across 4 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most Coolpix P7800 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the D3500
-
Resolution24MP vs 12MP (+12MP)
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Battery life~1550 shots (CIPA) vs ~350 shots (CIPA)
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Generation5 years newer (2018 vs 2013)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | Coolpix P7800 | D3500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.9 | ||
| Street | +0.2 | ||
| Travel | +0.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +2.3 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Documentary | +0.9 | ||
| Sports & Action | +1.1 | ||
| Landscape | +1.9 | ||
| Wildlife | +1.3 | ||
| Casual | +1.2 | ||
| Food | +0.6 | ||
| Macro | +1.0 | ||
| Architecture | +1.7 | ||
| Astrophotography | +2.3 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Coolpix P7800 | D3500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £110 used | |
| Released | 2013 | 2018 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 12.2MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 12MP | 24MP | ↑ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 | Full HD 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 99 manual areas, face detection and target tracking | 11-point phase-detect (1 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | |
| Stabilisation | Lens-shift VR (optical, in the lens) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 8fps | 5fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA) | ~1550 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 399g (with battery) | 415g (with battery) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 0.2", 921k dots | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.85x | |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 921k dots | |
| Mount | Fixed 7.1x Nikkor 28-200mm equivalent f/2-4 | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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See Coolpix P7800 and D3500 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D3500 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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