Best Camera Lens for Nikon D3500

I loved to explore the best camera lens for Nikon D3500, one of the greatest entry-level DSLRs for beginners in recent years. The beginner will appreciate this camera’s many shooting modes, full HD movie recording, handy back LCD screen, and more. Nikon DSLR lenses are still plentiful, which is wonderful.

Naturally, lenses are expensive, but in the spirit of the D3500 as a premium camera on a budget, I have chosen optics I know you’ll like at prices that offer great value.

I chose the best Nikon D3500 lenses for quality and pricing. Nikon makes great lenses for its camera bodies, which is why so many of them are on this list. Nikon lenses are among the best due to their long history. Some third-party lenses are fantastic, too!

Quick list of the best camera lens for Nikon D3500

here is a quick list of the best Lens for Nikon D3500.

1. Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G
2. Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR
3. Nikon AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8G Micro
4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR
5. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM
6. Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR
7. Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
8. Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR
9. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

Detailed analysis of the best camera lens for Nikon D3500

Here is a detailed analysis of the best Lens for Nikon D3500.

1- Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G

• The Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G lens has an aperture maximum of f/1.8.
• Its greatest magnification capability is typically approximately 0.16x, allowing for good close-up work.
• This lens’s filter size is commonly 52mm, making it compatible with a wide range of filters.
• However, it should be noted that the Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G is not weather-sealed.

Brand	Nikon.
Type	Standard lens.
Lens format coverage	APS-C.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F.
Image Stabilization	No vibration reduction.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	8 elements in 6 groups.
Minimum focus distance	30 cm.
Weight	200 g.
Adjustment	Silent wave motor, AF system.

Reasons to buy:

• Small size.
• Inexpensive.
• Good overall performance.

Reasons to avoid:

• No focus distance scale.
• Average wide/narrow aperture sharpness.
• Bokeh is rough.

2- Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR

• The maximum aperture of the Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR lens is variable, ranging from f/4.5 at 70mm to f/6.3 at 300mm.
• Typically, the maximum magnification is around 0.22x.
• This lens’s filter size is typically 58mm, allowing for the use of a variety of filters.
• It should be noted, however, that the Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR is not weather-sealed.

Brand	Nikon.
Type	Telephoto lens.
Lens format coverage	DX format.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F.
Image Stabilization	The lens has vibration reduction.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	14 elements in 10 groups.
Minimum focus distance	1.1 m.
Weight	415 g.
Adjustment	Stepping motor controls autofocus; separate focus ring for manual focus. Pulse Motor (AF-P).

Reasons to buy:

• Fast, internal autofocusing.
• Four vibration reduction stops.

Reasons to avoid:

• Chromatic aberrations.
• It’s not the lightest lens.

3- Nikon AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8G Micro

• The Nikon AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8G Micro lens has an aperture maximum of f/2.8.
• This lens has a maximum magnification of 1:1.
• The lens’s filter size is 52mm.
• It should be noted, however, that the Nikon AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8G Micro is not weather-sealed.

Brand	Nikon.
Type	Standard lens.
Lens format coverage	DX format.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F (DX).
Image Stabilization	No vibration reduction.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 baldes.
Lens construction	9 elements in 7 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.16 m.
Weight	235 g.
Adjustment	Silent wave motor, Autofocus.

Reasons to buy:

• Small and light.
• Good multipurpose lens.

Reasons to avoid:

• Short work distance.
• No stabilization.

4- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR

• The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR lens has a variable maximum aperture that ranges from f/2.8 to f/4.
• The filter size for this lens is 72mm, allowing for the employment of a range of filters for artistic or protective purposes.
• Furthermore, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR has weather sealing, which provides increased protection against dust and moisture and makes it more resilient in demanding climatic circumstances.
• Nonstick protective fluorine coatings on the glass repel water, dirt, and smudges.

Brand	Nikon.
Type	Wide-angle lens.
Lens format coverage	DX format.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F.
Image Stabilization	The lens has vibration reduction.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	17 elements in 13 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.35 m.
Weight	480 g.
Adjustment	Silent wave motor.

Reasons to buy:

• Ergonomics compact.
• Sharp, clear images.

Reasons to avoid:

• A bit more costly.
• No weatherproofing.

5- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM

• The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens features a fixed maximum aperture of f/1.4, making it ideal for low-light situations and creating creative effects with a small depth of field.
• The highest magnification is 1:5.6.
• The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM has a 77mm filter size.
• However, it is crucial to note that this lens is not weather-sealed, so use caution in inclement weather to avoid potential lens damage.

Brand	Sigma.
Type	Standard lens.
Lens format coverage	APS-C.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades.
Lens construction	13 elements in 8 groups.
Minimum focus distance	40 cm.
Weight	815 g.
Adjustment	Ring-type ultrasonic AF motor with full-time manual focusing. Motor Hyper Sonic AF.

Reasons to buy:

• Excellent image quality.
• Excellent flare resistance.
• Fast, silent autofocus.
• Excellent construction and design.
• Very nice bokeh.

Reasons to avoid:

• Pricey for a general-purpose lens.
• Not waterproof.

6- Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR

• The maximum aperture of the Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR lens is variable, ranging from f/3.5 at 18mm to f/6.3 at 300mm.
• The maximum magnification available is 0.32x.
• The Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR has a filter size of 67mm.
• This lens is weather-sealed.

Brand	Nikon.
Type	Telephoto lens.
Lens format coverage	DX format.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F (DX).
Image Stabilization	The lens has vibration reduction.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	16 elements in 12 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.48 m.
Weight	550 g.
Adjustment	Silent wave autofocus motor.

Reasons to buy:

• Weather-seal ring on a mounting plate.
• Solid build.

Reasons to avoid:

• No focus distance scale.
• The hood is not included.

7- Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD

• The maximum aperture of the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD lens is variable, ranging from f/3.5 at 10mm to f/4.5 at 24mm.
• The highest magnification is
• The Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD has a 77mm filter size.
• This lens is a weatherproof construction that is resistant to moisture.
• The fluorine coating on the lens surface repels water and grease.

Brand	Tamron.
Type	Wide-angle lens.
Lens format coverage	Full-frame.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F.
Image Stabilization	The lens has image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	16 elements in 11 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.24 m.
Weight	440 g.
Adjustment	Autofocus, manual focus override.

Reasons to buy:

• Ideal D3500 wide-angle focal length.
• Excellent image quality
• Small, light design

Reasons to avoid:

• Poor portrait photographer.
• Shallow depth of field photo is limited by f/3.5-4.5 max aperture.

8- Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR

• The maximum aperture of the Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens is variable, ranging from f/4.5 at 10mm to f/5.6 at 20mm.
• The Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR has a 72mm filter size.
• However, it is crucial to note that this lens is not weather-sealed, so use caution in inclement weather to avoid potential lens damage.

Brand	Nikon.
Type	Wide-angle lens.
Lens format coverage	DX format.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F (DX).
Image Stabilization	The lens has vibration reduction.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	14 elements in 11 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.22 m.
Weight	230 g.
Adjustment	An autofocus stepping motor.

Reasons to buy:

• The design is both compact and lightweight.
• Vibration Reduction is included.

Reasons to avoid:

• Mounting plate made of plastic.
• There is no focus distance scale.

9- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

• The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G lens has a fixed maximum aperture of f/1.8.
• The maximum magnification is 0.15x.
• The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G has a filter size of 58mm.
• Between the mounting plate and the lens body is a weather-sealing gasket.

Brand	Nikon.
Type	Standard lens.
Lens format coverage	in both DX and FX formats.
Compatible Mounting	Nikon F (FX).
Image Stabilization	No vibration reduction.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	7 elements in 6 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.45 m.
Weight	185 g.
Adjustment	Exclusive Nikon silent wave motor, new optical system with aspherical lens element

Reasons to buy:

• A fantastically broad aperture.
• Lightweight and small in a satisfying way.

Reasons to avoid:

• A little color fringing.
• When shooting wide open, the edges are soft.

What to look for in the best Lens for Nikon D3500

1- Aperture

Prioritize lenses with a wide aperture range while looking for the best camera lens for Nikon D3500. The aperture, measured in f-stops (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8), regulates how much light enters the lens.

A larger aperture, such as f/1.8, does well in low-light circumstances and generates attractive background blur. A lens having a range, such as f/2.8 to f/4, provides versatility for general photography.

Consider compatibility with the Nikon D3500 as well as your shooting preferences. The finest lens for the Nikon D3500 is one that combines optical quality with an aperture that is appropriate for your creative needs and lighting circumstances.

2- Image stabilization

Prioritize image stabilization (IS) for clearer shots when looking for the best camera lens for Nikon D3500. Image stabilization compensates for camera shake, which is essential for handheld photography, particularly in low-light situations. Look for VR (Vibration Reduction) lenses, Nikon’s form of image stabilization.

This feature keeps your photographs crisp and stable, improving overall image quality. Having IS in the best lens for Nikon D3500 considerably improves your ability to capture clear and blur-free photographs, boosting your creative potential in various shooting conditions.

3- Zoom capability

Consider zoom capability while looking for the best camera lens for Nikon D3500 to broaden your creative range. Look for zoom lenses with a wide range of zoom, such as telephoto or normal zoom lenses. A lens with a wide focal length, measured in millimeters (mm), gives versatility for many photography circumstances.

Examine your shooting requirements, whether they are landscapes, portraits, or wildlife, and select the best lens for Nikon D3500 that complements your style with its zoom capabilities, providing both convenience and creative freedom.

4- Focal length

When looking for the best camera lens for Nikon D3500, the focal length is important for proper framing and composition. The focal length of a lens, measured in millimeters (mm), controls its field of view and magnification. Portraits and low-light photography benefit from prime lenses with fixed focal lengths, such as the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G.

Consider zoom lenses that cover a wide range, such as the Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm. Examine your photography style and needs, as the ideal lens for the Nikon D3500 will have a focal length that is appropriate for you, allowing you to produce amazing photographs in various genres and situations.

Best Lens for Nikon D3500 FAQs

What is the Nikon D3500 best used for?

The Nikon D3500 performs admirably in landscape photography. It performs reasonably well for an APS-C camera, with adequate dynamic range to capture more highlight and shadow information.

Is the Nikon D3500 Outdated?

The Nikon D3500 cannot be called obsolete because it still supports many lenses. However, Nikon stated in 2021 that the Nikon D3500 would be phased out of production. In general, this is due to the company’s shift away from DSLRs and toward making mirrorless cameras.

What is the best lens for portraits on the Nikon D3500?

The Nikon 50mm f/1.8G is the best portrait lens for the Nikon D3500. It has a wonderful focal length for portraiture (75mm equivalent on the D3500) and a wide maximum aperture of f/1.8, allowing you to capture shots with a lovely shallow depth of focus.

What lens can be used on the Nikon D3500?

Any Nikon F-mount lens can be used with the Nikon D3500. However, because the D3500 lacks a focus motor drive, some older lenses cannot use autofocus. If you want to utilize an older lens, check the Nikon compatibility chart to verify if autofocus is compatible with the D3500.

Conclusion

Finally, selecting the Best Camera Lens for the Nikon D3500 requires carefully balancing elements like aperture, zoom capability, and image stabilization. The suitable lens enhances your photographic adventure, whether you prefer various zoom ranges, large apertures for low light, or clear image stabilization.

Consider your personal tastes and shooting conditions when choosing a lens to suit the capabilities of your Nikon D3500, providing that each photo is a work of art in terms of clarity and creativity. Enhance your photography with the best camera lens for your Nikon D3500.

You can also explore my following guides for more information.

1- Best Nikon Lens for Wildlife Photography: For capturing the wild with precision and reach.

2- Best Nikon Lens for Wedding Photography: To capture Eternal moments, faultless focus, and beautiful details.

3- Best Nikon DX Lenses: Compact brilliance for DX-format imagination.

4- Best Nikon full-frame Lenses: For FX freedom and clarity.

Happy shooting!