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The Nikon D3500 doesn’t have an external microphone input. It’s a beginner-level DSLR camera from Nikon. So you won’t be able to use any fancy directional or collar microphone with the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera for recording videos.
As a result, you’ll have to rely on the built-in microphone of the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera. However, a microphone input is a port where the microphone jack goes and it makes video recording even better.
You can check out the Nikon D5*** or the D7*** series — Nikon D5300 and Nikon D7500 are the most popular cameras in both series.
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Does the Nikon D3500 Have a Built-in Microphone?
The Nikon D3500 does have a built-in microphone for recording videos. Even though built-in microphones can’t be as good as external microphones, you can still use the built-in microphone.
It’s a DSLR camera for beginner-level photography. Since it’s a budget camera, it won’t be fair to expect all of the features in the same camera, but it’s the best value for money.
Nikon D3500
- 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
- AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens
- Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
- Built-in pop-up flash
- 100-25600; 5 fps Shooting
Can You Attach a Microphone to Nikon D3500 With a USB Cable?
I came across dozens of websites where people were asking about attaching external microphones to the Nikon D3500.
A staff member from Nikon replied to the comment on BestBuy. He explained that the Nikon D3500 doesn’t have a microphone input, so it’s not possible to attach a microphone through any cable.
However, he talked about a compatible USB cable for Nikon D3500, which is the UC-E20 Micro USB Cable and can be used to transfer images to a computer.
Can You Vlog With a Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera?
You can vlog on the Nikon D3500 or make videos with it, but you won’t be able to use the microphone. Let me elaborate: The Nikon D3500 is a beginner-level photography camera, but you can still make videos with it.
If you’re curious about vlogging with the Nikon D3500, then let me share that you can use the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera for vlogging, but you have to rely on the built-in microphone. The Nikon D3500 DSLR camera doesn’t have an external microphone input.
- Brand: Rode
- Connectivity Technology: USB
- Type: Shotgun
- Compatible Devices: Camera
- Color: Black
- Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
You probably know that built-in microphones can’t be as good as external microphones. It’s a bummer that you can’t attach an external microphone to Nikon D3500. So vlogging on Nikon D3500 won’t be a great experience.
So that answers that query.
However, before you leave this blog post, you should take a look at the Nikon D3500 specifications.
Nikon D3500: Specifications
| Sensor | 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 4 Image Processor |
| Kit Lens | AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens |
| ISO | 100-25600; 5 fps Shooting |
| LCD Monitor | Rear 3.0″ 921k-Dot |
| Video Recording | Full HD 1080p at 60 fps |
| AF System | 11-Point autofocus system |
| Bluetooth | SnapBridge Connectivity |
| Battery | EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery |
| Flash | Built-in pop-up flash |
| In-Camera Image Editing | Yes |
| Active D-Lighting | Yes |
| Software Languages | English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish |
Looking for a fantastic beginner’s camera?
Nikon D3500 is a 24.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor DSLR digital camera with AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm VR kit lens. It records full HD 1080p videos at 60 fps.
FAQs About Nikon D3500 and External Microphone Compatibility
Here we go:
Does the Nikon D3500 have an External Mic Jack?
The Nikon D3500 DSLR camera does not have an external mic input. The DSLR microphone jack goes into the microphone port or input. So yeah, the Nikon D3500 camera doesn’t have an external mic input to insert a microphone jack.
Can I Live Stream With My Nikon D3500?
You sure can, but let me remind you that the Nikon D3500 doesn’t have an external microphone input, which means you can’t connect a microphone to improve the audio quality. You would have to rely on the built-in microphone.
Can You Record on Nikon D3500?
Yes, you can record videos on the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera. It’s a good low-range DSLR camera for beginners.
Can You Use an External Mic on a Nikon D5300?
As mentioned above, Nikon included the external mic feature in the Nikon D5*** and D7*** series. It means the Nikon D5300 does have an external microphone input. I have personally used the Nikon D5300 DSLR camera for quite some time, and it’s a good one.
Does the Nikon D5300 have a Mic Input?
Yes, the Nikon D5300 does have a mic input. It’s one of the best mic-ranga DSLR cameras out there.
Can You Connect a Microphone to a Nikon Camera?
Of course, you can connect a microphone to several DSLR cameras from Nikon, especially look out for the Nikon D5*** and Nikon D7*** dslr camera series, for instance, Nikon D5300, Nikon D5600, and Nikon D7500.
Hassaan is a blogger and YouTuber. He loves to make YouTube videos, discover new video ideas, and try out new camera gear equipment. If he isn’t making videos or writing camera gear articles, then he is probably playing with his dog.