Nikon D3500 Microphone Options Explained

The Nikon D3500 does not have a 3.5mm mic jack. There is no audio input.

The D3500 has a built-in mono microphone. The mic will struggle with echos, background noises, and the sound of autofocus motors.

Audio quality will be good enough to use to sync audio from an external recorder. Any video editor will be able to sync audio tracks.

Wider focal length lenses are more useful for video. There are many affordable lenses for the Nikon D3500.

Does the Nikon D3500 record audio?

Yes, the built-in Nikon D3500 microphone records audio when shooting.

The microphone is mono, not stereo. Quality will not be great. It will pick up wind noise outside or echos when used indoors.

An external microphone can greatly improve the audio quality of the D3500.

Can the Nikon D3500 use an external mic?

The Nikon D3500 can not directly use a microphone with a 3.5mm jack.

An external microphone can be used with a dedicated audio recorder. Those can include XLR ports or wireless microphones.

Then the additional audio tracks can be synced during editing.

Can a XLR microphone be used?

No, there is no way to use an XLR microphone directly with the Nikon D3500.

An external recorder like a Zoom H1n or Tascam DR-40X can be used to record audio. Tracks can then by synced during post production.

Can headphones be used on the Nikon D3500?

No, the Nikon D3500 does not have a headphone jack. There is no way to monitor the audio being recorded.

Does the Nikon D3500 have a speaker?

Yes, the Nikon D3500 has a mono speaker. It can be used to listen to audio during playback of a video.

Video can quickly use of storage space, but there are cheap compatible SD cards for the Nikon D3500 available.

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External Mics for the Nikon D3500

An external microphone will need to be used with a stand alone audio recorder.

Examples would be a Tascam DR-40X or Zoom H1n. Though, they are a little expensive compared to the D3500.

Zoom F2 Field Recorder

• What I use
• LMF-2 Lavalier Microphone
• 2x AAA batteries
• Bluetooth app for phone

I’ve used a Zoom F2-BT for several years. I got it before wireless microphones with internal recording became cheap.

The BT is the version with Bluetooth. I don’t use the app. I just turn it on and hit record.

It uses two easily replaceable AAA batteries. I like that point of failure being removed.

USB-C rechargeable AAA batteries have worked for me.

I don’t use any of the Bluetooth features. The battery door tab was a pain to open until it broke.

Wireless Mics for the Nikon D3500

These wireless microphones are capable of internal recording.

Their audio quality will be noticeably better than the Nikon D3500’s built-in microphone.

DJI Mic Mini

• Noise cancelling
• Ultralight
• 48hr battery life

Rode Wireless GO II

• Can be used with a lavaliere or headset microphone
• Transmitter and receiver weigh 31g
• Up to 70m range
• 7 hours of battery life