niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

So I guess we've answered the OP's original question as to why would anybody buy one. They produce quality output without all the bells and whistles at a *very* low price point. (BTW, post me a link to that $140 D3500... might grab that.)

24Megapixseal Loc: Kansas

I love how your articulated MY EXACT PERSONALITY... I was the same at my work in aircraft for 40 years... I studied the BACs, and as a mechanic, I've schooled a few quality inspectors... And I listened intently to all the engineers to learn more than a mechanic should know...and when I became a quality inspector, I taught mechanic how to be better mechanic... And I had the respect all mechanics, other inspectors AND the engineers...

And maybe that why I get such satisfaction of producing GREAT photos with the lowly D3500... And most of my conversations with random photographers while hiking trails or at a birding sanctuary, I'm convinced that only about 25% know "photography"...
But boy do they have deep pockets, spending $1000s and $1000s on the "latest, newest, most highly teched" gear... But looking at their photos on the back of their cameras, it's pretty pathetic and then I show them mine and they say "wow, super nice shot"... And we're in the same places, shooting the same thing....

It's NOT hard AT ALL to take GREAT photos with a D3XXX camera... My D3500 has one wheel, but it isn't hard to quickly make changes necessary for even fast action BIF shots.... I began with a D70s when it first came out, then a D200 for many more years, and now the D3500 just 3 years ago (wanted lighter for hiking)... I quickly adapted to one wheel, probably because I knew what needed to be done to get the photo... And I simply DID IT... I quickly got VERY FAST at making the needed adjustments..

Bottom line, it ain't ALL about the gear.... Probably around 20% gear, and 80% the nut behind the camera...and I often recommend D3XXX cameras to people starting out in photography... Then it up to them if they REALLY want to learn photography, or they just THOUGHT they wanted to become a photographer...you have to learn the basics and not rely on technology to do EVERYTHING, and expect great photos.

On of my favorite sayings is: Convenience is disease that society is addicted to... It weakens our minds and our bodies...

This carries over into many aspects of life and hobbies!

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

The only problem I have with the 3000 and it would be the same with 5000, is the settings and meter readout in the viewfinder can be hard to read in bright daylight. The small pentamirror viewfinder also makes it hard to manually focus, so you have to make the most of the limited AF points. I do like that these models take my oldest pre-Ai lenses.

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

I bought a D3500 bundle (18-55 VR, 55-300 Non VR), but returned it; the Ad showed both lenses with VR. That was an issue because the D3XXX & 5XXX have No VR in the body, so VR lenses are needed for stable zoom reach.
I upgraded to a D5300, Nikon 35mm prime & 55-200 VR, & a Tamron 18-400 VR.
I Rarely shoot in AUTO mode; I use A, S, or P mode, depending upon the scene or desired effect. There was a learning curve jumping from SLR to DSLR and the D3XXX & D5XXX are menu driven for adjustments, which can be irritating.
For a light, APSC sensor 24MP camera, the results you can achieve, with some skill, are quite impressive!

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ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

My d3400 with the right lenses produces excellent results even with only one wheel.

Starman441 Loc: Iguana Land, Fl.

Exactly. My D5300 is practically the same as the D3400; just a few extra gizmos!