• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 22.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III
  • Nikon D5500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon 5D Mark II
5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
Nikon D5300
D5300 vs D5500
Successor: Canon 5D Mark IV
5D Mark III vs 5D Mark IV
Nikon D5600
D5500 vs D5600
General
Model Number: 5D Mark III D5500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $3500.00 $999.95
Street Price: $2,079.48 $696.95
Date Available: 2012-03-20 2015-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 33.5 oz (950 g)
includes batteries
23.6 oz (668 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.0 x 4.6 x 3.0 in.
(152 x 116 x 76 mm)
4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(124 x 97 x 70 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon Sony
Effective Megapixels: 22.3 24.2
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 864mm2 (36.00mm x 24.00mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 6.25 microns 3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 81 84
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.0 24.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.7 14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,293 1,438
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 5760 x 3840 (22.1 MP, 3:2),
3840 x 2560 (9.8 MP, 3:2),
2880 x 1920 (5.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
720 x 480 (0.3 MP, 3:2)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
4496 x 3000 (13.5 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF v2.3), RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2 JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.0 4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x424 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF Nikon F
Lens: n/a Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.05x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T); 7-blade (rounded) aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values:   n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Phase Detect : 61-point (up to 41 cross-type points); One to five cross-type AF points at f/2.8, 10 to 20 cross-type AF points at f/4, and 15 to 21 cross-type AF points at f/5.6. OVF: 39-point (9 cross type) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 4800 DX; Live View: Contrast detect with Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter, fixed focusing screen, on demand grid SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x mag., 17mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter, Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen; Eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.71x 0.55x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.71x 0.82x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 1,044,000 dots (348,000 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100-25600 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps, expandable to 50 (L), 51200 (H1) and 102400 (H2) Auto, 100 - 25600 in steps of 1/3 EV
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temperature Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual; all except Preset Manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 63-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (center, 7.2%), Spot (center, 1.5%) 2016-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (2.5% of frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: n/a Scene Modes: Autumn Colors, Beach/Snow, Blossom, Candlelight, Child, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Food, Landscape, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects Mode (Night Vision, Super Vivid, Pop, Photo Illustration, Toy Camera, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, Silhouette, High Key, Low Key), HDR
Self Timer: 2, 10 seconds 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s; 1 to 9 exposures seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800 as master
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent; Approx. 39/12 (ft/m, ISO 100, 68F/20C)
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: No UHS support UHS-I
Other Memory: UDMA7 compliant UHS-I compliant
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, M-RAW (10.5MP), S-RAW (5.5MP); 14-bit CR2 RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: .MOV (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264), ALL-I and IPB modes MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wired or Wireless Via Wi-Fi or optional ML-L3, WR-1, WR-T10/ WR-R10 or MC-DC2 remote cord
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C), Remote Jack, Stereo Mic Jack, Stereo Monitor Jack, PC-Sync Terminal Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit), 3.5mm stereo mic jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.42
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): <0.3 0.41
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.0 4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 63 100
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 6.0 4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18 7
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 6.0 3.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 7 5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.12 seconds 0.20 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.78 seconds 0.86 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.060 seconds 0.280 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.095 seconds 0.100 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.23 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.061 seconds 0.079 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Optical Viewfinder: Full AF shutter lag, wide-area mode: 0.142s Live View: Full AF shutter lag, phase-detect: 0.823s Full AF shutter lag, contrast-detect: 0.780s Prefocused: 0.060  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   1.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 200 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 820 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary LP-E6 Proprietary EL14a
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion Rechargeable or BG-E11 battery grip Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary LP-E6 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EL14a Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Canon EOS Digital Solution Disc Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New 22.3-megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC 5+ Processor, 61-point AF System, 63-zone iFCL Metering System, 6fps Bursts, Full HD video, 100% OVF, 3.2" 1.04M-dot LCD, Dual Card Slots (SD+CF), HDR Mode, Multiple Exposure Support, Scene Intelligent Auto, Comparative Playback, Dual-Axis Electronic Level, Auto Lighting Optimizer, In-Camera RAW Processing. Available in black or red, in two different kit configurations: with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens or the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.