• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 750.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon SX700 HS advantages over Nikon D5500

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D5500 advantages over Canon SX700 HS

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX700 HS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

Review Excerpt

  • Amazingly small for a DSLR; Great image quality for its class, including superb low light and high ISO performance; Generous JPEG buffer depth; High resolution.

  • Buffer depths are shallow when shooting RAW; Lacks GPS from the predecessor; No AA filter means it's susceptible to aliasing artifacts.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Canon SX700 HS
Panasonic ZS40
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster shutter
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5500
Panasonic ZS40
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic ZS50

Canon SX700 HS
Panasonic ZS50
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5500
Panasonic ZS50
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Panasonic ZS60

Canon SX700 HS
Panasonic ZS60
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5500
Panasonic ZS60
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon SX700 HS
Nikon D3400
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compared to Nikon D5600

Canon SX700 HS
Nikon D5600
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
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