• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Canon 5DS R

  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $1499*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More dynamic range
    14.0 vs 12.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5DS R advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,308 vs 1,438 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 39
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    15 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.

  • AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS

Nikon D5500
Canon 5DS
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon 5DS R
Canon 5DS
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 5DS R
Pentax K-3 II
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-1
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Pentax K-1
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Canon 5DS R
Nikon D3400
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
Canon 5DS R
Nikon D5600
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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