Nikon D5500 vs Canon 5DS R

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Nikon D5500 vs Canon 5DS R

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5500.
Compare Nikon D5500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5500 conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
50.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5DS R Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5DS R in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5DS R.
Compare Canon 5DS R image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5DS R conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600
Compare Nikon D5600 vs Canon 5DS R

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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

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5500 test data on DxO Mark 5DS R test data on DxO Mark

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

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5DS R test data on DxO Mark D5500 test data on DxO Mark

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 5DS R User Reviews

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Kit with 18-140mm lens (Red)
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Kit with 18-55mm lens (Red)

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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.
Read our Nikon D5500 Review

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.
Read our Canon 5DS R Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S1

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-S1

Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-S1

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Canon 5DS

Nikon D5500

Canon 5DS

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1299
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Canon 5DS

Canon 5DS R

Canon 5DS

$1499
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1299
35mm

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-1

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1

$1499
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D3400

Canon 5DS R

Nikon D3400

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500

Nikon D5600

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$898
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D5600

Canon 5DS R

Nikon D5600

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$898
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5DS R vs Nikon D5600

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