Nikon D5500 vs Canon SX530 HS

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Nikon D5500 vs Canon SX530 HS

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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.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.0 megapixels
24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX530 HS Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600

Succeeded by the Canon SX540 HS
Compare SX530 HS vs SX540 HS

Compare NIKON D5600 vs CANON SX540 HS

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Canon SX530 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

820 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
70 mm vs 91 mm
Thinner
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
Higher-res screen
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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
Faster JPEG shooting
4.9 fps vs 1.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX530 HS advantages over Nikon D5500

Less expensive
$259* vs $697
Save money for lenses or accessories
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

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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5500 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)
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Kit with 18-140mm lens (Red)
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Kit with 18-55mm lens (Red)

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Buy the Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX530

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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

We haven’t reviewed the Canon SX530 HS.
Read our Canon SX530 HS Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX520 HS

Nikon D5500

Canon SX520 HS

$697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$345
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Canon SX520 HS

Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX520 HS

$259
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More telephoto lens reach

$345
1/2.3 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SX530 HS vs Canon SX520 HS

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 SX530 HS

Pentax K-S1

$259
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Canon SX540 HS

Nikon D5500

Canon SX540 HS

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$364
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Canon SX540 HS

Canon SX530 HS

Canon SX540 HS

$259
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive

$364
1/2.3 inch

More pixels
Shoots 60p video

Compare Canon SX530 HS vs Canon SX540 HS

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 SX530 HS

Nikon D3400

$259
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SX530 HS 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 SX530 HS

Nikon D5600

$259
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX530 HS vs Nikon D5600

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