• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Leica M10

  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $7995*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Leica M10 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.05 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    30 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M10

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 Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-S1
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica M10
Pentax K-S1
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Nikon D5500
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica M10
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Longer exposure
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Nikon D5500
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Leica M10
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Leica M10
Nikon D3400
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
Leica M10
Nikon D5600
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
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