• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 47.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Leica Q2

  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $5198*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    70 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Leica Q2 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.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    47.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/40000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

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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 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 Q2
Pentax K-S1
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compared to Leica Q

Nikon D5500
Leica Q
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica Q2
Leica Q
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Leica Q2
Nikon D3400
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
Leica Q2
Nikon D5600
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Nikon D5500
Zeiss ZX1
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Internal flash
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Leica Q2
Zeiss ZX1
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
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