• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Nikon D7500

  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lighter weight
    668g vs 1197g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Nikon D7500 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    51 vs 39
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.2 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    47 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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 Nikon D7500

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.

  • New carbon fiber body is light, compact and very comfortable; Same excellent image quality as the flagship D500; Quick 8.2 frames per second burst shooting with generous buffer; Very fast, accurate autofocus; Tilting touch-screen display; Very good battery life; Records ultra high-def 4K and 60fps Full HD too.

  • Only a single flash card slot; Doesn't support portrait / battery grip accessories; No rear infrared receiver any more; non-CPU AI lenses will be manual only; 4K video comes with a heavy crop; Movie AF is prone to hunting, Extended ISO sensitivities are a gimmick.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7200

Nikon D5500
Nikon D7200
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon D7500
Nikon D7200
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

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
Nikon D7500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon 80D

Nikon D5500
Canon 80D
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon D7500
Canon 80D
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC

Compared to Pentax K-70

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-70
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D7500
Pentax K-70
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Nikon D7500
Nikon D3400
  • $897
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
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