• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 350 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    487g vs 668g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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

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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

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-S1
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-S1

Olympus E-PL8
Pentax K-S1
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon D5500
Panasonic GX85
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GX85
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D3400

Olympus E-PL8
Nikon D3400
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D5600

Olympus E-PL8
Nikon D5600
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Nikon D5500
Olympus E-PL9
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-PL9

Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL9
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PL9

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