Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic G9

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Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic G9

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G9.
Compare Panasonic G9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G9 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600
Compare Nikon D5600 vs Panasonic G9

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Panasonic G9

Less expensive
$697 vs $1498
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 400 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
70 mm vs 91 mm
Thinner
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic G9 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
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.83x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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

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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G9 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

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

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Buy the Panasonic G9

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens

All G9 Deals

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

Great build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Excellent performance; Fast shooting speeds; 4K/60p video.
No phase-detection autofocus; 10-minute limit for 4k60p video clips; No V-Log or 10-bit video.
Read our Panasonic G9 Review

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

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-S1

Panasonic G9

Pentax K-S1

$1065
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Pentax K-S1

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

Panasonic G9

Nikon D3400

$1065
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 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

Panasonic G9

Nikon D5600

$1065
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Nikon D5500

Panasonic GH5

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1348
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

$1065
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon D5500

Panasonic G95

$697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G9

Panasonic G95

$1065
4/3

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic G95

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