• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Panasonic TS7

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.55x vs 0.45x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic TS7 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Less expensive
    $448* vs $697
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic TS7

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
Panasonic TS7
Pentax K-S1
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D5500
Canon T6i
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
Panasonic TS7
Canon T6i
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic TS7
Pentax K-3 II
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Panasonic TS7
Nikon D3400
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
Panasonic TS7
Nikon D5600
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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