• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 361.2mm2
  • 25.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1,600,000

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $2344
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 30 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 III 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
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Newer
    4 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.05x 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
  • More AF points
    101 vs 39
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    1600000 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
  • 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
  • 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 Pentax K-3 III

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
Pentax K-3 III
Pentax K-S1
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Pentax K-3 III
Nikon D3400
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $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
Pentax K-3 III
Nikon D5600
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D5500
Pentax KP
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-3 III
Pentax KP
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon 90D

Nikon D5500
Canon 90D
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Pentax K-3 III
Canon 90D
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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