• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Sigma fp

  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $1599
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/200 vs 1/30 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma fp advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.98 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    18.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    18.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    12 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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 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

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5500
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  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (Red)
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 45mm f/2.8 lens
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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
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-S1

Sigma fp
Pentax K-S1
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash

Compare Sigma fp 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

Sigma fp
Nikon D3400
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp 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

Sigma fp
Nikon D5600
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sigma fp vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Sony A7C

Nikon D5500
Sony A7C
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp
Sony A7C
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More dots on screen
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp vs Sony A7C

Compared to Sigma fp L

Nikon D5500
Sigma fp L
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Sigma fp L

Sigma fp
Sigma fp L
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sigma fp vs Sigma fp L

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