• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D5500
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A6500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D5300
D5300 vs D5500
Sony A6300
A6300 vs A6500
Successor: Nikon D5600
D5500 vs D5600
Sony A6600
A6500 vs A6600
General
Model Number: D5500 A6500
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-6500
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $999.95 $1299.99
Street Price: $696.95 $1,198.00
Date Available: 2015-02-15 2016-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.6 oz (668 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(124 x 97 x 70 mm)
4.7 x 2.6 x 2.1 in.
(120 x 67 x 53 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 24.2 24.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.92 microns 3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: None Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 84 85
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.1 24.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.0 13.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,438 1,405
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
4496 x 3000 (13.5 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (14-bit compressed ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 11.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x424 (30p/​25p)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4; Audio: LPCM, 2ch / Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony E
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.05x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T); 7-blade (rounded) aperture  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: OVF: 39-point (9 cross type) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 4800 DX; Live View: Contrast detect with Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF Hybrid Contrast/Phase Detection: Wide (425 points phase-detection AF, 169 points contrast-detection AF), Zone, Center, Flexible Spot (Small / Medium / Large), Expanded Flexible Spot
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x mag., 17mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter, Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen; Eye sensor EVF type; 1.0cm (0.39-inch) 2.3M-dot XGA OLED, 100% coverage, 1.07x mag. (0.70x 35mm eq.), 23mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,296 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.55x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.82x 1.07x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px) 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom:   16.7x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 25600 in steps of 1/3 EV Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600, expandable to 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual; all except Preset Manual with fine tuning Auto WB (with new Ambience, Standard and White options), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, Underwater; AWB micro adjustment
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 2016-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (2.5% of frame) 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes: Autumn Colors, Beach/Snow, Blossom, Candlelight, Child, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Food, Landscape, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects Mode (Night Vision, Super Vivid, Pop, Photo Illustration, Toy Camera, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, Silhouette, High Key, Low Key), HDR Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, HDR, Sweep Panorama, Movie/High Frame Rate
Self Timer: 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s; 1 to 9 exposures seconds 2 , 10, 10 (3 or 5 frames) seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800 as master Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 6.0 m / 19.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent; Approx. 39/12 (ft/m, ISO 100, 68F/20C) Guide Number is 6m/19.7 ft at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Multi Interface Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory: UHS-I compliant  
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG RAW (14-bit compressed ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4; Audio: LPCM, 2ch / Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Via Wi-Fi or optional ML-L3, WR-1, WR-T10/ WR-R10 or MC-DC2 remote cord Optional wired, IR or Wi-FI
Connections (extended): Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit), 3.5mm stereo mic jack Micro (Type-D) HDMI, Multi Interface Shoe, Multi Micro USB
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.42 0.62
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.41 0.59
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 11.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 231
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0 11.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 7 110
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.9 11.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 5 101
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.86 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.280 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.100 seconds 0.127 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.23 seconds 0.29 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.079 seconds 0.019 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 1.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.8 seconds 3.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 820 shots 310 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EL14a Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EL14a Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Free downloads of Image Data Converter (Win only), Capture One Express (for Sony)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black or red, in two different kit configurations: with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens or the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.