Nikon D7000 vs Nikon D5500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D7000 vs Nikon D5500

Leave Feedback

APS-C 368.2mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D7000.

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.

Succeeded by the Nikon D7100
Compare D7000 vs D7100

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600

Compare NIKON D7100 vs NIKON D5600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D7000 advantages over Nikon D5500

Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

1050 vs 820 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
158 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x 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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
10 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D5500 advantages over Nikon D7000

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5500 test data on DxO Mark D7000 test data on DxO Mark

1,438 vs 1,167 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Lighter weight
668g vs 1234g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 19 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D7000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5500 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

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)

All D5500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Very good image quality; Better than average noise vs. detail handling at high ISOs; Very good dynamic range in JPEGs, excellent in RAW files; Lots of high-end features in a relatively compact body; 6 fps burst mode.
Viewfinder not as accurate as specified; Viewfinder doesn't show ISO unless adjusting; No live histogram in Live View mode; No phase-detect Live View AF mode.
Read our Nikon D7000 Full Review

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 Canon 60D

Nikon D7000

Canon 60D

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$889
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Canon 60D

Nikon D5500

Canon 60D

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$889
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Canon 60D

Compared to Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000

Pentax K-30

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-30

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-30

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-5 II

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D7000

Pentax K-S1

$699
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$502
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7000 vs 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

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D7000

Nikon D3400

$699
APS-C

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$497
APS-C

Built-in Bluetooth
Newer

Compare Nikon D7000 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?