Olympus E-PL6 vs Nikon D5500

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Olympus E-PL6 vs Nikon D5500

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL6 Review.

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 Olympus E-PL7
Compare E-PL6 vs E-PL7

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600

Compare OLYMPUS E-PL7 vs NIKON D5600

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Differences

Olympus E-PL6 advantages over Nikon D5500

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Thinner
38 mm vs 70 mm
Thinner
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Nikon D5500 advantages over Olympus E-PL6

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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
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

820 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
346k vs 205k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.1 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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 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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL6 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5500 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL6

Kit with 14-42mm Lens

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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

We haven’t reviewed the Olympus E-PL6.
Read our Olympus E-PL6 Preview

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 Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL6

Olympus E-PM1

$299
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$500
4/3

Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Olympus E-PM1

Nikon D5500

Olympus E-PM1

$797
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$500
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GF5

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
4/3

Bigger pixels
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic GF5

Nikon D5500

Panasonic GF5

$797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$450
4/3

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GF7

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic GF7

Nikon D5500

Panasonic GF7

$797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Olympus E-PL6

Pentax K-3 II

$299
4/3

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-3 II

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Nikon D5600

Olympus E-PL6

Nikon D5600

$299
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

$898
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500

Nikon D5600

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$898
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D5600

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