• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF3X advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    359g vs 668g
    Lighter weight
  • 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 Panasonic GF3X

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • Better color depth
    24.1 vs 20.6 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,438 vs 459 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.0 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

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 Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3X
Panasonic GF2
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D5500
Panasonic GF2
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF3X
Olympus E-PM1
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D5500
Olympus E-PM1
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3X
Panasonic GF5
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
Nikon D5500
Panasonic GF5
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon D3400

Panasonic GF3X
Nikon D3400
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compared to Nikon D5600

Panasonic GF3X
Nikon D5600
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
Compare Other Cameras?