Pentax K-x vs Nikon D5500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-x vs Nikon D5500

Leave Feedback

APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-x Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-x.

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 Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600

Compare PENTAX K-R vs NIKON D5600

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-x advantages over Nikon D5500

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.53 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D5500 advantages over Pentax K-x

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
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 K-x test data on DxO Mark

1,438 vs 811 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D5500 test data on DxO Mark K-x test data on DxO Mark

14.0 vs 12.5 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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 420 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
10 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
39 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
4.9 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 25 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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 K-x User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5500 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-x

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

Read our Pentax K-x 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 Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A380

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D5500

Sony DSLR-A380

$797
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-7

$797
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1300
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-r

$797
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-3 II

$702
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-x 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

Pentax K-x

Nikon D5600

$702
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-x 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

Compare Other Cameras?