• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Olympus E-M10 II

  • 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.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,438 vs 842 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.0 vs 12.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M10 II advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $550 vs $697
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    488g vs 668g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.62x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    18 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10 II

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.

  • Excellent value for the money; Professional-grade ergonomics; Incredibly good image quality for its class; Solid performance specs across the board; Loaded with features.

  • Kit lens may not be quite as sharp as previous kit lens from this line; Below average battery life; Somewhat confusing menu systems.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Nikon D5500
Olympus E-M10
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-M10 II
Olympus E-M10
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $399
  • 4/3

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-S1
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-M10 II
Pentax K-S1
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon D5500
Panasonic GX85
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-M10 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Olympus E-M10 II
Nikon D3400
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
Olympus E-M10 II
Nikon D5600
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
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