• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Nikon D5500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D5300
D5300 vs D5500
Successor:   Nikon D5600
D5500 vs D5600
General
Model Number: A850 D5500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $999.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $696.95
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2015-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 23.6 oz (668 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(124 x 97 x 70 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 24.2
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 3.92 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 84
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8 24.1
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415 1,438
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
4496 x 3000 (13.5 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x424 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: n/a Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.05x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T); 7-blade (rounded) aperture
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8. OVF: 39-point (9 cross type) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 4800 DX; Live View: Contrast detect with Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x mag., 17mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter, Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen; Eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 0.55x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.82x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto, 100 - 25600 in steps of 1/3 EV
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3) Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual; all except Preset Manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot 2016-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (2.5% of frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Scene Modes: Autumn Colors, Beach/Snow, Blossom, Candlelight, Child, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Food, Landscape, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects Mode (Night Vision, Super Vivid, Pop, Photo Illustration, Toy Camera, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, Silhouette, High Key, Low Key), HDR
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s; 1 to 9 exposures seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800 as master
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent; Approx. 39/12 (ft/m, ISO 100, 68F/20C)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:   UHS-I compliant
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Via Wi-Fi or optional ML-L3, WR-1, WR-T10/ WR-R10 or MC-DC2 remote cord
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit), 3.5mm stereo mic jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40 0.42
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.41
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 100
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   7
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   3.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.20 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   0.86 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.280 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.154 seconds 0.100 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.23 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.079 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.4 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   1.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots 820 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary EL14a
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EL14a Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+) Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included. Available in black or red, in two different kit configurations: with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens or the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.