Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon D5500

Cameras
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon D5500

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon ELPH 500 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the ELPH 500 HS.

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 Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600
Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon D5600

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Differences

Canon ELPH 500 HS advantages over Nikon D5500

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Thinner
25 mm vs 70 mm
Thinner
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D5500 advantages over Canon ELPH 500 HS

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
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
Bigger pixels
~ 3.92 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 180 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
9 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
1037k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.20 vs 0.49 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
4.9 fps vs 1.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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 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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Read D5500 User Reviews

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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

Backlit sensor; High Resolution screen; Touchscreen interface; 24mm equivalent wide-angle zoom; Full HD video.
Below-average battery life; Touchscreen requires more pressure than cell phones; Zoom toggle difficult to use; Soft corners and moderate chromatic aberration.
Read our Canon ELPH 500 HS Express 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 Canon SD4000 IS

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Canon SD4000 IS

$246
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$288
1/2.3 inch

Longer stills battery life
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Canon SD4000 IS

Nikon D5500

Canon SD4000 IS

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$288
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Canon SD4000 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX700

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Panasonic DMC-FX700

$246
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$204
1/2.33 inch

Longer stills battery life
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FX700

Nikon D5500

Panasonic DMC-FX700

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$204
1/2.33 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic DMC-FX700

Compared to Olympus TG-1

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Olympus TG-1

$246
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$400
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
Fast startup

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Olympus TG-1

Nikon D5500

Olympus TG-1

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$400
1/2.3 inch

Waterproof
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Pentax K-S1

$246
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Thinner

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S1

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Nikon D3400

Canon ELPH 500 HS

Nikon D3400

$246
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D3400

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