• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 26.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Fujifilm X-T30

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $900
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 68 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X-T30 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    4 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.06 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.62x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Wider angle kit lens
    23 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    17 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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 Fujifilm X-T30

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.

  • Same great image quality as the X-T3; Excellent high ISO performance for an APS-C camera; Improved hybrid AF system with full image area coverage; Fast AF speeds; 4K video up to 30p; Compact design; Great value.

  • Slightly higher noise levels than predecessor; No in-body image stabilization; Single card slot; No dedicated headphone jack; No weather sealing.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-S1
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fujifilm X-T30
Pentax K-S1
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D5500
Canon T6i
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
Fujifilm X-T30
Canon T6i
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Fujifilm X-T30
Nikon D3400
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Fujifilm X-T200

Nikon D5500
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Fujifilm X-T30
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer video battery life

Compared to Fujifilm X-T30 II

Nikon D5500
Fujifilm X-T30 II
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Fujifilm X-T30
Fujifilm X-T30 II
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • More dots on screen
Compare Other Cameras?