• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/3.1 inch 16.5mm2
  • 13.2 megapixels
  • 30.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Nikon S33

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/3.1 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 1.13 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 220 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 77k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 13.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S33 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Less expensive
    $107* vs $697
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner

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 Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

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.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S31

Nikon D5500
Nikon S31
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
Nikon S33
Nikon S31
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D3300

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3300
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon S33
Nikon D3300
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

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
Nikon S33
Pentax K-S1
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Nikon S33
Nikon D3400
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon W100

Nikon D5500
Nikon W100
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $157
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Nikon S33
Nikon W100
  • $107
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $157
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Compare Other Cameras?