Nikon D5500 vs Nikon Z50

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D5500 vs Nikon Z50

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.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the Z50.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5600
Compare D5500 vs D5600
Compare Nikon D5600 vs Nikon Z50

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Nikon Z50

Less expensive
$697 vs $997
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 320 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Nikon Z50 advantages over Nikon D5500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Newer
4 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.68x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
11.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z50 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5500

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)

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Buy the Nikon Z50

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm and 50-250mm Lenses
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

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.
Read our Nikon D5500 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon Z50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon Z50 Shooter's Report

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

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-S1

Nikon Z50

Pentax K-S1

$857
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$502
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D5500

Canon T6i

$597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Canon T6i

Nikon Z50

Canon T6i

$857
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon T6i

Compared to 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

Nikon Z50

Nikon D3400

$857
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Nikon D3400

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Nikon D5500

Canon EOS M50

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Canon EOS M50

Nikon Z50

Canon EOS M50

$857
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS M50

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon D5500

Fujifilm X-S10

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$949
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon Z50

Fujifilm X-S10

$857
APS-C

Less expensive
Wider angle kit lens

$949
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Fujifilm X-S10

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