• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Nikon Z7

  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $3097
    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 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    668g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon Z7 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,668 vs 1,438 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • 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 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z7

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.

  • Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.

  • Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3300

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3300
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon Z7
Nikon D3300
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

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 Z7
Pentax K-S1
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Nikon Z7
Nikon D3400
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon Z6

Nikon D5500
Nikon Z6
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z7
Nikon Z6
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS R

Nikon D5500
Canon EOS R
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z7
Canon EOS R
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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