• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D5500
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D5300
D5300 vs D5500
Panasonic GX7
GX7 vs GX8
Successor: Nikon D5600
D5500 vs D5600
Panasonic GX9
GX8 vs GX9
General
Model Number: D5500 GX8
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $999.95 $1199.99
Street Price: $596.95 $997.99
Date Available: 2015-02-15 2015-08-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.6 oz (668 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
17.2 oz (487 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(124 x 97 x 70 mm)
5.2 x 3.1 x 2.5 in.
(133 x 78 x 63 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 24.2 20.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.92 microns 3.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: None Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 84 75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.1 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.0 12.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,438 806
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
4496 x 3000 (13.5 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2)
5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3),
3712 x 2784 (10.3 MP, 4:3),
2624 x 1968 (5.2 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
3712 x 2480 (9.2 MP, 3:2),
2624 x 1752 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
5184 x 2920 (15.1 MP, 16:9),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9),
3888 x 3888 (15.1 MP, 1:1),
2784 x 2784 (7.8 MP, 1:1),
1968 x 1968 (3.9 MP, 1:1),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 8.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x424 (30p/​25p)
3840x2160 (30p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch) / MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes No
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.05x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T); 7-blade (rounded) aperture  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 2x, 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: OVF: 39-point (9 cross type) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking by Nikon Multi-CAM 4800 DX; Live View: Contrast detect with Face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF Contrast Detection with DFD: Face/Eye detection, Tracking, 49-area, Custom Multi, 1-area, Pinpoint; One Shot AF, Shutter AF, Half Press Release, Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion picture recording), Eye Sensor AF, AF+MF, MF Assist, Touch MF Assist, Focus Peaking, Touch AF/AE Function, Touch Pad AF, Touch Shutter
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / OLED
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x mag., 17mm eyepoint, -1.7 to +0.5 diopter, Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark VII screen; Eye sensor Tilting 2360K-dot OLED, 1.54x / 0.77x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,360,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.55x 0.77x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.82x 1.54x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes Yes
Selfie Screen: Yes Yes
Max Playback Zoom:   16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 25600 in steps of 1/3 EV Auto, iISO, 100 (extended), 200 - 25600; in 1 or 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual; all except Preset Manual with fine tuning Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1-4, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 2016-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (2.5% of frame) 1728-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes: Autumn Colors, Beach/Snow, Blossom, Candlelight, Child, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Food, Landscape, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Sports, Sunset, Special Effects Mode (Night Vision, Super Vivid, Pop, Photo Illustration, Toy Camera, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, Silhouette, High Key, Low Key), HDR Panorama (Standard/Wide); Creative Control: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, Sunshine
Self Timer: 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s; 1 to 9 exposures seconds 2, 10, 3 shots in 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with SB-910, SB-900, SB-800 as master Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off; 1st. Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent; Approx. 39/12 (ft/m, ISO 100, 68F/20C) n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/200 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory: UHS-I compliant  
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch) / MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Via Wi-Fi or optional ML-L3, WR-1, WR-T10/ WR-R10 or MC-DC2 remote cord Wi-Fi or optional wired
Connections (extended): Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit), 3.5mm stereo mic jack Micro HDMI (Type-D), 2.5mm Wired Remote/External Mic Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.42 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.41 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 8.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0 7.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 7 36
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.9 7.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 5 32
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 0.86 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.280 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.100 seconds 0.065 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.23 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.079 seconds 0.058 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.8 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   340 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 820 shots 320 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EL14a Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 7.2v, 1200mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EL14a Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM PHOTOfunSTUDIO 9.7 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 4.3 SE, LoiloScope (trial version)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS PHOTOfunSTUDIO and LoiloScope: Windows Vista/7/8/8.1; SILKYPIX: Windows Vista/7/8/8.1, Mac OS X 10.5-10.10
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black or red, in two different kit configurations: with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens or the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. New 20.3MP Live MOS sensor, upgraded quad-core CPU Venus Engine image processor, Dual IS uses both IBIS and OIS, 4K 30p/24p video and stills capture, 8fps full-res burst shooting (10fps with electronic shutter), Depth From Defocus AF, tilting high-res 0.77x EVF, tilt/swivel touchscreen OLED monitor, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, magnesium alloy die cast frame