• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-H 476.1mm2
  • 25.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Sigma sd Quattro H

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma sd Quattro H advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-H vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x 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
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.4 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • 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 D3300

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3300
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sigma sd Quattro H
Nikon D3300
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • 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
Sigma sd Quattro H
Pentax K-S1
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Nikon D5500
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sigma sd Quattro H
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Sigma sd Quattro H
Nikon D3400
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compared to Fujifilm X-H1

Nikon D5500
Fujifilm X-H1
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sigma sd Quattro H
Fujifilm X-H1
  • $1199
  • APS-H
  • Larger sensor
  • More dots on screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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