• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D5500
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A1
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D5300
D5300 vs D5500
 
Successor: Nikon D5600
D5500 vs D5600
 
General
Model Number: D5500 A1
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-1
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $999.95 $6500.00
Street Price: $696.95 $6,498.00
Date Available: 2015-02-15 2021-03-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.6 oz (668 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
26.0 oz (737 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(124 x 97 x 70 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 3.2 in.
(129 x 97 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 24.2 50.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.92 microns 4.16 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: None None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 84  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.1  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.0  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,438  
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)
8640 x 5760 (49.8 MP, 3:2),
5616 x 3744 (21.0 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
7680 x 5760 (44.2 MP, 4:3),
4992 x 3744 (18.7 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2880 (11.1 MP, 4:3),
8760 x 4864 (42.6 MP, Other),
5616 x 3160 (17.7 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
5760 x 5760 (33.2 MP, 1:1),
3744 x 3744 (14.0 MP, 1:1),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG JPEG, HEIF, Compressed RAW, Lo, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.9 30.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
640x424 (30p/​25p)
7680x4320 (30p/​25p/​24p)
3840x2160 (120p/​100p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (1p/​2p/​3p/​4p/​6p/​8p/​12p/​15p/​25p/​30p/​50p/​60p/​100p/​120p/​200p/​240p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony E
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 Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
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 Fast Hybrid 4D AF: 759 points (PDAF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF); Wide (759 points (PDAF), 425 points (CDAF))/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot/Tracking (Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot); Touch AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
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 EVF: 0.64" 9.44M-dot QXGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.90x magnification, 60/120/240fps refresh rates, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter, 25mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 9,437,184 dots (3,145,728 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.55x 0.90x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.82x 0.90x
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) 1,440,000 dots (360,000 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes No
Max Playback Zoom:    
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 32000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 25600 in steps of 1/3 EV AUTO, ISO 100 - 32000, expandable to ISO 50 - 102400
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 (with Priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Underwater, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/32000 - 30 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) 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
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 Picture Effect: Posterization (Color), Posterization (B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal / Cool / Warm / Green / Magenta), Soft High-key; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Self Timer: 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s; 1 to 9 exposures seconds 2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): 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 Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
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 1/400s (1/500s APS-C crop mode)
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Multi Interface Hot Shoe with Digital Audio Interface, Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC / CFexpress
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-II
Other Memory: UHS-I compliant 2x CFexpress Type A+SD UHS-II
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (12 or 14-bit .NEF), RAW+JPEG RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Ethernet,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
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 Optional via IR, USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Connections (extended): Type C mini-HDMI with CEC, Accessory Terminal (MC-DC2 remote cord or GP-1 GPS unit), 3.5mm stereo mic jack USB-C (USB 3.2 10Gbps), Type-D Micro HDMI, 1000Base-T Ethernet, 3.5mm Microphone and Headphone Jacks, Sync Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.42  
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  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.9 30.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 165
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0 20.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 7 155
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 3.9  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 5  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 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  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.23 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.079 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.8 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   530 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 820 shots 430 shots
Battery Life, Video:   150 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EL14a Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EL14a Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Capture One Express (for Sony) free download; Sony Imaging Edge Remote, Viewer and Edit
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, macOS
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.