• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Sony RX10 III

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $1398*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,438 vs 472 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.0 vs 12.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    70 mm vs 127 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 44 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX10 III advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.2 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    29 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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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.

  • Versatile all-in-one replacement for a DSLR or mirrorless camera; Great handling and build; Excellent image quality; Spectacular zoom reach; Swift performance with generous buffer depths; Extremely capable video capture; Comprehensive remote control; Quick-and-easy image sharing

  • Extremely expensive for a fixed-lens camera; Fairly heavy for fixed-lens camera; Somewhat soft in the corners at wide-angle or tele; Noise reduction intrudes at higher sensitivities; No built-in ND filter; Not as fast when shooting raws; Slow buffer clearing

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
Sony RX10 III
Nikon D3300
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $367
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

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
Sony RX10 III
Pentax K-S1
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Sony RX10 III
Nikon D3400
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Nikon D5500
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $865
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX10 III
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $865
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony RX10 IV

Nikon D5500
Sony RX10 IV
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony RX10 III
Sony RX10 IV
  • $1398
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $1698
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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