• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon S6800 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.4 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D5500 advantages over Nikon S6800

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 170 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S6800

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 S6200

Nikon S6800
Nikon S6200
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon D5500
Nikon S6200
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony WX150

Nikon S6800
Sony WX150
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO
Nikon D5500
Sony WX150
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm T550

Nikon S6800
Fujifilm T550
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
Nikon D5500
Fujifilm T550
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon S6800
Pentax K-S1
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D5500
Pentax K-S1
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon S6800
Nikon D3400
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Compare Other Cameras?