• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 750.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon S9700 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.9 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 S9700

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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 300 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
  • 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 8 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 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Nikon S9700
Nikon S9700

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Buy the Nikon D5500
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Red)
  • Kit with 18-140mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-140mm lens (Red)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-55mm lens (Red)
All D5500 Deals

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.

  • Read our Nikon D5500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon S9700
Pentax K-S1
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-S1
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Sony WX500

Nikon S9700
Sony WX500
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Sony WX500

Nikon D5500
Sony WX500
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Sony WX500

Compared to Sony HX90V

Nikon S9700
Sony HX90V
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX90V

Nikon D5500
Sony HX90V
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Sony HX80

Nikon S9700
Sony HX80
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX80

Nikon D5500
Sony HX80
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Sony HX80

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon S9700
Nikon D3400
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D3400

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