• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony QX1 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $498* vs $697
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    52 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner

Nikon D5500 advantages over Sony QX1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,438 vs 1,063 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • 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
  • 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 Samsung NX2000

Sony QX1
Samsung NX2000
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D5500
Samsung NX2000
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Sony QX1
Pentax K-S1
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
Nikon D5500
Pentax K-S1
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Sony QX1
Samsung NX3300
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon D5500
Samsung NX3300
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $550
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Sony QX1
Ricoh GR II
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Integrated ND filter
Nikon D5500
Ricoh GR II
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D3400

Sony QX1
Nikon D3400
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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