Nikon D5500 Review (vs D5300, D7100, Canon T5i and more)
/My hands-on video review of the Nikon D5500
NOTE: NIKON REBATES END 3/28/15 & include the D5500/D5300
Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D5300 - Differences Explained Simply
Both D5500 and D5300 offer:
- 24MP APS-C CMOS Sensors
- Expeed 4 Processors
- 39-point AF system, 9 cross-type points (higher accuracy points clustered around the middle)
- ISO 100-25,600
- 5 frames per second
- HD 1080 video at 60p (10 minute recording limit, 20 minutes at 30p)
- Fully articulating screen
- Wifi
The D5500 offers/Advantages over the D5300:
- A redesigned 24MP processor- I saw slight improvements in image quality at higher ISOs
- Proximity Sensor (turns LCD off when you bring camera to your eye- helps with battery life too)
- Smart Touch Screen - acts as a 3rd function wheel when your eye is up to viewfinder
- Quiet shutter option - Mirror flipping down is just delayed - not a big difference in sound
- Flat profile for video
- Fine control over settings in Picture profiles (1/4 adjustments)
- Slimmer and lighter, under 1lb
- Redesign deep grip
- Greater battery life (820 shots CIPA)
- Additional Effects: Super Vivid, Pop and Photo Illustration
The D5300 offers/Advantages over the D5500:
- Savings! - D5300 Sells for $200 less. Buy on B&H Photo.
- GPS. If you want a GPS for the D5500 Nikon will sell you the GP-1A GPS Unit
My Thoughts on the D5300 vs D5500The primary advantages of D5500 are the touchscreen, making the camera more user friendly and the slimmer and lightweight design. Increased image quality at the higher ISOs is a nice bonus. If you are a beginner this is a great way to ease into a DSLR with a camera that does provide room to grow as a photographer or is ready to be left on AUTO and provide you with excellent photos.
Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 - Differences Explained Simply
They both offer 24MP sensors, the D5500 is a newer design with better image quality at higher ISOsThe D7100 offers/Advantages over the D5500:
- Full Manual Control and additional function buttons for customizing
- larger more ergonomically designed camera (comfortable to hold for long stretches)
- Auto focus compatibility with more lenses (in body focus motor, lacking in the D5500)
- Faster AF system with 51 focus points (39 focus points in the D5500)
- 6 FPS vs 5FPS in the D5500. D7100 can do 7fps in crop mode.
- D7100 has a pentaprism viewfinder providing a brighter view and covers a full 100% of the image area. D5500 uses a pentamirror design which covers 95% of the image area.
- Weather Sealing against dust/moisture
- Increased top shutter speed 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec in the D5500.
The D5500 offers/Advantages over the D7100:
- Much lighter and smaller
- D5500 weighs: 420 g (0.93 lb / 14.82 oz)
- D7100 weighs: 765 g (1.69 lb / 26.98 oz)
- More user friendly for beginners
- Cheaper. Buying the D5500 saves you several hundred dollars
Who should buy the D7100?Photographers looking to seriously grow and/or will need to be shooting in all weather conditions. And photographers will access to older lenses that will work with the D7100.Who should buy the D5500?Photographers looking for an excellent quality DSLR (currently the best at this price point) where size and weight is important.Nikon D5500 Sample Images (More Coming Soon)[gallery columns="4" td_gallery_title_input="Nikon D5500 Image Samples" link="file" ids="7232,7233,7234,7235,7236,7237,7238,7239,7240,7241,7242,7243"]
Nikon D5500 vs the Canon T5i and Canon T6i/T6s
Watch my preview on the Canon T6i/T6s
D610 Offers an excellent sensor for just $1500D750 Offers a versatile camera that excels in low light focusing and produces very clean images at high ISOsD810 offers 36MP with no optical low pass filter (OLPF) this gives you stunningly detailed images 
D610 and the D750 share partial MA Skeleton. D750 gets carbon fiber exterior increasing strength and decreasing weightNikon Full Frame DSLR Weight:
One of the headline features of the D750 is the articulating display. The first full frame DSLR to offer. There is some nervousness surrounding the ribbon connection powe to the screen and yes an articulating screen is more prone to issues but all in all the additional angles you can shoot at without craning your neck or guesstimating on the composition are appreciated. The D750 is the smallest of the three and like the D610 some buttons on the left have dual purposes depending on the mode you are in. I find this to be slightly annoying The D810 has a dedicated button for almost everything and includes a dedicated AF-ON button too. 
The D750 has the newest focusing system of the three cameras with excellent performance in low light. Same points and spread as the D810 but with better low light performance. D610 is capable but not my first pick for speedy focusing when the light levels drop. 
My Favorite features of the Nikon D750
A few small items that I don't love about the D750.
