Nikon D5500 Review
The Nikon D5500 good image quality and performance as an entry-level DSLR camera. With the Nikon D5500 DSLR, Nikon aims to repeat the success of the earlier D5300.
Nikon’s mid-level DSLR line gets a substantial upgrade in the form of the D5500. It is now the smallest and lightest DSLR yet made by Nikon. But don’t let the smallness fool you, this little gem gives some stellar performance.
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Performance Nikon D5500
Nikon D5500 comes with APS-C sized, DX-format image sensor outputting 24.2 megapixels. This new design entry level DSLR offers an entire sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 25,600 equivalents.
Unlike its predecessor, the D5500 no longer comes with a built-in GPS receiver. In case you want to geotag your images, you’ll need to do so manually. Or you can rely on an external device to record a location tracking that can be imported later.
Check Out: Best Lenses for Nikon D5500
Nikon D5500 Viewfinder
Nikon has also added a touch-screen to the Nikon D5500’s 3.2-inch LCD monitor. It allows it to serve as an input device. Therefore, it provides consumer-friendly features as a touch shutter and pinches zoom.
Just as with Wi-Fi on the earlier model, this is a first for a Nikon entry-level DSLR. All courtesy of electronic improvements made on this best beginner DSLR. Nikon D5500 comes with a new proximity sensor that disables the LCD monitor when you raise the camera to your eye. Almost 37% is its extended battery life.
Body and Design of Nikon D5500
Nikon D5500 comes in a brand-new body that’s smaller. It measures 4.9″ x 3.8″ x 2.8″ inches and is even lighter weighing 14.9 oz. The 24.2-megapixel Nikon D5500’s body has a carbon-fiber monocoque structure. This entry-level DSLR is slimmer with a deeper grip.
The best beginner DSLR sports a new body and comes with improvements to its control. It has a relocated Info button and a simplified Mode dial. It does away with the numerous fixed scene mode positions of the earlier camera models.
Images on Nikon D5500
Retained from the D5300, is Nikon’s 39-point phase detection autofocus system. It features nine cross-type points. The entry-level DSLR sports a 2,016-pixel metering system. It is paired with Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System algorithms. The camera retains the same versatile side-mounted and tiltable LCD articulation mechanism.
Nikon D5500 has in-camera Wi-Fi support. Its burst capture rate goes up to five frames per second. This is achieved because of Nikon D5500’s EXPEED 4 image processor. The entry-level model sports a Flat picture control. This is good for both movie and still capture. It is more conducive to color grading post-capture.
Nikon D5500 Specifications
| Price | ||
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $899 (body only), $999 (with 18-55mm VR II lens), $1199 (with 18-140mm VR lens) | |
| Body type | ||
| Body type | Compact SLR | |
| Sensor | ||
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 | |
| Other resolutions | 4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000 | |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2 | |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels | |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels | |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) | |
| Sensor type | CMOS | |
| Processor | Expeed 4 | |
| Image | ||
| ISO | Auto, 100 – 25600 | |
| White balance presets | 12 | |
| Custom white balance | Yes (1) | |
| Image stabilization | No | |
| Uncompressed format | RAW | |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, Normal, Basic | |
| Optics & Focus | ||
| Autofocus |
| |
| Digital zoom | No | |
| Manual focus | Yes | |
| Number of focus points | 39 | |
| Lens mount | Nikon F | |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× | |
| Screen / viewfinder | ||
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | |
| Screen size | 3.2″ | |
| Screen dots | 1,037,000 | |
| Touch screen | Yes | |
| Screen type | TFT LCD monitor | |
| Live view | Yes | |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.82× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) | |
| Photography features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec | |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec | |
| Aperture priority | Yes | |
| Shutter priority | Yes | |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes | |
| Subject / scene modes | Yes | |
| Built-in flash | Yes (Pop-up) | |
| Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | |
| External flash | Yes (Hot-shoe) | |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps | |
| Self-timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | |
| Metering modes |
| |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | |
| AE Bracketing | ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | |
| WB Bracketing | Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis) | |
| Videography features | ||
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 | |
| Microphone | Stereo | |
| Speaker | Mono | |
| Storage | ||
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC | |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | |
| HDMI | Yes (mini-HDMI) | |
| Microphone port | Yes | |
| Headphone port | No | |
| Wireless | Built-In | |
| Wireless notes | Remote control / photo retrieval via smartphone | |
| Remote control | Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless)) | |
| Physical | ||
| Environmentally sealed | No | |
| Battery | Battery Pack | |
| Battery description | EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 820 | |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 420 g (0.93 lb / 14.82 oz) | |
| Dimensions | 124 x 97 x 70 mm (4.88 x 3.82 x 2.76″) | |
| Other features | ||
| Orientation sensor | Yes | |
| Timelapse recording | Yes | |
| GPS | None | |
Nikon D5500 Deals & Discounts
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The D5500 is a compact, lightweight, and very competent DSLR. Its image quality and continuous AF is impressive, feature set is broad, and performance is strong. It's not great for continuous Raw shooting and the lack of a second control dial may put off some enthusiasts, but overall the D5500 is well worth considering.
- Design
- Features
- Performance
- Image Quality