Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100: Two Nikon cameras. Both with a 24.0MP APS-C sensor. How does the Nikon D7100 compare to the Nikon D5500? Here’s a quick overview of the main features before we go into more detail.
Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 Specs
Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 – Comparison
Specifications |
Nikon D5500 |
Nikon D7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Megapixels | 24.2 | 24.1 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | APS-C (DX) | APS-C (DX) |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| AA Filter | None | None |
| Image Resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Body Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Lens Mount | Nikon FX/DX | Nikon FX/DX |
| ISO | 100 – 25,600 | 100 – 6,400 |
| Expanded ISO | No | 25,600 |
| AF Points | 39 | 51 |
| Cross-type AF Points | 9 | 15 |
| Continuous Mode | 5fps | 6fps |
| LCD | 3.2″ – Fully Articulated | 3.2″ – Fixed |
| LCD Resolution | 1,036,800 dots | 1,228,800 dots |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Focus Peaking | No | No |
| Top LCD Display | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical | Optical |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.82x | 0.94x |
| Video Resolution | 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p) | 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p) |
| 1280×720 (60/50p) | 1280×720 (60/50p) | |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Memory Card Type | SD | SD + SD |
| Dual Card Slots | No | Yes |
| SD UHS Support | UHS-I | UHS-I |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/8000 |
| Slowest Shutter Speed | 30″ | 30″ |
| Bulb Mode | Yes | Yes |
| JPEG Buffer Size | 100 | 12 |
| RAW Buffer Size | 7 | 5 |
| Time Lapse | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Max Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/250 |
| Startup Time | 0.4s | 0.3s |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
| Built-in NFC | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| USB Type | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Environmentally Sealed | No | Yes |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 820 shots | 950 shots |
| Battery Included | Yes (EN-EL14a) | Yes (EN-EL15) |
| Weight | 14.8 oz (420g) | 27.0 oz (765g) |
| Size | 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8″ | 5.3 x 4.2 x 3.0″ |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2013 |
Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 Common Features
| Built-in Flash | Yes vs Yes | Useful in low-light |
| External Flash Shoe | Yes vs Yes | Better for flash photography |
| Viewfinder | Yes (Optical) vs Yes (Optical) | Better framing and control |
| RAW Support | Yes vs Yes | Better image quality |
| Face Detection Focus | Yes vs Yes | Useful for portraits |
| Max Resolution | 24 MP vs 24 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
| LCD Screen Size | 3.2″ vs 3.2″ | Large display |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 1.037k dots vs 1.229k dots | Higher resolution screens |
| Continuous Shooting | 5.0fps vs 6.0fps | Fast shooting speeds |
| Microphone Port | Yes vs Yes | High-quality audio recording option |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes vs Yes | Creative shooting |
| AE Bracketing | Yes vs Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 Common Weaknesses
| Image Stabilization | No vs No | No Built-in stabilization |
Size Comparison
With regard to size, the Nikon D5500 is the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 12mm narrower, 10mm shorter and 6mm thinner than Nikon D7100. It is also noticeably lighter. The Nikon D5500 is 345g lighter than the Nikon D7100.
Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 – Comparison
Sensor Comparison
Both cameras have identical sensors. They both have an APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensor. Both the Nikon D7100 and Nikon D5500 sensors lack anti-alias (Low-Pass) filters. They offer the same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. They use the same lenses.
Why You Should Choose The Nikon D5500
| Wireless Connection | Built-In vs Optional | Better connectivity |
| Articulating Screen | Yes vs No | Flexible shooting positions |
| Touch Screen | Yes vs No | Easy control of camera functions |
| Max ISO | 25.600 vs 6.400 | 300% higher Max ISO |
| Weight | 420 g vs 765 g | 345 g lighter |
| Dynamic Range | 14.0 vs 13.7 | Higher dynamic range |
| Low Light ISO | 1438 vs 1256 | Better High ISO performance |
| Price | $700 vs $1,197 | $497 cheaper |
| Selfie Friendly LCD | Yes vs No | Rotate LCD for taking Selfies |
Advantages of the Nikon D5500 Over Nikon D7100
- LCD – It’s fully articulated.
- Touchscreen Support
- JPEG Buffer Size – 100 vs 12.
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Weight – The Nikon D5500 weighs 345g less.
- Size – The Nikon D5500 is noticeably smaller.
Video: Nikon D5500 Hands-on Review
Why You Should Choose The Nikon D7100
| Number of Focus Points | 51 vs 39 | 12 more focus points |
| Number of Cross Type Focus Points | 15 vs 9 | 6 more cross type focus points |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 1.229k dots vs 1.037k dots | 18% higher resolution screen |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% vs 95% | More accurate viewfinder |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000s vs 1/4000s | faster shutter speed |
| Continuous Shooting | 6.0fps vs 5.0fps | 1 fps faster |
| Battery Life | 950 shots vs 820 shots | 130 more frames with a single charge |
| Headphone Port | Yes vs No | Better video control |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes vs No | Shoot at tough conditions |
| Color Depth | 24.2 vs 24.1 | Higher color depth |
| Top LCD | Yes vs No | Helps to view and change settings easily |
| Optical Viewfinder Type | Pentaprism vs Pentamirror | Pentaprism Viewfinders are brighter than Pentamirror type |
| AF Micro Adjustment (Fine Tune) | Yes vs No | Adjust each lens for more accurate focusing |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 150000 cycles vs 100000 cycles | Longer use without changing the shutter mechanism |
| AF Motor in body | Yes vs No | Autofocus with all Nikon Lenses |
| Storage Slot | 2 vs 1 | Extra storage slot |
| Min Focus Sensitivity | EV -2 vs EV -1 | Autofocus in lower light |
| Autofocus at f/8 aperture | Center point vs none | Autofocus with teleconverters |
Advantages of the Nikon D7100 Over the Nikon D5500
- AF Points – 51 vs 39.
- Cross-type AF Points – 15 vs 9.
- Continuous Mode – 6fps vs 5fps. It’s an advantage, but not something you will really notice that often.
- LCD Resolution – Higher resolution
- Top LCD Display – When shooting in semi-auto/manual modes, you can quickly preview all of your settings.
- Viewfinder Coverage – 100% vs 95%.
- Viewfinder Magnification – Higher magnification.
- Headphone Jack – Useful for previewing your audio quality straight out the camera.
- Dual Card Slots – More room for extra photos, or simply for backup.
- Faster Max Shutter Speed – 1/8000 vs 1/4000.
- Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/250 vs 1/200.
- Environmentally Sealed – The Nikon D7100 is more suited for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.
- Battery Life – 950 shots vs 820 shots.