Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6000: Let’s compare the Sony Alpha A6000
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6000 Specs
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6000 – Comparison
Specifications |
Nikon D5500 |
Sony A6000 |
|---|---|---|
| Megapixels | 24.2 | 24.3 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | APS-C (DX) | APS-C |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| AA Filter | None | Yes |
| Image Resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Body Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Lens Mount | Nikon FX/DX | Sony E |
| ISO | 100 – 25,600 | 100 -25,600 |
| Expanded ISO | No | 51,200 |
| AF Points | 39 | 179 |
| Cross-type AF Points | 9 | 179 phase |
| Continuous Mode | 5fps | 11fps |
| LCD | 3.2″ – Fully Articulated | 3.0″ – Articulating |
| LCD Resolution | 1,036,800 dots | 921,600 dots |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Focus Peaking | No | Yes |
| Top LCD Display | No | No |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical | EVF (1.44M) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.82x | 1.07x |
| Video Resolution | 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p) | 1920×1080 (60/24p) |
| 1280×720 (60/50p) | ||
| Microphone Jack | Yes | No |
| Headphone Jack | No | No |
| Memory Card Type | SD | SD or MS Pro |
| Dual Card Slots | No | No |
| SD UHS Support | UHS-I | UHS-I |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/4000 |
| Slowest Shutter Speed | 30″ | 30″ |
| Bulb Mode | Yes | Yes |
| JPEG Buffer Size | 100 | 47 |
| RAW Buffer Size | 7 | 22 |
| Time Lapse | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Max Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/160 |
| Startup Time | 0.4s | 2.2s |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
| Built-in NFC | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| USB Type | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Environmentally Sealed | No | Yes |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 820 shots | 360 shots |
| Battery Included | Yes (EN-EL14a) | Yes (NP-FW50) |
| Weight | 14.8 oz (420g) | 12.1 oz (344g) |
| Size | 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8″ | 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.8″ |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2014 |
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6000 Common Features
| Wireless Connection | Yes vs Yes | Better connectivity |
| Articulating Screen | Yes vs Yes | Flexible shooting positions |
| Built-in Flash | Yes vs Yes | Useful in low-light |
| External Flash Shoe | Yes vs Yes | Better for flash photography |
| Viewfinder | Yes (Electronic) 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″ vs 3.2″ | Large display |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 922k dots vs 1.037k dots | Higher resolution screens |
| AE Bracketing | Yes vs Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6000 Common Weaknesses
| Image Stabilization | No vs No | No Built-in stabilization |
| Environmental Sealing | No vs No | Not suitable for tough conditions |
Sony A6000 vs Nikon D5500 Size Comparison
The Sony Alpha A6000 is the smaller of the two digital cameras. Its body is 4mm narrower, 30mm shorter and 25mm thinner than the Nikon D5500. The Alpha A6000 is also 76g lighter than the Nikon D5500.
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6000 – Comparison
Sony A6000 vs Nikon D5500 Sensor Comparison
Both cameras have an APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensor. However, the Nikon D5500’s sensor lacks an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. This increases the sharpness and details of photos. However, at the same time, it may produce moire in certain scenes. Everything else, including sensor area, is the same.
Why You Should Choose The Nikon D5500
| Touch Screen | Yes vs No | Easy control of camera functions |
| LCD Screen Size | 3.2″ vs 3″ | 0.2 inches larger display |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 1.037k dots vs 922k dots | 12% higher resolution screen |
| Battery Life | 820 shots vs 360 shots | 460 more frames with a single charge |
| Microphone Port | Yes vs No | HHigh-quality audio recording option |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes vs With optional app | creative shooting |
| Flash Coverage | 12.0m vs 6.0m | 6m longer range |
| Dynamic Range | 14.0 vs 13.1 | higher dynamic range |
| Low Light ISO | 1438 vs 1347 | better High ISO performance |
| Selfie Friendly LCD | Yes vs No | Rotate LCD for taking Selfies |
Advantages of the Nikon D5500 Over Sony A6000
- AA Filter – The Nikon D5500 has no AA filter.
- LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″ and it’s fully articulated.
- LCD Resolution – Higher resolution.
- Touchscreen Support
- Microphone Jack – If you’re going to record videos where audio quality is important, a microphone jack is super helpful.
- JPEG Buffer Size – 100 vs 47.
- Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/200 vs 1/160.
- Battery Life – 820 shots vs 360 shots.
Video: Nikon D5500 Hands-on Review
Why You Should Choose The Sony A6000
| Number of Focus Points | 179 vs 39 | 140 more focus points |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% vs 95% | More accurate viewfinder |
| Continuous Shooting | 11.0fps vs 5.0fps | 6 fps faster |
| Weight | 344 g vs 420 g | 76 g lighter |
| Price | $548 vs $700 | $152 cheaper |
| AE Bracketing Range | ±5 EV vs ±2 EV | Wide Bracketing range is useful for HDR |
| NFC Connection | Yes vs No | Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices |
Advantages of the Sony A6000 Over the Nikon D5500
- ISO – 51,200 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
- AF Points – 179 vs 39.
- Continuous mode – 11fps vs 5fps. More is better for sports and wildlife since you have more chances of getting a tack sharp shot.
- Focus Peaking – Very useful for seeing if your subject is in focus (both photo and video).
- Viewfinder Coverage – 100% vs 95%.
- Viewfinder Magnification – Higher magnification.
- RAW Buffer Size – 22 vs 7.
- Built-in NFC
- Environmentally Sealed – The Sony A6000 is more suitable for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.
- Size – The Sony A6000 is noticeably smaller.