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Leica C vs Nikon D5500

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
59
Overall
45
Leica C front
 
Nikon D5500 front
Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 Key Specs

Leica C
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 103 x 63 x 28mm
  • Introduced September 2013
  • Also Known as Typ112
Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Older Model is Nikon D5300
  • Renewed by Nikon D5600
Photography Glossary

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Leica C versus Nikon D5500, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Leica and Nikon. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the C (12MP) and D5500 (24MP) and the C (1/1.7") and D5500 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The C was announced 16 months before the D5500 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Leica C being a Compact camera and the Nikon D5500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the C matches up against the D5500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica C over the Nikon D5500

 C D5500 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Leica C

 D5500 C 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015September 2013Fresher by 16 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica C and Nikon D5500

 C D5500 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Leica C features external dimensions of 103mm x 63mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5500 has sizing of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs).

See the Leica C versus Nikon D5500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the C vs the D5500.

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the C and D5500 is 92 and 71 respectively.

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 top view buttons comparison

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specifications. The graphic below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the C and D5500.

Plainly, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The C using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Nikon D5500 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The older C will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 sensor size comparison

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica C vs Nikon D5500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica C as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D5500 as a Portrait photography camera
42
focusing manually
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
79
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica C Street photography information
Nikon D5500 Street photography information
65
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
75
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (420g)
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica C Sports photography information
Nikon D5500 Sports photography information
38
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
68
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
great battery pack (820 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica C as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D5500 as a Travel photography camera
64
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
81
great battery pack (820 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (420 grams)
supports focus by touch
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica C
Landscape photography with Nikon D5500
54
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have Timelapse function
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (820 shots)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica C as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D5500 as a Vlogging camera
39
pretty wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
75
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
lighter than competition in class (420g)
no image stabilization
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Leica C vs Nikon D5500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica C and Nikon D5500
 Leica CNikon D5500
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica C Nikon D5500
Also Known as Typ112 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-09-08 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed 4
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 39
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Nikon F
Lens zoom range 28-200mm (7.1x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 1% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 195g (0.43 lbs) 420g (0.93 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 63 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 84
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1438
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 820 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL14,EN-EL14a
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $1,299 $700