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Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500

Portability
67
Imaging
64
Features
63
Overall
63
Nikon D3200 front
 
Nikon D5500 front
Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 Key Specs

Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3100
  • Refreshed by Nikon D3300
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
  • Replaced the Nikon D5300
  • New Model is Nikon D5600
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Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon D3200 and Nikon D5500, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras and both are manufactured by Nikon. The image resolution of the D3200 (24MP) and the D5500 (24MP) is pretty close and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3200 was released 3 years before the D5500 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the D3200 grades vs the D5500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Nikon D5500

 D3200 D5500 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Nikon D3200

 D5500 D3200 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015July 2012Newer by 29 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Nikon D5500

 D3200 D5500 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3200 comes with outer measurements of 125mm x 96mm x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Nikon D5500 has measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D3200 and Nikon D5500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the D3200 compared to the D5500.

Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3200 and D5500 is 67 and 71 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specs. The pic below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3200 and D5500.

All in all, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of files though you really should take the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged D3200 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3200 Portrait photography info
Nikon D5500 Portrait photography info
78
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
79
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3200 Street photography advice
Nikon D5500 Street photography advice
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
features focus by touch
lighter than average in class (420 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3200
Sports photography with Nikon D5500
65
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
68
megapixel count good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
good battery power (820 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3200 Travel photography information
Nikon D5500 Travel photography information
59
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
81
good battery power (820 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (420 grams)
features focus by touch
megapixel count good (24MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3200 Landscape photography details
Nikon D5500 Landscape photography details
69
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
good battery power (820 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3200 Vlogging details
Nikon D5500 Vlogging details
27
includes face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
75
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone port
lighter than average in class (420g)
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3200 and Nikon D5500
 Nikon D3200Nikon D5500
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D3200 Nikon D5500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-07-25 2015-01-06
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 Expeed 4
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 357.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 39
Cross focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 921k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 grams (1.11 pounds) 420 grams (0.93 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 96 x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 81 84
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score 13.2 14.0
DXO Low light score 1131 1438
Other
Battery life 540 pictures 820 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 EN-EL14,EN-EL14a
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $530 $700