Clicky

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Old Model is Nikon D5300
  • Successor is Nikon D5600
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Nikon D5500 versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The D5500 was released 5 years after the A550 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the D5500 matches up vs the A550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Sony A550

 D5500 A550 
ReleasedJanuary 2015December 2009Newer by 62 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k922kCrisper display (+115k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Nikon D5500

 A550 D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Sony A550

 D5500 A550 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5500 provides physical dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) and the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D5500 versus Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the D5500 against the A550.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the D5500 and A550 is 71 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The image below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D5500 and A550.

All in all, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon D5500 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent D5500 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5500 Portrait photography details
Sony A550 Portrait photography details
79
has manual focus
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
72
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography details
Sony A550 Street photography details
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
lighter than others (420g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography details
Sony A550 Sports photography details
68
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery power (820 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
low battery pack (480 per charge)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Nikon D5500 Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
81
better than average battery power (820 shots)
lighter than others (420g)
comes with focus via touch
decent MP (24MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
52
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
low battery pack (480 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5500
Landscape photography with Sony A550
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (820 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
66
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low battery pack (480 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5500 Vlogging features
Sony A550 Vlogging features
75
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
lighter than others (420g)
lack of image stabilization
9
no video shooting
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Sony A550
 Nikon D5500Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2015-01-06 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 39 9
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 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 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 420g (0.93 lb) 632g (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 84 66
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 11.8
DXO Low light score 1438 807
Other
Battery life 820 shots 480 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14,EN-EL14a NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $700 $749