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Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 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
  • Newer Model is Nikon D5600
Sony A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • Newer Model is Sony A68
Photography Glossary

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon D5500 versus Sony A65, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D5500 (24MP) and the A65 (24MP) is relatively similar and they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D5500 was brought out 3 years after the A65 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D5500 matches up against the A65 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Sony A65

 D5500 A65 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015November 2011Newer by 39 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Nikon D5500

 A65 D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Sony A65

 D5500 A65 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5500 has physical dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) and the Sony A65 has measurements of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D5500 versus Sony A65 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the D5500 versus the A65.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5500 and A65 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The pic underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D5500 and A65.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels and you can expect similar quality of photos however you will need to factor the age of the products into consideration. The younger D5500 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5500
Portrait photography with Sony A65
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography details
Sony A65 Street photography details
75
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
features focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (420g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
77
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography highlights
Sony A65 Sports photography highlights
68
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery pack (820 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
81
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5500 Travel photography highlights
Sony A65 Travel photography highlights
81
good battery pack (820 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (420g)
features focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
68
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 Landscape photography advice
Sony A65 Landscape photography advice
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (820 shots)
lack of image stabilization
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5500 Vlogging features
Sony A65 Vlogging features
75
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic port
lighter than competition in class (420 grams)
lack of image stabilization
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone port
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Nikon D5500 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Sony A65
 Nikon D5500Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5500 Sony SLT-A65
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2015-01-06 2011-11-15
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 39 15
Cross focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 420 grams (0.93 pounds) 622 grams (1.37 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 84 74
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 12.6
DXO Low light score 1438 717
Other
Battery life 820 photos 560 photos
Battery form 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 recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $700 $700