Nikon D5500 DSLR Camera Review

The Nikon D5500 DSLR camera features a touchscreen LCD panel, which is a first for Nikon DSLR cameras and gives you better control over your camera. It is equipped with a 24.2-megapixel sensor and an EXPEED 4 image processor, which together deliver high-resolution photos and Full HD 1080p video with remarkable low-light sensitivity up to ISO 25600 and frame rates of up to 5 frames per second.

Nikon D5500 DX-format Digital SLR Body (Black)

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The optical low-pass filter has been removed from the sensor, resulting in increased clarity in both still images and video recordings. In addition to a 39-point autofocus system with nine cross-type sensors and a 2,016-pixel RGB sensor, the D5500 boasts a sophisticated exposure metering system that can be used in a range of lighting settings.

It is possible to shoot full HD films at a variety of frame rates, up to 60 frames per second, including full-time continuous autofocusing capabilities. The D5500 features two audio frequency ranges that may be selected: Wide and Voice. As an added feature, it contains an integrated intervalometer that can record up to 9,999 consecutive exposures at customizable intervals.

Although slightly smaller and lighter than its predecessor, the newly designed camera body incorporates both an optical pentamirror optical viewfinder and a large 3.0″ 1,037k-dot vari-angle touchscreen LCD monitor with a 180-degree swivel design to better support working from both high and low angles when shooting video and still images.

Pinching to zoom, navigating menus, selecting settings, and selecting your focal point are all possible using the touchscreen’s many functionalities. When you move your gaze away from the viewfinder, an eye sensor turns on and off the LCD monitor, activates the Touch feature, and starts the playback function, among other things.

Built-in Wi-Fi allows for enhanced image-sharing features, and when coupled with an Android or iOS mobile device, remote viewing, and control of the shutter release are both accessible from a distance as well.

A comprehensive selection of Picture Control modes, Scene Modes, and Special Effects modes, as well as in-camera picture editing tools, are available for fine-tuning settings before they are shared with other people.

The camera’s built-in HDR and Active D-Lighting modes may also be utilized to maximize exposure results by maintaining highlight and shadow details for a wider range of perceived tones than is otherwise possible.

Nikon D5500 Sensor & Processor

The combined efforts of the 24.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor and the EXPEED 4 processor result in overall high image quality that includes noticeable detail, dynamic range, color accuracy, and low-light sensitivity up to a native ISO 12800, which can be further increased to ISO 25600 with an optional extension.

The sensor’s architecture also does not have an optical low-pass filter, which allows it to capture the maximum degree of sharpness and detail from its subject matter. As a result, the EXPEED 4 CPU provides a significant boost in overall performance across the camera system, including the capability for full HD 1080p movie recording and a full-resolution continuous shooting rate of 5 frames per second.

Nikon D5500 AutoFocus

The camera’s effective autofocus mechanism, which utilizes 39 different AF points, including nine cross-type sensors, to swiftly acquire focus in a variety of lighting settings ranging from -1 to +19 EV, contributes to the great image quality.

When tracking moving subjects, the camera’s 3D tracking mode makes use of the 2,016-pixel RGB sensor, which is normally reserved for exposure metering. This allows the camera to keep a crisp focus on moving targets.

To better fit certain subject matter while working in autofocus modes A or C, you may use the Dynamic-area AF mode. This option lets you pick between nine, twenty-one, or thirty-nine-point arrays for increased subject tracking and identification, even if the subject quickly exits the frame. Single-point AF, 3D tracking, and Auto-area AF are all options, as are a variety of other modes.

When working in live view, whether for still or video photography, a contrast-based AF system is used to acquire focus precisely. This system can also operate in continuous, full-time servo mode, which is more suitable for dealing with subjects that are in motion.

Additionally, when working in live view, four AF-area options are available: face-priority AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, and subject-tracking AF. Face-priority AF is the default setting.

Nikon D5500 LCD

Touchscreen LCD Monitor A 3.2-inch 1030k-dot vari-angle touchscreen LCD monitor with a 180-degree swivel design that allows you to operate from high, low, and front-facing angles with more comfort and efficiency.
The following are some of the touchscreen’s features:

Nikon D5500 Wi-Fi connectivity

The D5500 is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, which allows for easy image transmission and sharing across a wide range of social media platforms. You may use an Android or iOS mobile device to examine the contents of a memory card, choose photographs, and smoothly transfer data between devices so that they can be shared instantly online after the Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility software has been loaded.

Additional features include remote shutter activation and presentation of a live view image from the camera, allowing for remote working from a mobile device or other remote location.

Nikon D5500 Body

A big 3.2-inch 1,037k-dot vari-angle touchscreen LCD monitor is included inside the D5500, despite the fact that it has a relatively small overall form factor. For more precise eye-level viewing and real-time monitoring of subjects, an optional brilliant pentamirror optical viewfinder is also included in the design.

A built-in pop-up flash is also available for additional lighting while working in low-light circumstances, and it is compatible with Nikon’s i-TTL flash metering technology, which allows for more accurate exposure control. A hot shoe may be used to connect to the camera, with an optional external flash for even better lighting control.

Nikon D5500 Video

Several frame rates for full HD 1920 x 1080p recording are supported, including 60, 30, 25, and 24 frames per second. HD 720p and SD 480p recording are also kept in the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec at a variety of frame rates. In addition to face identification and subject tracking, full-time focusing is available throughout the recording, allowing for consistent sharpness across a wide range of subject types.

It is possible to record high-quality sound using a built-in stereo microphone, or alternatively, a microphone input has been integrated into the body design to allow for the use of an external microphone for greater control over audio recordings.

Nikon D5500 Specs

Price
MSRP$899 (body only), $999 (with 18-55mm VR II lens), $1199 (with 18-140mm VR lens)
Body typeCompact SLR
Max resolution6000 x 4000
Other resolutions4496 x 3000, 2992 x 2000
Image ratio w:h3:2
Effective pixels24 megapixels
Sensor photodetectors25 megapixels
Sensor sizeAPS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorExpeed 4
ISOAuto, 100 – 25600
White balance presets12
Custom white balanceYes (1)
Image stabilizationNo
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsFine, Normal, Basic
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View
Digital zoomNo
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points39
Lens mountNikon F
Focal length multiplier1.5×
Articulated LCDFully articulated
Screen size3.2″
Screen dots1,037,000
Touch screenYes
Screen typeTFT LCD monitor
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeOptical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage95%
Viewfinder magnification0.82× (0.55× 35mm Equiv.)
Minimum shutter speed30 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/4000 sec
Aperture priorityYes
Shutter priorityYes
Manual exposure modeYes
Subject/scene modesYes
Built-in flashYes (Pop-up)
Flash range12.00 m (at ISO 100)
External flashYes (Hot-shoe)
Flash modesAuto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear-curtain
Continuous drive5.0 fps
Self-timerYes (2, 5, 10, or 20 sec)
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedSpot
Exposure compensation±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB BracketingYes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Resolutions1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps)
FormatMPEG-4, H.264
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes (mini-HDMI)
Microphone portYes
Headphone portNo
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notesRemote control / photo retrieval via smartphone
Remote controlYes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionEN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)820
Weight (inc. batteries)420 g (0.93 lb / 14.82 oz)
Dimensions124 x 97 x 70 mm (4.88 x 3.82 x 2.76″)
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSNone

Nikon D5500 Price

Joseph
Joseph

Joseph has been a tech photography journalist for over 20 years, covering many product categories. He specializes in timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors, and drones. His deep knowledge of drone technology makes him an indispensable resource for anyone interested in aerial photography. Joseph has contributed to our site since 2008.

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