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Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D6

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD5500NikonD6
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2015June 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions23.5 × 15.6 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution24.2 MP20.8 MP
Largest image6000 × 40005568 × 3712
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–25600100–102400
Sensor detailNikon DX CMOS without an optical low-pass filter; 24.2 million effective pixels globally, 24.16 million in Japanese specifications, and 24.78 million total; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference dataJapan specifies 20.82 million effective and 21.33 million total pixels, rounded to 20.8 million effective globally; sensor-cleaning system. FX, 1.2×, DX, 5:4, 1:1 and 16:9 image areas
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 6000 × 4000 pixels; customisable Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processingLarge NEF RAW at 12 or 14 bits with lossless compression, compression or no compression; medium and small RAW fixed to 12-bit lossless compression. JPEG and RAW plus JPEG; separate JPEG plus JPEG recording with different size/quality settings; Flat and Creative Picture Controls
ISO detailISO 100–25600 in one-third stops; the full range is standard sensitivity rather than an expanded setting; Auto ISOExpanded equivalents ISO 50–3280000; Auto ISO
Image processorEXPEED 4EXPEED 6; Advanced Scene Recognition System
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst5 fps14 fps
Lens detailAutofocus with AF-S, AF-I and, in the updated Japanese compatibility list, AF-P lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedCompatible G/E/D AF NIKKOR lenses, subject to PC lens restrictions; body autofocus motor for compatible screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU AI lenses support aperture-priority/manual; non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; DX lenses use the DX image area
AutofocusMulti-CAM 4800DX; 39 phase-detection points including nine cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C; selectable 39-point or 11-point layouts, dynamic 9/21/39-point areas and 3D tracking. Contrast-detection autofocus in live viewMulti-CAM 37K; 105 selectable cross-type points, including 15 f/8-compatible points. Centre sensitivity -4.5 EV and other points -4 EV at ISO 100, 20°C. Single-point, dynamic 9/25/49/105, 3D tracking, Group-area and auto-area; 17 custom Group-area patterns; eye-priority focusing in auto-area and 3D tracking. Live view uses contrast detection with AF-S/AF-F
Shutter1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third or half stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 second1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; manual exposures extend to 900 seconds; flash sync 1/250 second; electronic front-curtain and electronic shutter options
Burst detailUp to approximately 5 fps for JPEG or 12-bit RAW, 4 fps for 14-bit RAW and 3 fps in continuous low; specified with AF-C, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and default settings; quiet release and interval-timer shootingApproximately 14 fps mechanical with full AF/AE tracking under Nikon's AF-C, S/M, 1/250-second-or-faster test conditions. Silent full-resolution live-view shooting up to 10.5 fps; separate reduced-resolution live-view modes approximately 30 fps at 8 megapixels or 60 fps at 2 megapixels
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation; electronic movie vibration reduction available
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 12 m at ISO 100, 20°C, including manual full output; accessory shoeNo built-in flash; hot shoe and threaded PC sync terminal; optical/radio Nikon CLS with compatible external Speedlights and required accessories
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto, scene and special-effects modes; 2016-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; exposure, white-balance and Active D-Lighting bracketingP/S/A/M; 180000-pixel RGB viewfinder metering with Colour Matrix Metering III, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted modes; ±5 EV stills or ±3 EV video compensation; Active D-Lighting
Video
Highest video resolution1920 × 1080 at 60 fps3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detailH.264 MOV at Full HD 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720p 60p/50p or 640 × 424 at 30p/25p; actual NTSC rates 59.94/29.97/23.976. Up to 29 minutes 59 seconds, reduced to 20 or 10 minutes depending on resolution, frame rate and quality. Photography Blog's Motion JPEG AVI passage differs from Nikon's technical sheetH.264 MOV/MP4 at 4K 30p/25p/24p, Full HD 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p and 720p 60p/50p; actual NTSC rates 59.94/29.97/23.976. Nikon identifies 4K as 1.5× crop and native 1920 × 1080 crop as 3.0×; the latter supports 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p. Maximum recording 29 minutes 59 seconds; 4K up to 144 Mbps; timecode and in-camera time-lapse movies. Cards over 32 GB formatted in-camera allow files over 4 GB without splitting
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones with adjustable sensitivity; external stereo microphone through 3.5 mm input; linear PCM audioBuilt-in stereo microphone; 3.5 mm stereo microphone input and headphone output; adjustable sensitivity and attenuator; linear PCM for MOV or AAC for MP4; photograph voice memos
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots1,037,0002,359,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYes–
Display detailSide-hinged 3.2-inch 3:2 vari-angle touchscreen, approximately 1037000 dots globally, rounded to 1040000 in Japan; 170° viewing angle and 100% coverage; Touch AF, touch shutter, playback gestures and assignable Touch Fn for viewfinder shooting; eye sensor switches display off; dots count subpixelsFixed touch TFT with 170° viewing angle, approximately 100% coverage, 11-level manual brightness and colour adjustment; touch priority image transfer with Ethernet or optional WT-6 connection. Global specifies 2359000 dots, Japan rounds to 2360000; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.82× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 17 mm eyepointPentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage; 0.72× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 17 mm eyepoint; grid overlay
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)820 photographs3580 photographs
Body weight420 g1270 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 5 February 2015; global announcement on 6 January 2015Nikon Japan records sale on 5 June 2020 after postponements from March to May and then June; the original US announcement's April plan is not an actual retail date. Nikon's Japanese announcement explicitly identifies D5 as the previous model
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot with UHS-I support; MMC unsupportedTwo slots each accepting CFexpress Type B or XQD; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG, separate JPEG/JPEG and card copying
PortsHi-Speed USB, HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output, 3.5 mm external stereo microphone input and accessory terminal for optional WR-1/WR-R10 wireless remote, MC-DC2 remote or GP-1/GP-1A GPS; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB Type-C with SuperSpeed USB, mini-HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets, RJ-45 Ethernet with 10/100/1000BASE-T support, ten-pin accessory terminal, PC sync and WT-6 expansion connector; Kensington security lock compatibility
Wireless connectionsBuilt-in IEEE 802.11b/g Wi-Fi for still-image transfer and remote shooting with Wireless Mobile Utility; WPA2-PSK/AES security and WPS. No integrated GPS; optional GP-1/GP-1A accessoryIntegrated 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and SnapBridge; 5 GHz availability depends on region and station mode. Integrated GPS/GLONASS/QZSS positioning, unavailable in some regions; optional WT-6 transmitter for network transfer
Battery life detailEN-EL14a rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 820 CIPA photographs per charge. Photography Blog's 600-shot passage differs from Nikon's specificationsEN-EL18c; approximately 3580 CIPA single-frame photographs, 8670 continuous photographs under Nikon's separate test and 105 minutes of CIPA movie battery life. EN-EL18b/18a/18 also supported, with lower endurance using original EN-EL18
ChargingExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5b adapter with EP-5A power connectorExternal MH-26a charger; optional EH-6c adapter with EP-6 power connector
DimensionsApproximately 124 × 97 × 70 mmApproximately 160 × 163 × 92 mm
Weight detailApproximately 420 g body only or 470 g including battery and SD card, excluding body capApproximately 1270 g body only; 1450 g with battery and two CFexpress cards, excluding body cap and shoe cover
MaterialsMonocoque structure using carbon-fibre composite for front body and front/rear coversMagnesium-alloy body; dust/drip-resistant construction; illuminated controls
ColoursBlack or red; regional body-only and kit availability varies–
In the boxEN-EL14a battery, MH-24 charger, UC-E23 USB cable, EG-CP16 audio-video cable, AN-DC3 strap, BF-1B body cap and DK-25 eyecupEN-EL18c battery, MH-26a charger, UC-E24 USB cable, AN-DC22 strap, DK-27 eyepiece adapter, DK-17F eyepiece, BF-1B body cap, BS-3 shoe cover, BL-6 battery cover and HDMI/USB cable clip

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