Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100: A Detailed Comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100: Two Nikon cameras. Both with a 24.0MP APS-C sensor. How does the Nikon D7100 compare to the Nikon D5500? Here’s a quick overview of the main features before we go into more detail.

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 Specs

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 – Comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 – Comparison

 Specifications

Nikon D5500

Nikon D7100

Megapixels 24.2 24.1
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Sensor Format APS-C (DX) APS-C (DX)
Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
AA Filter None None
Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Body Image Stabilization No No
Lens Mount Nikon FX/DX Nikon FX/DX
ISO 100 – 25,600 100 – 6,400
Expanded ISO No 25,600
AF Points 39 51
Cross-type AF Points 9 15
Continuous Mode 5fps 6fps
LCD 3.2″ – Fully Articulated 3.2″ – Fixed
LCD Resolution 1,036,800 dots 1,228,800 dots
Touchscreen Yes No
Focus Peaking No No
Top LCD Display No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical Optical
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.82x 0.94x
Video Resolution 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p) 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p)
1280×720 (60/50p) 1280×720 (60/50p)
Microphone Jack Yes Yes
Headphone Jack No Yes
Memory Card Type SD SD + SD
Dual Card Slots No Yes
SD UHS Support UHS-I UHS-I
Fastest Shutter Speed 1/4000 1/8000
Slowest Shutter Speed 30″ 30″
Bulb Mode Yes Yes
JPEG Buffer Size 100 12
RAW Buffer Size 7 5
Time Lapse Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Max Flash Sync Speed 1/200 1/250
Startup Time 0.4s 0.3s
Built-in Wi-Fi Yes No
Built-in GPS No No
Built-in NFC No No
Bluetooth No No
USB Type USB 2.0 USB 2.0
Environmentally Sealed No Yes
Battery Life (CIPA) 820 shots 950 shots
Battery Included Yes (EN-EL14a) Yes (EN-EL15)
Weight 14.8 oz (420g) 27.0 oz (765g)
Size 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8″ 5.3 x 4.2 x 3.0″
Price Amazon Amazon
Release Date 2015 2013

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 Common Features

Built-in Flash Yes vs Yes
External Flash Shoe Yes vs Yes
Viewfinder Yes (Optical) vs Yes (Optical)
RAW Support Yes vs Yes
Face Detection Focus Yes vs Yes
Max Resolution 24 MP vs 24 MP
LCD Screen Size 3.2″ vs 3.2″
LCD Screen Resolution 1.037k dots vs 1.229k dots
Continuous Shooting 5.0fps vs 6.0fps
Microphone Port Yes vs Yes
Timelapse Recording Yes vs Yes
AE Bracketing Yes vs Yes

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 Common Weaknesses

Image Stabilization No vs No

Size Comparison

With regard to size, the Nikon D5500 is the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 12mm narrower, 10mm shorter and 6mm thinner than Nikon D7100. It is also noticeably lighter. The Nikon D5500 is 345g lighter than the Nikon D7100.

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 – Comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 – Comparison

Sensor Comparison

Both cameras have identical sensors. They both have an APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensor. Both the Nikon D7100 and Nikon D5500 sensors lack anti-alias (Low-Pass) filters. They offer the same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. They use the same lenses.

Why You Should Choose The Nikon D5500

Wireless Connection Built-In vs Optional
Articulating Screen Yes vs No
Touch Screen Yes vs No
Max ISO 25.600 vs 6.400
Weight 420 g vs 765 g
Dynamic Range 14.0 vs 13.7
Low Light ISO 1438 vs 1256
Price $700 vs $1,197
 Selfie Friendly LCD Yes vs No

Advantages of the Nikon D5500 Over Nikon D7100

  • LCD – It’s fully articulated.
  • Touchscreen Support
  • JPEG Buffer Size – 100 vs 12.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Weight – The Nikon D5500 weighs 345g less.
  • Size – The Nikon D5500 is noticeably smaller.

Video: Nikon D5500 Hands-on Review

Why You Should Choose The Nikon D7100

Number of Focus Points 51 vs 39
Number of Cross Type Focus Points 15 vs 9
LCD Screen Resolution 1.229k dots vs 1.037k dots
Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 95%
Max Shutter Speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Continuous Shooting 6.0fps vs 5.0fps
Battery Life 950 shots vs 820 shots
Headphone Port Yes vs No
Environmental Sealing Yes vs No
Color Depth 24.2 vs 24.1
Top LCD Yes vs No
Optical Viewfinder Type Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
AF Micro Adjustment (Fine Tune) Yes vs No
Shutter Life Expectancy 150000 cycles vs 100000 cycles
AF Motor in body Yes vs No
Storage Slot vs 1
Min Focus Sensitivity EV -2 vs EV -1
Autofocus at f/8 aperture Center point vs none

Advantages of the Nikon D7100 Over the Nikon D5500

  • AF Points – 51 vs 39.
  • Cross-type AF Points – 15 vs 9.
  • Continuous Mode – 6fps vs 5fps. It’s an advantage, but not something you will really notice that often.
  • LCD Resolution – Higher resolution
  • Top LCD Display – When shooting in semi-auto/manual modes, you can quickly preview all of your settings.
  • Viewfinder Coverage – 100% vs 95%.
  • Viewfinder Magnification – Higher magnification.
  • Headphone Jack – Useful for previewing your audio quality straight out the camera.
  • Dual Card Slots – More room for extra photos, or simply for backup.
  • Faster Max Shutter Speed – 1/8000 vs 1/4000.
  • Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/250 vs 1/200.
  • Environmentally Sealed – The Nikon D7100 is more suited for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.
  • Battery Life – 950 shots vs 820 shots.

Video: Nikon D7100 Hands-on Review

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