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Nikon

D5200

Mid-range 24MP DX DSLR with 39-point AF, articulating vari-angle LCD, 1080p60 video, and no OLPF sensor.

$799

Launch price

Released Nov 2012

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vs

Nikon

D5500

Lightweight APS-C DSLR with a tilting touchscreen and excellent image quality per dollar.

$649

Launch price

Released Jan 2015

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D5500 is 2.2 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

D5200

★ Wildlife★ Travel

Wins

2categories

D5500

★ Travel★ Wildlife

13 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

D5200 wins 3 categories·D5500 wins 2 categories
  • AD5200 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AD5200 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
  • AD5200 has higher Burst (electronic) (15 fps vs 11 fps)
  • BD5500 has lower Weight (470 g vs 520 g)
  • BD5500 has higher Resolution (24.2 MP vs 24.1 MP)

Key specs at a glance

D5200D5500
Resolution24.1 MP24.2 MP
SensorAPS-CAPS-C
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst15 fps11 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS6-stopNo
Weight520 g470 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

D5200

138 × 98 × 88 mm

520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

D5500

124 × 97 × 70 mm

470 g (1.04 lb / 16.58 oz)

D5200 is 14mm wider, 1mm taller, and 18mm thicker than D5500.

D5200 is 50 g heavier than D5500.

Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5200 · 70mm D5500

Sensor size, to scale

D5200

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

D5500

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

D5200

✓ more lenses

Nikon F

270+

native lenses available

90 first-party180 third-party

D5500

✓ more lenses

Nikon F

270+

native lenses available

90 first-party180 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseD5200D5500
Portrait
6.5Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent✓ wins
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Landscape
5.0Fair✓ wins
1.5Limited
Travel
8.5Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Wildlife
9.0Excellent✓ wins
6.0Good
Vlogging
7.0Good✓ wins
6.0Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

D5200

  • IBIS effectiveness

    6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138, 98, 88

  • Animal / bird AF

    Only D5200 supports it

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only D5200 supports it

  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)

    Only D5200 supports it

  • Weather sealing

    Only D5200 supports it

  • Card slots

    2 vs 1 — higher is better

  • Touchscreen

    Only D5200 supports it

Reasons to choose

D5500

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 124, 97, 70

  • AA filter

    Only D5500 supports it

  • Weight

    470 g vs 520 g — lower is better

  • Resolution

    24.2 MP vs 24.1 MP — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
  • ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
  • ✓AF points / zones — Both 493
  • ✓AF frame coverage — Both 90 %
  • ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
  • ✓Burst (mechanical) — Both 6 fps

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

D5200

Pros

  • ✓39-point AF (9 cross-type)
  • ✓Articulating vari-angle LCD
  • ✓24.1MP no OLPF sensor
  • ✓1080p60 video
  • ✓Good step-up from D3xxx

Cons

  • –Single SD slot
  • –No 4K
  • –Superseded by D5300/D5500/D5600
  • –DSLR platform declining

D5500

Pros

  • ✓Very lightweight DSLR
  • ✓Tilting touchscreen
  • ✓24MP sensor
  • ✓Affordable used

Cons

  • –Discontinued
  • –No 4K
  • –Basic AF for action

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the D5200 and D5500 at major authorized retailers.

Nikon D5200

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Nikon D5500

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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

✓ = category winner

D5200
D5500
Resolution
24.1 MP
24.2 MP✓
Sensor type
APS-C CMOS
APS-C CMOS
Sensor size
23.5 × 15.6 mm
23.5 × 15.6 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
D5200
D5500
Processor
EXPEED 3
EXPEED 7
D5200
D5500
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
D5200
D5500
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for sports, D5200 or D5500?

D5200 scores 8.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for D5500 — 15fps burst — fast action ready.

What's the resolution difference between the D5200 and D5500?

D5200 is 24.1 MP and D5500 is 24.2 MP, so the D5500 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the D5200 and D5500 have in-body image stabilization?

D5200 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while D5500 does not have IBIS.

Which shoots faster bursts — the D5200 or the D5500?

D5200 reaches 15 fps electronic. D5500 reaches 11 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the D5200 and D5500?

D5200 weighs 520 g and D5500 weighs 470 g, so the D5500 is 50 g lighter.

Do the D5200 and D5500 record 4K video?

D5200: 4K up to 60p. D5500: 4K up to 60p.

Are the D5200 and D5500 weather sealed?

D5200: Yes. D5500: No.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5200 and 640 shots for the D5500, giving the D5500 the edge.

How much does each cost?

D5200 launched at $799 and D5500 at $649. The D5500 is $150 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way D5200 vs D5500 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.