Nikon
D5500
Lightweight APS-C DSLR with a tilting touchscreen and excellent image quality per dollar.
$649
Launch priceReleased Jan 2015
Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 11.8 years newer.
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Wins
D5500
Wins
Z5 IIC
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Max video bit rate (420 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD5500
124 × 97 × 70 mm
470 g (1.04 lb / 16.58 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
D5500 is 10mm narrower and 2mm thinner than Z5 IIC but it is also 16mm taller.
D5500 is 150 g lighter than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D5500 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5500
124 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D5500
124 × 70 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5500
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D5500
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 97, 70
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
EVF resolution
2,360,000 vs 1,040,000 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 350 shots — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Weight
470 g vs 620 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Max video bit rate
420 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D5500
Pros
- ✓Very lightweight DSLR
- ✓Tilting touchscreen
- ✓24MP sensor
- ✓Affordable used
Cons
- –Discontinued
- –No 4K
- –Basic AF for action
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5500 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D5500
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D5500 or Z5 IIC?
Z5 IIC scores 9.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for D5500 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D5500 and Z5 IIC?
D5500 is 24.2 MP and Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP, so the Z5 IIC captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5500 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
D5500 does not have IBIS, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5500 or the Z5 IIC?
D5500 reaches 11 fps electronic. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5500 and Z5 IIC?
D5500 weighs 470 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the D5500 is 150 g lighter.
Do the D5500 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
D5500: 4K up to 60p. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the D5500 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
D5500: No. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5500 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the D5500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5500 launched at $649 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The D5500 is $750 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5500 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.