Nikon
D5500
Lightweight APS-C DSLR with a tilting touchscreen and excellent image quality per dollar.
$649
Launch priceReleased Jan 2015
Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 9.4 years newer.
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Wins
D5500
Wins
Z6 III
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- BZ6 III has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
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
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D5500 is 15mm narrower, 5mm shorter, and 4mm thinner than Z6 III.
D5500 is 290 g lighter than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D5500 · 74mm Z6 III
Sensor size, to scale
D5500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z6 III
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
Z6 III
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…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 97, 70
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 380 shots — higher is better
Weight
470 g vs 760 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, H.265/HEVC…
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 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
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
- ✓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
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5500 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D5500
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D5500 or Z6 III?
Z6 III scores 10.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for D5500 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D5500 and Z6 III?
D5500 is 24.2 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the Z6 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5500 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D5500 does not have IBIS, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5500 or the Z6 III?
D5500 reaches 11 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5500 and Z6 III?
D5500 weighs 470 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the D5500 is 290 g lighter.
Do the D5500 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D5500: 4K up to 60p. Z6 III: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5500 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D5500: No. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5500 and 380 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D5500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5500 launched at $649 and Z6 III at $2,499. The D5500 is $1,850 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5500 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.