Nikon
D5500
Lightweight APS-C DSLR with a tilting touchscreen and excellent image quality per dollar.
$649
Launch priceReleased Jan 2015
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Z8 is 8.3 years newer.
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.
Wins
D5500
Wins
Z8
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
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
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
D5500 is 20mm narrower, 22mm shorter, and 13mm thinner than Z8.
D5500 is 350 g lighter than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D5500 · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5500
124 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z8
144 × 119 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
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z8
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
Z8
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
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 97, 70
AA filter
Only D5500 supports it
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 340 shots — higher is better
Weight
470 g vs 820 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z8
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Z8 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 493
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
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
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5500 and Z8 at major authorized retailers.
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
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, D5500 or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 1.5/10 for D5500 — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the D5500 and Z8?
D5500 is 24.2 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5500 and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
D5500 does not have IBIS, while Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5500 or the Z8?
D5500 reaches 11 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5500 and Z8?
D5500 weighs 470 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the D5500 is 350 g lighter.
Do the D5500 and Z8 record 4K video?
D5500: 4K up to 60p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5500 and Z8 weather sealed?
D5500: No. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5500 and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the D5500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5500 launched at $649 and Z8 at $3,999. The D5500 is $3,350 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5500 vs Z8 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.