Nikon
D5500
Lightweight APS-C DSLR with a tilting touchscreen and excellent image quality per dollar.
$649
Launch priceReleased Jan 2015
Nikon
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Z9 is 6.8 years newer.
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Wins
D5500
Wins
Z9
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- AD5500 has lower Weight (470 g vs 1160 g)
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
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
D5500 is 25mm narrower, 53mm shorter, and 21mm thinner than Z9.
D5500 is 690 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D5500 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5500
124 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 150 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
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z9
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
Z9
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
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Weight
470 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
AA filter
Only D5500 supports it
Reasons to choose
Z9
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 149, 149.5, 90.5
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only Z9 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
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5500 and Z9 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, D5500 or Z9?
Z9 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 Z9?
D5500 is 24.2 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5500 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
D5500 does not have IBIS, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5500 or the Z9?
D5500 reaches 11 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5500 and Z9?
D5500 weighs 470 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the D5500 is 690 g lighter.
Do the D5500 and Z9 record 4K video?
D5500: 4K up to 60p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5500 and Z9 weather sealed?
D5500: No. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5500 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5500 launched at $649 and Z9 at $5,499. The D5500 is $4,850 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5500 vs Z9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.