Nikon
D5500
Lightweight APS-C DSLR with a tilting touchscreen and excellent image quality per dollar.
$649
Launch priceReleased Jan 2015
Nikon
Zf
Retro-styled 24.5MP full-frame mirrorless with classic dials, EXPEED 7 AF, 8-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p video.
$2,049
Launch priceReleased Sep 2023
Zf is 8.7 years newer.
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Wins
D5500
Wins
Zf
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZf has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZf has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZf has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- BZf has higher Burst (mechanical) (14 fps vs 6 fps)
- BZf has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
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
Zf
144 × 103 × 49 mm
710 g (1.57 lb / 25.04 oz)
D5500 is 20mm narrower and 6mm shorter than Zf but it is also 21mm thicker.
D5500 is 240 g lighter than Zf.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D5500 · 49mm Zf
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5500
124 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Zf
144 × 103 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
Zf
144 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Zf
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
Zf
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 710 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Zf
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 103, 49
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
14 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓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
Zf
Pros
- ✓Beautiful retro design
- ✓273-point hybrid AF
- ✓8-stop IBIS
- ✓Fully articulated touchscreen
Cons
- –No grip extension standard
- –Mixed SD + MicroSD card slots
- –24.5MP only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5500 and Zf 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 Zf?
Zf scores 7.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for D5500 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.
What's the resolution difference between the D5500 and Zf?
D5500 is 24.2 MP and Zf is 24.5 MP, so the Zf captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5500 and Zf have in-body image stabilization?
D5500 does not have IBIS, while Zf has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5500 or the Zf?
D5500 reaches 11 fps electronic. Zf reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5500 and Zf?
D5500 weighs 470 g and Zf weighs 710 g, so the D5500 is 240 g lighter.
Do the D5500 and Zf record 4K video?
D5500: 4K up to 60p. Zf: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D5500 and Zf weather sealed?
D5500: No. Zf: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D5500 and 380 shots for the Zf, giving the D5500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5500 launched at $649 and Zf at $2,049. The D5500 is $1,400 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5500 vs Zf vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.