Nikon
D5500
Lightweight APS-C DSLR with a tilting touchscreen and excellent image quality per dollar.
$649
Launch priceReleased Jan 2015
Nikon
ZR
Compact Nikon RED full-frame 6K cinema camera with R3D NE RAW, 32-bit float audio, 7.5-stop VR, and Z mount.
$2,199
Launch priceReleased Sep 2025
ZR is 10.7 years newer.
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Wins
D5500
Wins
ZR
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZR has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZR has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZR has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BZR 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
ZR
134 × 81 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
D5500 is 10mm narrower than ZR but it is also 17mm taller and 21mm thicker.
D5500 is 160 g lighter than ZR.
Depth (front-to-back): 70mm D5500 · 49mm ZR
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5500
124 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
ZR
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
ZR
134 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5500
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
ZR
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
ZR
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
Weight
470 g vs 630 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
ZR
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.5, 49
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, MicroSD UHS-I
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ…
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Animal / bird AF
Only ZR supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓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
ZR
Pros
- ✓6K/60p R3D NE RAW
- ✓32-bit float audio
- ✓7.5-stop stabilization
- ✓Compact 535g cinema body
Cons
- –No built-in EVF
- –Cinema-first ergonomics
- –Single CFexpress plus MicroSD workflow
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5500 and ZR at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D5500 or ZR?
ZR 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 ZR?
D5500 is 24.2 MP and ZR is 24.5 MP, so the ZR captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5500 and ZR have in-body image stabilization?
D5500 does not have IBIS, while ZR has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5500 or the ZR?
D5500 reaches 11 fps electronic. ZR reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5500 and ZR?
D5500 weighs 470 g and ZR weighs 630 g, so the D5500 is 160 g lighter.
Do the D5500 and ZR record 4K video?
D5500: 4K up to 60p. ZR: 6K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5500 and ZR weather sealed?
D5500: No. ZR: Yes.
How much does each cost?
D5500 launched at $649 and ZR at $2,199. The D5500 is $1,550 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5500 vs ZR vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.