Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D5500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z7 and Nikon D5500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z7 were released 2018 and Nikon D5500 was released 2015. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z7 2018
Nikon D5500 2015

Type of camera

Nikon Z7 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z7 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D5500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon Z7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D5500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon Z7 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z7 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Nikon D5500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon Z7 has a 89 % larger resolution than Nikon D5500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z7 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5500. Nikon Z7 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Nikon D5500 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z7 64-25600
Nikon D5500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon Z7 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5500 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z7
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z7 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z7 9
Nikon D5500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon Z7 and Nikon D5500 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon Z7 weighs 675 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 61% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z7 675 gr
1.49 lb
Nikon D5500 420 gr
0.93 lb

Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D5500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z7 and Nikon D5500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Name Nikon Z7 Nikon D5500
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Release Year 2018 2015
Release Date 2018-08-23 2015-01-06
MSRP 3399 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 EXPEED 4
Image
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
ISO Range 64 - 25600 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 493 39
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3,2”
Screen dots 2100000 1037000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD Monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 0
Photography features
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Frames per second 9 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Memory Card XQD SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z7
Nikon D5500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 820 shots
Width 134 mm 124 mm
Height 101 mm 97 mm
Depth 68 mm 70 mm
Weight 675 gram 420 gram