Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D5500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 5D and Nikon D5500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 5D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D5500 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 5D were released 2005 and Nikon D5500 was released 2015. That is a 10 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 5D 2005
Nikon D5500 2015

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 5D has a "Canon Full Frame"-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 **
Canon EOS 5D 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 (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 5D has a 12,7 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
Canon EOS 5D 12,7 MP
12719616 pixels
4368 x 2912
Nikon D5500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D5500 has a 89 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 5D. 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 D5500 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5D. Nikon D5500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 5D has 50 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 5D 50-3200
Nikon D5500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 5D 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 Canon EOS 5D
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. Canon EOS 5D can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 5D 3
Nikon D5500 5

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D5500. Sadly, the Canon EOS 5D does not support this.

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.

Canon EOS 5D weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 113% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 5D 895 gr
1.97 lb
Nikon D5500 420 gr
0.93 lb

Canon EOS 5D vs Nikon D5500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 5D 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
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Name Canon EOS 5D Nikon D5500
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Release Year 2005 2015
Release Date 2005-08-22 2015-01-06
MSRP 3299 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4368 x 2912 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 12,7 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 2 EXPEED 4
Image
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
ISO Range 50 - 3200 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 39
Lens Mount Canon EF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 2,5” 3,2”
Screen dots 230000 1037000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT liquid-crystal color LCD TFT LCD Monitor
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Frames per second 3 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
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes (N3 connector) Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 5D
Nikon D5500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 400 shots 820 shots
Width 152 mm 124 mm
Height 113 mm 97 mm
Depth 75 mm 70 mm
Weight 895 gram 420 gram