Nikon D5500 vs Canon EOS 550D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5500 and Canon EOS 550D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D5500

Canon EOS 550D

Manufacturing

Nikon D5500 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 550D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon D5500 were released 2015 and Canon EOS 550D was released 2010. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D5500	2015
Canon EOS 550D	2010

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D5500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Canon EOS 550D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 D5500	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 550D	80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon D5500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 550D has 18,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon D5500	24 MP 24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000
Canon EOS 550D	18,7 MP 17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456

Nikon D5500 has a 34 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 550D. 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 550D. Nikon D5500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D5500	100-25600
Canon EOS 550D	100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 550D 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 D5500
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 550D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D5500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5500	5
Canon EOS 550D	3,7

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D5500 and Canon EOS 550D 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.

Canon EOS 550D weighs 510 gr (equal to 1.12 lb) which is 21% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D5500	420 gr 0.93 lb
Canon EOS 550D	510 gr 1.12 lb