Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5500 and Nikon D7100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D5500 were released 2015 and Nikon D7100 was released 2013. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D5500 2015
Nikon D7100 2013

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D5500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D7100 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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Nikon D5500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D7100 has 24,1 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
Nikon D7100 24,1 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

ISO range

Nikon D5500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D7100. Nikon D5500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D7100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D5500 100-25600
Nikon D7100 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D7100 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 Nikon D7100

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 Nikon D7100 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5500 5
Nikon D7100 6

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D5500 and Nikon D7100 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 D7100 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 D5500 420 gr
0.93 lb
Nikon D7100 675 gr
1.49 lb

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon D7100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5500 and Nikon D7100, 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 D5500
Nikon D7100
Name Nikon D5500 Nikon D7100
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
Release Year 2015 2013
Release Date 2015-01-06 2013-02-21
MSRP 899 USD 1199 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 24,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 EXPEED 3
Image
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
Autofocus Motor No Yes
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
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 39 51
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 D5500
Nikon D7100
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3,2”
Screen dots 1037000 1228800
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD Monitor Wide Viewing Angle TFT-LCD monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.) 0.94×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
Frames per second 5 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-In
Yes
Wireless WR-1 and WR-R10
Remote Control Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
Yes (Optional, wired MC-DC2 or wireless WR-1 and WR-R10 )
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D5500
Nikon D7100
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 820 shots 950 shots
Width 124 mm 136 mm
Height 97 mm 107 mm
Depth 70 mm 76 mm
Weight 420 gram 675 gram