Nikon D5500 vs Nikon Df

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D5500 and Nikon Df. 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 Df 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 Df 2013

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 Nikon Df has a "Nikon FX"-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
Nikon Df 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 D5500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Df has 16 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 Df 16 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280

Nikon D5500 has a 48 % larger resolution than Nikon Df. 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 Nikon Df. Nikon D5500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon Df has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D5500 100-25600
Nikon Df 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

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

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 Df can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D5500 5
Nikon Df 5,5

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D5500. Unfortunately Nikon Df does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 Df weighs 760 gr (equal to 1.68 lb) which is 81% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D5500 420 gr
0.93 lb
Nikon Df 760 gr
1.68 lb

Nikon D5500 vs Nikon Df Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D5500 and Nikon Df, 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 Df
Name Nikon D5500 Nikon Df
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
Release Year 2015 2013
Release Date 2015-01-06 2013-11-05
MSRP 899 USD 2749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4928 x 3280 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 16 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 EXPEED 3
Image
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 12800
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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
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 39
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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 3,2”
Screen dots 1037000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD Monitor TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
Frames per second 5 fps 5,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Built-In
Yes
Optional via WU-1a wireless mobile adapter
Remote Control Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
Yes (Cable release, wireless remote)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D5500
Nikon Df
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL14/EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 820 shots 1400 shots
Width 124 mm 144 mm
Height 97 mm 110 mm
Depth 70 mm 67 mm
Weight 420 gram 760 gram