Nikon D810A vs Nikon D5500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D810A and Nikon D5500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

These two camera models were both released 2015.

Camera Released
Nikon D810A 2015
Nikon D5500 2015

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D810A 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 D810A 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 D810A has a 36 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 D810A 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon D5500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D810A has a 51 % 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 D5500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D810A. Nikon D5500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D810A has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D810A 200-12800
Nikon D5500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Nikon D810A 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 D810A
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 D810A can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D810A 5
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 D810A 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 D810A weighs 880 gr (equal to 1.94 lb) which is 110% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D810A 880 gr
1.94 lb
Nikon D5500 420 gr
0.93 lb

Nikon D810A vs Nikon D5500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D810A 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 D810A
Nikon D5500
Name Nikon D810A Nikon D5500
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D810A
Nikon D5500
Release Year 2015 2015
Release Date 2015-02-10 2015-01-06
MSRP 3799 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D810A
Nikon D5500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D810A
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 7360 x 4912 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 36 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 4 EXPEED 4
Image
Nikon D810A
Nikon D5500
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 25600
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 + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D810A
Nikon D5500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 51 39
Lens Mount Nikon F

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 D810A
Nikon D5500
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 3.2” 3,2”
Screen dots 1229000 1037000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT-LCD (RGBW) TFT LCD Monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (tunnel) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Nikon D810A
Nikon D5500
Frames per second 5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D810A
Nikon D5500
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 D810A
Nikon D5500
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D810A
Nikon D5500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
GPS Yes
Optional via GP-1 or GP-1A
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D810A
Nikon D5500
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1200 shots 820 shots
Width 146 mm 124 mm
Height 123 mm 97 mm
Depth 82 mm 70 mm
Weight 880 gram 420 gram