Nikon D5500 Hands-On Field Test

While we've been producing TCSTV for nearly five years, we've never once looked at a Nikon 5000 series DSLR. It's time to rectify that, as the D5500 has an improved grip and new touch screen controls. With so many great options in this price range, can the Nikon D5500 set itself apart?

Graded With SpeedLooks

Shot by Levi Holwell
Edited by Jordan Drake
Shot on the Sony FS700

[clearevil]

Picked my 5500 last November, and OMG I am in love with it. I have owned more expensive full frame cameras, but the weight and size was always a problem. I needed one that I could take anywhere and still take professional quality pictures, and this is the camera i was looking for. It has benefits and drawbacks like any camera, but the quality of pictures and small light frame makes it a great backup camera. Thanks for the review

[Reflection_Wave]

In my life any of DSLR i have never owned but I do love taking pictures where ever I go with my smart phone. Last 2 months ago I bought this camera Nikon D5500 as a beginner and I learnt everywhere on the internet or You tube. it's really cool camera, battery life is impressive and I am still learning. Thanks for your review I feel safe for owning this camera and I'll never regret to paying for this, I love it.

[blurayffan]

Your reviews are always so detailed and in depth- and balanced. I love how you give every camera a fair chance and don't just dismiss it outright like others.

[surajpandit]

D5500 is my first DSLR camera it's awesome sharp and crips photo i love this

[ruffdraft]

Great camera as a first DSLR for a beginner. Enjoying it since I bought it late 2015

[dL]

I have a D5000 which I bought back in '09 and I love it, it's an excellent camera, but for compactness I will get a A6000 or OM-D E-M10 this year. 

[MonteOlsen]

Really appreciate your sacrifices to get this done. Honestly, it doesn't look like a big enough step up, even from a D5100, to make the jump. Photo quality is not that different from what I can see, thanks again for another honest video.

[atrisharma]

I never realised how cold Canada is until I started watching your videos. You're always in snow !

[smalltalk.productions]

still relevant. thanks for the effort and the sharing. thumbs up.

[saintsfisherman]

Thanks a ton for this video! this is exactly what I am thinking of buying. I want to take photos, and this will be my first camera, and your video I believe has showed me this is the correct one for me. Is there a easy to understand lens to camera chart out there? I just want to make sure I can get a few more lenses down the road, once I am ready to do a little bit of landscape and wildlife photography.

[tomscott]

I looked hard at this camera and several others before pulling the trigger on a Fuji X-E2.  (The retro looks, IQ, and amazing lens set won me over) The touch screen and carbon fiber were nice touches but in the end the cost/benefit was just not there for me.  If I had gone this route I would have opted for the D5300 and a bunch of lenses.  Better value.  As always, great job on the video.

[stevieh]

Great review guys. Recently got this camera and I'm very impressed, canon will find it hard to beat at this level. The hand grip and touch screen interface are great as well as its compact size

[magner]

Ahh this is so hard. I'm so close to buying the D7200 but the touchscreen interphase on this camera is sooo tempting. I'd love to get some opinions.

[tungstenwhizard]

As a amateur photographer, I want a step-up from my current Sony HX400v (a bridge, superzoom point and shoot that does very well for photos requiring zoom, but quality diminishes in low light because of the miniscule sensor). I've been looking for a camera with good low-light performance (doesn't have to accommodate super low light, though), sharp and clear image quality and portability, as I love taking pictures anywhere and everywhere. I've notched down my list to several options:
1. Sony A6000/A3000 - Great specs + portability, with downsides being that the lenses are expensive, and the addition of slightly fine-tuned specs makes the A6300 nearly twice as expensive as it's predecessor. Seen many good reviews based on these cameras for both video and stills, and seeing as I'm familiar with Sony, I think it is a good choice.
2. Nikon D5500 (camera that is reviewed in this video) - I've never handled a DSLR, or an interchangeable lens camera for that matter...but I've read many websites that state that the Nikon D3k and D5k lines are good entry-level options. Because of it's size, it's slightly less portable than the A6k, but it has the potential advantages of being a DSLR with a better viewfinder and battery life (yes, I admit. The Sony cameras have sucky battery-life.) and I think Nikon has a better lens selection than Sony.
3. Canon 70D - this is more the camera my brother is hounding me to get (because for some reason, he _hates_ the A6K a lot). And I can definitely see the edge it poses: Huge Canon lens selection, touchscreen, better viewfinder, good film-making qualities etc. It's a great camera, and has a lot of features either the Nikon or the Sony's lack: Top view control panel and weather-sealing.
Not thrilled with:
Any of the Rebel cameras really
GH4 (much smaller sensor, and I don't need 4K)
A6500 (too expensive)
A7Rii (actually a dream purchase, and by dream I mean impossible - it's literally $3k. No heck of a way I can pay that.)
Sony Rx100 series or Canon GX series (would prefer a interchangeable lens camera).

Of the three, the Sony is my top choice, but the Nikon is cheaper and also a seemingly good purchase. Canon is a last resort if either the aforementioned cameras don't succeed in convincing my (a-hole) brother.
Your opinion (from anyone) would be great. Thank you!

[legacyMedia]

Still using the Nikon D5100 and I can't wait to get my hands on that camera.

[TheDemocraticNationalCommittee]

Thank you for another great video. Chris, I know your good looking hair is part of the video, but may I suggest a head gear next time? 40%body heat will escape through head and neck area.

[ruffdraft]

Great walk around camera for black and white urban photography

[rayensalt]

Can't wait for you guys review Samsung NX500. Great work!

[justjames]

Very infomative and captivating review, lots of attention to detail to inform the consumer of the prodcuct, great video :D

[ejbernal]

I do find it funny that The Camera Store TV really goes out of its way to pump up mirrorless, while DigitalRev TV does the exact opposite by championing DSLR. Not a knock, but just pretty funny...."You know, this Nikon is an excellent camera, but you know, with