Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – A Detailed Comparison

One is a pro mirrorless camera, the other is an entry-level DSLR; the Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 comparison we will be doing today is a battle of completely contrasting cameras.

Today’s article promises to be a really interesting read. We will be examining cameras with different body types, different mechanisms, and different primary purposes.

So, if you want to see how these cameras do when placed side by side with each other, make sure to stick with us all the way to the end. However, if you want to make a quick decision, the next three sections of this article are your best guide. Let us get to it!

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Table of Contents

Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Comparison Overview

Like we have said, these cameras have different bodies. And well, in addition to that, they are also made by different companies – two of the biggest in the camera world, in fact; we are talking Sony and Nikon.

These two companies, having been around for decades, have grown into household names in the camera business. However, Nikon have been around longer, a lot longer, and thus, are the more experienced brand of the two. So, if we were to place a finger on the stronger camera brand, it would surely be Nikon.

Now, the Sony a7 comes with an electronic viewfinder, while the Nikon D5500 comes with an optical one. This is primarily because the earlier one is a mirrorless camera, while the latter is a DSLR camera.

However, it is rather surprising that, in spite of the Nikon D5500 being the DSLR camera, it is the lighter one. DSLRs typically weigh more than mirrorless cameras because of their mirror mechanisms, but apparently, that is not the case in this Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 comparison.

Anyway, the Nikon D5500 did not fail to deliver in the aspect of battery life. DSLRs are known for their long lasting batteries, and the Nikon D5500, with a battery that lasts more than two times longer than that of the Sony a7, did not fail to deliver on that.

But when it comes to focusing, the Sony a7 is by far the better camera. You get 78 more focus points with this camera than with the Nikon D5500. Also, being the only pro camera of the two, it is not surprising that the Sony a7 is the only one with a weather sealed body.

In addition to that, the a7 allows you shoot better with auto exposure bracketing. More so, it helps you transfer files more easily to nearby devices because of the near field communication (NFC) technology it comes with.

As expected, the Nikon D5500 is the more affordable camera. However, we think that in spite of this price gap – over 200 dollars – both these cameras have the same price-value ratio.

The Nikon D5500 is a well-functioning, pretty affordable, entry-level, DSLR camera, while the Sony a7 is a well-functioning, pretty affordable, pro, mirrorless camera; and each of them, for their prices, will be giving you great value – which, however, will be giving you more value for your money, we can’t tell. Anyway, to see more ways these very different cameras compare, check out the next section.

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Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Comparison Table

 

Sony a7

Nikon D5500

Camera weight 1.05 (474 grams) 0.93 pounds (420 grams)
Camera dimensions 5 by 1.9 by 3.7 inches 4.9 by 2.8 by 3.8 inches
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Touch screen No Yes
Viewfinder Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
In-built flash No Yes
Focus points 117 39
Headphone jack Yes No
Near field communication Yes No
Time-lapse recording No Yes
Weather sealing Yes No
Panorama Yes No
JPEG buffer 50 shots 100 shots
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Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Which Is Better Under What Circumstance?

Sony a7

Nikon D5500

The Sony a7 has three times as many focus points as the Nikon D3300, therefore, if you are looking for the camera that will be giving you better focusing, this is your better bet. If you want a camera you can operate like a smartphone, then look no further than the Nikon D5500. This camera is the only one of the two – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – with a touch screen, so it is the only one that will be giving you that extra convenience in operation.
If you need a camera for wildlife photography, sports photography, photo journalism, or other types of intense use, the Sony a7 is the camera we recommend for you. This camera is the only pro camera of the two – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – and will be withstanding more intense use than its counterpart. If you are new to photography, and you need something to learn with, the Nikon D5500 is the one for you. This camera is an entry-level camera, which means that it was made primarily for beginners and amateur photographers.                                       
This camera comes with the near filed communication (NFC) technology, and so, if you want a camera with which you can create a quick, one touch, wireless connection, then the Sony a7 is just the right one. Per full charge of the Nikon D5500’s battery, you can take more than twice the number of shots you are able to take per full charge of that of the Sony a7. So, if you are looking for a camera you can use for long hours, then the Nikon D5500 is the one for you.
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In a bit, we will be talking about the features you can get in both of these cameras, but before we get into that, let us quickly examine some basic things about them. So, the first is that the Sony a7 is a pro camera, while the Nikon D5500 is an entry-level one. Let us now discuss them side by side.


Pro vs Entry-Level Cameras

Pro cameras are cameras made for very intense usage, and so, as a result of this, they have durable bodies, and are usually expensive. These cameras may be too complicated for you to operate if you do not know too much about cameras. They are called pro cameras basically because they are made for professional use.

Entry-level cameras, on the other hand, are pretty easy to use. Without much knowledge of cameras and photography, you can surely get around using an entry-level camera. Also, if you need a camera for casual or personal use – like vacationing, hiking, and all that – an entry-level camera would be your best bet.

Entry-level cameras are usually affordable, and are not as durable as pro cameras. This is the reason you will, for example, hardly find an entry-level camera with a weather sealed body.

All that having been said, we assume we are all on the same page on what entry-level cameras and pro cameras are, especially when compared with each other. Now, we can go on to compare another two basic things about these cameras.


DSLR vs Mirrorless Cameras

Digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are cameras that are made with mirror mechanisms. In these cameras, light is picked up by the camera’s lens, and is then sent to the mirrors, which then bounces the image off to the optical viewfinder where the images can be framed.

In mirrorless cameras, however, the process is different. Mirrorless cameras do not have mirrors, so, light is sent straight from their lenses to the sensors, which then send the images to the electronic viewfinder, or in the absence of that, the LCD screen.

The most noticeable difference between these two camera types is the viewfinder. An optical viewfinder, which shows you the exact image as it is being captured by the camera’s lens, is exclusive to DSLRs. An electronic viewfinder, on the other hand, is exclusive to mirrorless cameras, and it gives you a digital image of what the camera’s lens is capturing.

Well, if you are still not exactly clear on the differences between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera, keep calm, the video below will help you understand. This video talks extensively about each of these camera types, and then goes on to explain how they both differ from each other. Watch it here!

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Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Common Features

Now that those basic things have been explained, we can go on to talk about what features appear in each of these cameras – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500. Here, you will be seeing that, in spite of their many differences, these two cameras are also similar in some ways, too. Let’s get straight to it, shall we?


Articulating Screen

An articulating screen is a type of flexible screen that can be rotated to varying angles in order to make shooting from difficult angles easier. If your camera has an articulating screen, it means that you can more easily take shots from really high and really low.

Therefore, seeing as both these cameras – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – have articulating screens, they will be making it easy for you to get great shots from those naturally tough angles. For example, the Sony a7 has a screen that is able to rotate approximately 84 degrees upward, and approximately 45 degrees downward. What this means is that, though it might not be the best selfie camera, with this, you will be able to get good overhead and chest level shots.


Face Detection Focus

Now, this is one very important feature to you if you plan to use your camera very often for portrait photography. Face detection focus enables your camera identify the human faces in the frame and then focus on them. This gives you enough detailing on the faces, and generally high quality portrait photographs.

So, seeing as each of these cameras – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – comes with face detection focus, we can say that they are great cameras to take high quality portrait photos with.


RAW Support

Speaking of high quality, these cameras are able to deliver the highest quality of photos to you. How? Well, each of them have RAW support, and what that simply means is that you can take pictures and store them without having to reduce their quality by compressing them.

Usually, images are compressed to the JPEG format in order to make them not take up too much storage space. However, when this compression is done, the quality of the image is greatly reduced, and this may not be good news; especially if you need to use your pictures on very large scales.

With RAW support, images can be captured and stored in their uncompressed format – RAW. Anyway, this will be at the expense of your storage space, because, RAW images contain every single detail, and so, are really large files.


External Flash Hot Shoe

This is one feature that lets you get good lighting in your shooting location without having to do so much. With an external flash mounted on the external flash hot shoe, you are able to lighten up the scene, and get bright images, even in low light.

With an external flash, flash photography is even more efficient. Perhaps, one could say that this feature will be even more appreciated in the Sony a7, because it is the only of the two cameras in comparison today – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – which does not have an in-built flash. Therefore, to get lighting from the Sony camera, the external flash hot shoe is absolutely necessary.


Auto Exposure Bracketing

So, this is another way by which shooting in tough lighting conditions can be made easy and efficient. Auto exposure bracketing is a feature that allows you take a number of pictures with just a click of the shutter button. Now, each of those pictures you will get will have a different exposure setting. So, from your options, you can decide which of the settings gave you the best result in the lighting condition; or you could go ahead to use all. This feature is also very important for HDR shooting.

Anyway, in shooting with auto exposure bracketing, the bracketing range is another thing to be considered. The wider the camera’s auto exposure bracketing range, the better the results obtained from using the feature.

This range simply refers to the maximum number of shots that can be taken at once while shooting using auto exposure bracketing. So, seeing as you are able to get a maximum of 2 shots with the Nikon D5500, and a maximum of 5 shots with the Sony a7, we can clearly state that the Sony a7 will be giving you better HDR shots, simply because of its wider bracketing range.

So, if you want to see a practical use of the auto exposure bracketing feature – specifically for HDR photography here – check out the video below. This video will show you how to set your Sony a7 camera to use auto exposure bracketing, it even shows you how you can go ahead to use to obtain awesome results in HDR photography. Watch it here!


External Microphone Jack

Do you intend to do a lot of video and audio recording with your camera? If your answer to that is yes, then you will surely be happy with either of these cameras – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500. Why? Well, because they both have external microphone jacks, which means that you will be able to get great audio quality in your recordings with the use of an external microphone.

Your camera’s internal microphone will not always give you the best sound quality. So, if would like to improve on that quality, you could easily achieve that by just connecting an external microphone to any one of these cameras – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500.


Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi feature is one which helps you transfer files pretty easily from the camera to other Wi-Fi compatible devices around. Just by creating a wireless connection, you can send files easily without having to look for cables or any such things; easy, isn’t it?

Now, with this, you can do quicker transfer of files, and as a result, more quickly upload photos and videos to your social media accounts. Isn’t this just so great?

Well, like we said, this feature is one very easy one to use – whether on the entry-level camera or on the pro one. And to show you how easy this is, we have attached a video that shows you how to use this feature on the pro camera – the Sony a7. Watch it here!

Well, guess what, it gets even better and more convenient. With the Sony a7, you are able to create a wireless connection with – wait for it – only one touch of a button. And this is possible because that camera comes with the near field communication (NFC) technology.

Therefore, if you want to transfer files from your Sony a7 to an NFC compatible smartphone, instead of going through those steps you saw in that video up there, you could easily just bring the NFC icons of both devices in touch with each other, and you are in. it really does not get easier than that.

This is not even all! Apparently, there is a really interesting function you have access to as a result of your camera coming with an in-built Wi-Fi; and that is the ability to use a smartphone as a remote controlling device for your camera. This is something you can do on either of these cameras – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500.

How this works is that, after having connected your camera to a nearby Wi-Fi compatible smartphone device, you can use that smartphone to conduct a shoot. You won’t even have to touch your camera, because virtually everything that could have been done when operating the camera directly can also be done when remotely operating the camera using the smartphone.

Therefore, if you are a wildlife photographer, you could place your camera at a good angle, and then conduct and monitor your entire shoot from a safe distance. This is just so cool!


HDMI Output             

Each of these cameras – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – has an HDMI output, which means that you can connect your camera to a television screen with the use of an HDMI cable. Therefore, you are able to exhibit your photos and videos to a large number of people without even having to go through so much hassle.

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Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Unique Features


In-Built Flash

An in-built flash is literally the most accessible source of lighting for cameras, however, it is not something that is available to all cameras. The Nikon D5500 comes with an in-built flash, while the Sony a7 does not. What this means is that, even without attaching an external flash, you will be able to get bright images in low light with the Nikon camera, but won’t be getting that luxury with the Sony a7.


Optical Viewfinder

In our earlier DSLR vs mirrorless cameras distinction, we made it clear that an optical viewfinder can only be found in a DSLR camera. Therefore, seeing as the Nikon D5500 is the only DSLR camera of the two – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – it definitely will not be surprising that it is the only one with an optical viewfinder.

An optical viewfinder shows you the exact image which your camera’s lens is picking in real time. With this feature, you are able to frame your photos, and you generally have more control over your shooting.


Electronic Viewfinder

So, as optical viewfinder is to a DSLR camera, so is an electronic viewfinder to a mirrorless one. However, like we have mentioned earlier in this Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 comparison article, not every mirrorless camera comes with an electronic viewfinder. Anyway, our mirrorless camera in today’s comparison – the Sony a7 – does.

The electronic viewfinder gives you a digital image of what your camera’s lens is picking up. And thus, because of this, this viewfinder is prone to lags and little delays compared to the optical viewfinder.

However, an electronic viewfinder gives you some vital information about your shoot that the optical viewfinder cannot; for example, your camera’s battery level, the ISO range, the histogram. Anyway, though, just like the optical viewfinder, an electronic viewfinder helps you properly frame your photos.

At this point, we think it is appropriate to show you key differences between these different types of viewfinders. So, watch the video below to see how an optical viewfinder of a DSLR camera works differently from an electronic viewfinder of a mirrorless camera.


Touch Screen

A touch screen makes it easier for you to access your camera’s functions and features, compared to having to use just buttons. With a touch screen, you can operate your camera just like you would a smartphone.

Now, you will be getting this convenience only with the Nikon D5500, because the Sony a7 is not a touch screen camera. Well, one could say that this feature is just appropriate for the entry-level camera, seeing as it is intended to be a user friendly camera.


Time-Lapse

The Nikon D5500 is the only camera of the two that allows you to record time-lapse videos. The Sony a7 can only do this with the use of an optional application.

Time-lapse allows you maneuver time in your recordings, such that an hour long occurrence can be expressed in a few minutes of time-lapse. This is great news for nature photographers, and will be greatly missed in the Sony a7, especially seeing as it is a pro camera.


Headphone Jack

Headphones connected to your camera help you monitor the sound you get from it while you record audio. So, you can make necessary adjustments, regulate the sound, and generally just be in control of your recording.

Anyway, this is something you will only be able to achieve with the Sony a7, as this feature is not present in the Nikon D5500. Thus, you will only be getting this extra control with the Sony a7.


Near Field Communication (NFC)

Like we mentioned earlier in this Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 comparison article while we were speaking of the Wi-Fi feature, the Sony a7 camera comes with near field communication (NFC). This makes it possible for you to create a wireless connection with a Wi-Fi and NFC compatible device with just one touch of a button.

This feature is super easy to use, and you will be seeing that in the video below. This video shows you how you can connect a Sony camera to an NFC compatible device with just one touch. Watch it here!


Panorama

The Sony a7 has the panorama feature, which means that, unlike the Nikon D5500 which does not, this camera will be able to stitch a couple of photos together to make one really lovely panoramic one.

The panorama feature helps you expand your creativity as a photography, and so, you will really enjoy playing around with this on the Sony a7.


Weather Sealing

Recall that we said that pro cameras generally have more durable bodies than any other class of cameras. Well, this is a typical example. The Sony a7 – the pro camera – has a weather sealed body, while the Nikon D5500 – the entry level camera – does not. In simple terms, this means that, while you will be able to use the Sony a7 anywhere, under any weather condition, you won’t be afforded that luxury with the Nikon D5500.

Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Unique Pros


Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Unique Pros Of The Sony a7


Weather Sealing

We just talked about this, and so, you must already know how much more leverage having a weather sealed camera body gives you. For example, a sports photographer who is to take shots at a soccer game on a cloudy day would definitely prefer to use the Sony a7 than the Nikon D5500. And that is because the Sony a7’s weather sealed body makes it safe to use it in whatever weather condition – good or nasty.


Easier Wireless Connection

The near field communication (NFC) is a feature we have talked about a few times already in this Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 comparison article. This feature makes it possible for you to create a wireless connection with just one touch of a button. Therefore, you can transfer files more easily and more quickly with the Sony a7 than with the Nikon D5500 which does not have NFC.


Wider Auto Exposure Bracketing Range

Earlier in this Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 comparison article, we explained what the auto exposure bracketing feature is, its uses, and applications. If you watched the video, you must have been able to decipher that the wider your camera’s auto exposure bracketing range is, the better the results you are able to get from it.

Now, with the Sony a7, you are able to get a maximum of 5 photos with just one click of the shutter button, when you use auto exposure bracketing. And this is 3 more than the maximum you are able to get with auto exposure bracketing on the Nikon D5500. Thus, it is safe to say that you will be getting better HDR photos with the Sony a7 than with the Nikon D5500.


Better Audio Recording Control

Of these two cameras in comparison today – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – only the Sony a7 allows you connect headphones. And like we said earlier, headphones give you more control of your audio recordings, which is one thing you won’t be getting with the Nikon D5500.


Panorama

You will be able to take panoramic shots with the Sony a7, but won’t be able to do that with the Nikon D5500.

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Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Unique Pros Of The Nikon D5500


More Convenient Operation

The Nikon D5500 is the only touch screen camera of the two, and thus, is the camera that will be easier for you to operate. Well, it is the only entry-level camera of the two, and will naturally be the easier one to operate.

Anyway, you will be enjoying using the Nikon D5500 for vacations, walks, hikes, or perhaps if you are not very conversant with cameras. And that is because the touch screen makes the functions and features a lot more accessible than they would have been if the camera did not have a touch screen.


In-Built Flash

Unlike the Sony a7, the Nikon D5500 has an in-built flash, so, even without an external flash, you will still be able to get pretty bright photos with this camera in low light conditions.


Long Lasting Battery

DSLR cameras are generally known for their long lasting batteries, and the Nikon D5500 is surely not an exception to that. A full charge of this camera’s battery – despite being an entry-level one – will be getting you more than two times the number shots you will be getting per full charge of the Sony a7, which is a pro camera. Amazing!

A long lasting battery is surely good news to any photographer – pro or amateur. You will be able to shoot for long hours without having to bother about changing your camera’s batteries.


Larger Screen

If you like your camera’s screen slightly larger than normal, then you will love that of the Nikon D5500. This camera’s 3.2 inch LCD screen is 20 per cent larger than that of the Sony a7.

So, not only is this camera’s screen touch sensitive, now, it happens that it also is larger than normal, that is surely a good combination.


Time-Lapse

Of these two cameras – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – only the Nikon D5500 allows you easily record time-lapse videos. With the Sony a7, you can only do this with an optional application, which might be too much hassle to get around using.


More Affordable

The Nikon D5500 costs more than 200 dollars less than the Sony a7, and so, it is obviously the more affordable camera of the two. Perhaps this is quite understandable seeing as it is an entry-level camera, while the Sony a7 is a pro camera.

Therefore, if you are on a very tight budget, you might want to opt for the entry-level camera; it will be saving you a couple hundred dollars.


Faster Startup Time

If you are on a tour and you see a beautiful moment you would want to capture with your camera, the better camera of these two – Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – for that would be the Nikon D5500. Why? Well, simply because the Nikon camera starts up more than 5 times faster than the Sony a7. So, this means that you are more likely to capture that beautiful moment with the Nikon D5500 than with the Sony a7 before it is gone.

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Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500– Unique Cons


Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Unique Cons Of The Sony a7


No Touch Screen

The LCD screen of the Sony a7 is not touch sensitive, and so, is not the most convenient camera to operate. Perhaps this is so because it is made for professionals who are assumed to already understand the workings of a camera. However, even some professional photographers have said they would have loved a touch screen.


No In-Built Flash

If you are shooting with the Sony a7, and it so happens that you can do nothing about the poor lighting in your shooting location, and you also do not have access to an external flash at the moment, it would be really difficult to get bright images. And this is because this camera does not come with an in-built flash. In such conditions, you might have to rely on the camera’s light sensitivity, which isn’t even so high either.


Poor Battery Capacity

The Sony a7 – a pro camera – will be able to produce only about 340 shots per full charge of its battery.  Yes, we know that mirrorless cameras are not known for their batteries, but we do think that a pro camera like the Sony a7 could have had a better battery capacity than 340 shots per full charge.


No Time-Lapse

The Sony a7, in itself, does not allow you record time-lapse videos. If you want to, you will need to get an application that does not come with the camera, and this could be quite a long process.


Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Unique Cons Of The Nikon D5500


Few Focus Points

The Nikon D5500 boasts of only 39 focus points, and this simply means that it won’t be able to focus on so many points while you shoot. This camera has 78 less focus points than the Sony a7, and the a7 does not even have too many focus points itself.


No weather sealing

It will be really risky to use the Nikon D5500 in harsh weather conditions, because its body is not weather sealed. Using this camera in bad weather could cause serious damages to it – damages which could be permanent.


No Headphone Jack

You will not be able to regulate your audio recordings with the use of headphones on this camera, because the Nikon D5500 does not have a headphone jack.


No Near Field Communication (NFC)

By now, you are surely not a stranger to how much convenience near field communication offers in wireless connection, and thus, transfer of files. So, perhaps we could say that is one feature you will be missing in this camera.

The Nikon D5500 is not an NFC compatible device, which means that, with this camera, you won’t be able to create a one touch wireless connection with another device. So, you will missing out on all that convenience and ease in connection.


Slim Auto Exposure Bracketing Range

With the Nikon D5500, you will only be able to take a maximum of two shots per time, and that is really not very exciting. It is even worse when compared to its counterpart which allows you take up to 5 photos with just a click of the shutter button.


No Panorama

You won’t be able to take panoramic photos with the Nikon D5500, because it does not come with that feature.

Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Common Pros

 

Sony a7

Nikon D5500

Flexible shooting The Sony a7 comes with an articulating screen, and that makes the camera great to shoot with from rather difficult angles. Just by tilting the camera’s screen, you are able to conveniently shoot from over your head, and from other “awkward” angles.   The Nikon D5500 also has an articulating screen, which means that it is also a camera that you can do a flexible shoot with.
High quality images Coming with RAW support, the Sony a7 is able to take photos and store them in their highest quality.
What this means is that if you want your images uncompressed and unadulterated, you will be able to get just that with this camera.
The Nikon D5500 is also able to take photos and store them in their highest quality. This is good news for when you will want to use your photos on a large scale.
Great audio quality In addition to what the internal microphone is able to give you, the Sony a7 is able to get you even better and more advanced audio quality in your recordings.

This camera is compatible with external microphones, and so, with it, you are able to advance the camera’s audio quality, and also, get good sound even in noisy areas.
You can also connect an external microphone to the Nikon D5500, because it also has an external mic jack. This means that you can also advance this camera’s audio quality beyond what the internal microphone is able to offer.
Control of your shoot This camera comes with a viewfinder (electronic), and with it you can properly frame your photos, and generally get more control of your shooting.

If it is really sunny outside on your shoot day, you will be extra grateful for this feature, because it is a lot of trouble trying to shoot with the camera’s LCD screen in direct sunlight.
The Nikon D5500 also comes with a viewfinder (optical), and so, this also allows you properly frame your photos, and also gives you some level of control of your shoot.
Great results in flash photography This camera has an external flash hot shoe, which means that you can get great lighting with the use of an external flash. So, in low light, you can easily brighten up the scene, and then go on to get awesome flash photography images. This camera is also compatible with an external flash, so, you are able to improve on the lighting the in-built flash offers. Also, you will be able to get great results in flash photography.
Great portrait photographs This camera comes with the face detection focus feature, which means that it is able to identify human faces and focus on them. By doing this, the Sony a7 is able to give you amazing results in portrait photography. If you will be taking a lot of portrait photos, the Nikon D5500 is yet another camera that will be doing you well. This camera comes with face detection focus, so, you will be getting all the details you desire on the faces in your picture.
Great HDR photography The Sony a7 comes with auto exposure bracketing, and so, with this, you are able to conveniently shoot in difficult lighting conditions. Also, you can get great photos when shooting in HDR. The Nikon D5500 will also be getting you great photos in HDR photography, because it comes with auto exposure bracketing.

However, this camera will not be getting you as many shots as the Sony a7 per time (5 vs 2).
Easy wireless transfer of files The Sony a7 comes with in-built Wi-Fi. With this, you are able to create a wireless connection with a Wi-Fi compatible smart device close by, and easily transfer files via that means.

With the Sony a7, creating a wireless connection gets even easier. This camera comes with near field communication (NFC), and so, you are able to create a connection with just a touch of a button; super easy.
This camera also comes with in-built Wi-Fi, and so, it allows you transfer files over a wireless connection.

However, you won’t be able to create a one touch connection with the Nikon D5500, as it does not come with near field communication (NFC).
Remote controlled shooting So, after you must have wirelessly connected your smartphone to your camera, you can go ahead to control the camera with that smartphone.
This is one function that makes shooting fun and convenient at the same time. With this, you can take lovely photos without even touching your camera.
You are also able to control the Nikon D5500 with a wirelessly connected smartphone device.
View images on larger displays The Sony a7 has an HDMI output. This means that you are able to connect your camera to a television screen or a monitor with the use of an HDMI cable. Same as the Sony a7.
Lightweight This camera weighs only a little more than a pound, and so, it is one that can be called lightweight; especially for a pro camera.

A lightweight camera is one that is easy to carry around; it won’t be weighing you down or anything like that.
The Nikon D5500 is also a lightweight camera; it even weighs less than the Sony a7. Therefore, this is one you sure can easily carry around with you anywhere.
Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500
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Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Common Cons

 

Sony a7

Nikon D5500

No image stabilization When your camera shakes while you take pictures with it, it will most likely affect your photos – the quality and all that.

But if your camera had image stabilization, you would have been able to neutralize those effects. Well, the Sony a7 does not have this feature, so, if your camera shakes while you shoot, your photos will come out looking untidy. That is definitely not good news.
The Nikon D5500 also does not come with image stabilization, which means that if your camera shakes, your photos will not be looking so good.
No Bluetooth The Sony a7 does not come with an in-built Bluetooth, and that means that creating a wireless connection will be completely limited to just Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth offers you a lot more in terms of wireless connectivity. For example, unlike Wi-Fi, Bluetooth can run on very low battery. Well, you will be missing out on all these extra conveniences and advantages with this camera, as a result of the lack of an in-built Bluetooth.
The Nikon D5500 also does not come with Bluetooth, so, with this camera, you will also be missing out on all those advantages Bluetooth offers in wireless connectivity.
No GPS The Sony a7 does not come with an in-built GPS. So, you won’t be able to geo tag your photos and/or videos with this camera. You also will not be able to geo tag images with this camera, because it does not have an in-built GPS.
No top display This camera does not have a little screen on which the camera’s settings can be viewed conveniently. Same as the Sony a7.
No slow motion You will not be able to express your creativity via slow motion recordings, because this camera does not accommodate that feature. The Nikon D5500 also does not allow you record slow motion videos.
Slow burst mode speed If you want to get a really good shot of an object in motion, you would have to shoot in burst mode. Burst mode is what allows your camera take nonstop photos. Of course, the faster your camera’s burst mode is, the better the shot of that moving object you are able to get. This is one feature that will be used very often by sports and wildlife photographers.

However, with only 5 frames per second, the burst mode speed of the Sony a7 is anything but fast. This means that you might not be getting very amazing shots of moving objects with this camera. It is even worse if you consider that the Sony a7 is a pro camera. Sports photographers, paparazzi, wildlife photographers, will not be very happy with this.
The burst mode of the Nikon D5500 is just as fast as that of the Sony a7. You get 5 frames per second from this one, and that will also not be giving you great photos of objects in motion.

Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – What Do People Think About These Cameras?

Sony a7

Nikon D5500

Photographers have said that they love how lightweight this camera is, and that it produces really nice images, too. People have also mentioned that they love the grip of the Sony a7, and the fact that it has a weather sealed body. People also seem to love the body of the Nikon D5500. It is lightweight, compact, and has a really good grip. However, it does not have a weather sealed body, and some customers did not seem very happy about this, even though some others were not so bothered about that, as, according to them, they weren’t even expecting that from an entry-level camera.
One thing that a lot of people were not pleased about is the battery capacity. With the Sony a7’s battery, you are only able to get 340 shots per full charge. Many customers even went further to complain that it gets even worse when they are using the Wi-Fi feature. According to them, the battery dies even more quickly when Wi-Fi is in use. While the Sony a7 was criticized by many for its battery, the Nikon D5500 was loved by the majority for that. Per full charge of this camera’s battery, one can take up to 820 shots, and many photographers are indeed very impressed by that.
Of course, many photographers love the fact that they are able to wirelessly connect this camera to a compatible device nearby with just a touch of a button.

People also love that this camera can be controlled remotely with a smartphone. It is one many really loved to use.
Although the Nikon D5500 does not allow you connect with just a touch of the button like the Sony a7, people happen to really love the remote controlling function.

Another thing photographers appear to love about this camera is the fact that this camera has a touch screen; they have said it makes the camera even easier to use.
Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500
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Sony a7 vs Nikon D5500 – Our Take

Sony a7

Nikon D5500

There is a lot to love about this camera. You get a good viewfinder, fast autofocus, wide auto exposure bracketing range, all in a small weather sealed body. The Sony a7 is a pro camera, but, weighing only just more than a pound, it is one that won’t be weighing you down at all when you carry it. The Nikon D5500 is another pretty amazing camera. You get a large screen, a touch screen, an in-built flash (along with an option for an external one), and great battery capacity, all in a lightweight, compact body; even more lightweight than the Sony a7.
We were, however, not happy about the battery capacity of the Sony a7. 340 shots per full charge is a lot less than what we expected from a camera of this level.   The battery of the Nikon D5500 is really good news. This camera has a battery that allows you go shooting for long hours before having to charge or change the battery.
Summarily, we think that Sony did a really good job with this camera. This is a pretty good pro camera, has a good grip, and even a weather sealed body. This camera will be giving you awesome sound quality, great results in flash photography, an easy wireless connection, and a wide auto exposure bracketing range; all these and more for a pretty affordable price.

Do we love this camera? We definitely do. The question now is do you?
The Nikon D5500 is also a great camera. Among other things, we love that you will be able to record time-lapse videos with this camera. Also, although this is an entry-level camera, it is indeed highly functional and will be giving you great value for your money.

So, yeah, we also love the Nikon D5500, and we would recommend this if you are new into the photography world.
Get the Sony a7 here now! Get the Nikon D5500 here now!

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