Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / 200D vs Nikon D5500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / 200D
62
WINNER
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Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5500
61
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / 200D is the lighter carry at 302 g against 420 g for the Nikon D5500, and slightly smaller at 122 x 93 x 70 mm versus 124 x 97 x 70 mm. Both are APS-C DSLRs with optical pentamirror viewfinders. For travel days when a compact kit matters, the Canon packs away more easily. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 29, 2017 | January 6, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 122 x 93 x 70 mm | 124 x 97 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 302 g | 420 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Nikon D5500 is the stronger choice for tracking moving subjects like children or birds in flight, because its 39 autofocus points outnumber the Canon's 9. With 9 points, the Rebel SL2 / 200D offers fewer positions for off-centre subjects. The core stills specifications match, with a shared 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 5 fps shooting and a 1/4000 second maximum shutter. The Canon offers extra headroom in its expanded ISO settings, reaching 51200 ISO where the Nikon stops at 25600 ISO. Their native ranges are identical at 100 to 25600 ISO. Neither has in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld work in dim light relies on lens stabilisation or a faster shutter. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 7 | Expeed 4 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
512003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 390300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Rebel SL2 / 200D records in MP4 as well as MOV, which suits an MP4 editing workflow, while the D5500 records in MOV only. The output limits match: both cameras top out at Full HD resolution, and both reach up to 60 fps. Each also has a built-in timelapse function. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MP4, MOV | MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 59/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesPhone pairing favours the Canon, which supports Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi for a low-power link to your device, while the Nikon offers Wi-Fi only. Both have a flip-out touch LCD for waist-level and selfie framing, plus built-in flash and a hot shoe for an external unit. The Nikon's screen is slightly larger at 3.2 inches against 3 inches. Neither camera has GPS for geotagging your photos, and neither is weather sealed. Live view is available on both. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 10370001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 32/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryLonger shooting days favour the Nikon, whose EN-EL14 battery is rated at 820 shots against 650 shots for the Canon's LP-E17, a 26.2 percent lead in the rating. The Canon answers with card speed: its SD slot supports UHS-I for faster cards, while the Nikon accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC without that compatibility. Storage layout is otherwise the same, with a single card slot on each camera and no USB charging on either. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E17 | EN-EL14 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
650 shots1505000 | 820 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Photographers who track moving subjects should choose the Nikon D5500 for its 39 autofocus points, and its higher battery rating suits full-day outings like a school sports event or a walking holiday. The mount choice matters too: the Nikon F DX and Canon EF-S systems are entirely separate, so decide alongside the lenses you intend to build around.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / 200D if a lighter, more compact travel body matters, if you want Bluetooth pairing for quick sharing, or if you prefer MP4 video files. Its UHS-I card support also helps when clearing a full buffer after a burst. Both offer 24.2 MP, 5 fps and Full HD video, so resolution and burst speed favour neither.