Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D vs Nikon D5500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D
59
SCORE
|
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5500
61
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D and Nikon D5500 are both APS-C CMOS DSLRs, so the lens system is your first decision. The 2020 T8i takes Canon EF/EF-S lenses, while the 2015 D5500 takes Nikon F DX glass. Their resolution is practically the same, 24 MP against 24.2 MP, giving both ample detail for prints and generous cropping. The D5500 is the lighter, smaller carry at 420 g and 124 x 97 x 70 mm, against the T8i's 515 g and 131 x 103 x 76 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 12, 2020 | January 6, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 103 x 76 mm | 124 x 97 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 515 g | 420 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor moving subjects such as children's sports or birds in flight, the T8i is the stronger choice, shooting at 7.5 fps against the D5500's 5 fps. Its 45 autofocus points also give wider coverage than the D5500's 39, making it easier to hold a moving subject through a sequence. The stills fundamentals match: each pairs an APS-C CMOS sensor with a pentamirror optical viewfinder, a 1/4000 second top shutter and no in-body stabilisation, so lens choice governs handheld slow-shutter work on both. Native ISO runs from 100 to 25600 on each. In expanded mode the T8i reaches 51200 ISO, while the D5500 stops at 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 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. |
7.5 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/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 8 | 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. |
450300 | 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 | 83/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoAnyone who wants to film in 4K needs the T8i, whose maximum video resolution is 4K while the D5500 tops out at Full HD. The extra resolution leaves room to crop and reframe footage in editing. Frame rate is a similarity at 60 fps on both, and each offers built-in timelapse for interval work. The T8i records MPEG-4 files while the D5500 records MOV, a difference worth noting for your editing workflow. | ||
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. |
 4K |  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. |
3840 x 2160 | 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. |
MPEG-4 | MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 59/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe T8i offers Bluetooth alongside the Wi-Fi both cameras have, while the D5500 offers Wi-Fi alone. That gives the T8i an extra route for connecting a phone. The D5500's screen is slightly larger at 3.2 inches against 3 inches, with near-identical dot counts, so both displays serve framing and review well. Both screens are touch-enabled and flip out for low-angle shots, and both cameras offer live view plus built-in and external flash. Neither body has GPS or weather sealing. | ||
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 | 35/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard speed favours the T8i: its SD slot is UHS-I compatible, so it supports faster UHS-I cards. The D5500 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and both cameras carry a single slot, so there is no backup card on either. Rated battery life is close, at 820 shots for the D5500's EN-EL14 against 800 shots for the T8i's LP-E17. Neither camera charges over USB, so packing a spare battery is sensible for both. | ||
| 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. |
800 shots1505000 | 820 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D for action such as kids' sports or wildlife, or for 4K video. Its 7.5 fps burst, 45-point autofocus and 4K recording handle those jobs better than the D5500 can.
The Nikon D5500 remains a sound pick for travel and everyday stills when its lighter 420 g body and existing Nikon F lenses count for more. Both deliver 24-megapixel-class APS-C files, so the deciding factors are speed, video and lens system.