• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D5500 advantages over Leica TL2

  • Less expensive
    $697 vs $2495*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 820 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 29 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Leica TL2 advantages over Nikon D5500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/40000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica TL2

Review Excerpt

  • Amazingly small for a DSLR; Great image quality for its class, including superb low light and high ISO performance; Generous JPEG buffer depth; High resolution.

  • Buffer depths are shallow when shooting RAW; Lacks GPS from the predecessor; No AA filter means it's susceptible to aliasing artifacts.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500
Pentax K-S1
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica TL2
Pentax K-S1
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Samsung NX500

Nikon D5500
Samsung NX500
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Leica TL2
Samsung NX500
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $1600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500
Nikon D3400
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Leica TL2
Nikon D3400
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D5500
Nikon D5600
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
Leica TL2
Nikon D5600
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Leica TL

Nikon D5500
Leica TL
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
Leica TL2
Leica TL
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
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