Upgrade Guide
Nikon Coolpix P520→Nikon D5500
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The D5500 improves across 4 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most Coolpix P520 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the D5500
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Resolution24MP vs 18MP (+6MP)
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Battery life~820 shots (CIPA) vs ~200 shots (CIPA)
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Generation2 years newer (2015 vs 2013)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | Coolpix P520 | D5500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +2.1 | ||
| Street | +1.6 | ||
| Travel | +1.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +2.6 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +1.3 | ||
| Documentary | +1.9 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.6 | ||
| Landscape | +1.8 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.4 | ||
| Casual | +1.5 | ||
| Food | +1.5 | ||
| Macro | +1.6 | ||
| Architecture | +1.6 | ||
| Astrophotography | +3.0 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Coolpix P520 | D5500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £79 used | £165 used | |
| Released | 2013 | 2015 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 18MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 18MP | 24MP | ↑ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 (1080/60i) | Full HD 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with face detection and target tracking | 39-point phase-detect (9 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | |
| Stabilisation | Lens-shift VR (optical, in the lens) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 7fps | 5fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~200 shots (CIPA) | ~820 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 550g (with battery) | 470g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 0.2", 201k dots | Optical pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.82x | |
| Screen | 3.2" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots | 3.2" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Fixed 42x Nikkor 24-1000mm equivalent f/3-5.9 | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D5500 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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