Nikon has been quite strong in entry level D-SLRs even with strong competition. The D5600 is an upgrade to the D5500, with new features such as SnapBridge connectivity enabled by NFC and BlueTooth Low Energy, along with time-lapse video mode. Read on to see what the new camera has to offer.
Design and Build Quality
If you hide the model number from the cameras, both D5500 and D5600look and feel identical. Constructed with similar polycarbonate materials, finished with identical controls and screen, the exteriors have not changed at all. Both have deep textured rubber grips too. The only give-away seems to be the yellowish piece within the AF illuminator. The camera has a solid build quality and both the lens mount and tripod receptacle are metal.
Key Features
The D5600 uses a 24.2 megapixel DX format (23.5 mm x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor and EXPEED 4 image processing engine. The camera autofocusses with AF-S, AF-P, and AF-I lenses. It uses Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus sensor module employing TTL phase detection. The device uses 39 focus points including 9 cross-type sensors. Lens servo option include Single-servo (AF-S), Continuous-servo (AF-C), Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A) and Manual focus (MF). AF Area mode provides options such as Singlepoint, 9, 21, 39- point dynamic-area AF, 3D-tracking and auto-area AF. LiveView uses Contrast-detect AF.
The D5600 makes use of an electronically-controlled verticaltravel focal-plane shutter, providing shutter speeds from 30 to 1/4000 seconds along with Bulb and Time modes. Metering is handled by a TTL system using a 2016-pixel RGB sensor. Metering methods include Matrix, Centre-weighted and Spot. Exposure can be compensated up to +/-5 EV in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to 25,600 in steps of 1/3 EV. Active D-Lighting provides options of Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low and Off. Picture Control modes include Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and Flat.
The camera accepts a single SD/SDHC/ SDXC (UHS-I compliant) memory card. The D5600 incorporates an eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder and a 3.2-inch approximately 1037k-dot TFT variangle touch screen LCD with 170 ° viewing angle. The built-in flash has a Guide Number of 12m at ISO 100. The flash synchronises with the shutter at 1/200 sec or slower speeds. Flash control is through i-TTL flash control utilising 2016-pixel RGB sensor along with i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash with spot metering. Flash modes include Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync and off. Flash exposure can be compensated up to -3 to +1 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps. The 5600 also features an ISO 518 hotshoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock. The camera supports Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS).
Drive modes include S (single), CL (continuous low), CH (continuous high), Q (quiet shutter) and Self-timer (along with interval timer). The camera offers maximum continuous shooting of up to 5 fps for JPEG and 12-bit Raw and up to 4 fps for 14-bit Raw. The selftimer can be set to 2, 5, 10 or 20 sec for up to nine exposures. White Balance options are Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 types), Direct sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade and Preset manual.
Still images can be captured in NEF (Raw) or JPG format with a maximum size of 6000 x 4000 pixels. Raw can be 12 or 14 bit. You can record both Raw and JPEG simultaneously. Videos can be recorded in MOV format at the best quality of 1920 x 1080 at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p or 24p. Shooting modes available are Auto, Program (P), Shutter-priority auto (S), Aperturepriority auto (A), Manual (M), Scene and Special effects. Scene modes include Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night portrait, Night landscape, Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colours and Food. Special effects modes available are Night vision, Super vivid, Pop, Photo illustration, Toy camera, Miniature, Selective colour, Silhouette, High key and Low key.
The camera provides Hi- Speed USB interface with Micro-USB connector, Type C HDMI connector and Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm). Wireless connectivity options are Wi-Fi, NFC and BlueTooth. The device is powered by one EN-EL14a rechargeable Li-ion battery (supplied). The camera weighs 465g with battery and memory card and has dimensions of 124 x 97 x 70 mm.
Here is a list of key features that have changed in the D5600, compared to the D5500. Highlights indicate changes, though not necessarily improvements.
From the table, it is clear that the D5600 is essentially a re-packaged version of the D5500. The additional features NFC and Bluetooth help, but do you really care?
