Does the Nikon D5500 hold its ground as a competitive choice for your photographic aspirations?

Let’s delve into the details of this feature-rich DSLR, scrutinizing its strong suits and potential shortcomings.

Join me as we discern if the Nikon D5500 could be your go-to tool in capturing life’s moments.

Is the Nikon D5500 Worth the Investment in 2024?

Best All-in-one Lenses for Travelling and Everyday photography

An all-in-one lens is best when you can choose only one lens.

While it won’t have the sharpness of the primes lens or cool looking curves of Primes, it will do an excellent task in any photography.

They have the most extended working margin and are a substitute for every lens, from macro to telephoto. Photographers who travel a lot but can only carry one or two lenses are the best nominees for the all-in-one type.

Besides risking getting dust in your camera, switching lenses is an exhausting task that takes your precious time.

This is where the all-in-one lens can come in handy, and we got just the right lens for your favorite Nikon D5500 Camera.

By far, the best property of this lens is its incredible versatility, allowing you to cover a vast range of different focal lengths without ever changing your optics.

Compared to the older versions of this model, this one offers all the excellent characteristics of its predecessors while being much lighter and cheaper.

For example:

It retains a maximum magnification of x32, a minimum focus distance of 1.6 ft, and an angle of view from 76 to 520 degrees.

The only downside can be the casual softness or the autofocus acting up then and again.

This bulky all-in-one lens is equipped with specialized vibration reduction technology, enabling you to create high-quality, sharp images no matter the focal length you shoot.

Additionally, its sturdy build and increased weight (compared with some other Nikon lenses) ensure that you always take blur-free sharp photos.

In our humble opinion, this lens ranks among the sharpest lens for Nikon D5500.

Its limited zoom range, however, wouldn’t necessarily prove the best solution if you plan to take some wildlife or distant scenery photos.

If you need a clear lens for this purpose, we propose you consider the 300 mm version described above or read about the lenses below.

If you’re a bit tight on your budget and require an all-inclusive versatile lens, this 18-250 mm solution from Sigma may be a perfect choice.

It does come with certain technical shortcomings, but it is safe to say that you won’t regret getting yourself one of these Sigma lenses.

In comparison to the Nikon’s lenses, these tend to have problems with the pronounced softness in the corners, and with the less durable barrel. (the lower quality materials used in its build are to blame)

Nevertheless:

Thanks to its decreased weight this lens still manages to find its audience among the optics connoisseurs.

Best Prime Lenses for Portraits and Modeling

Portrait photography is one of the most popular types since it’s everywhere worldwide.

Prom nights, family gatherings, and weddings are only a few examples where portraits are represented.

The prime lens is what you need on these occasions.

Distinction from zoom or all-in-one lenses is the ability to zoom in or out. Since there are fewer parts, Prime lenses are compact and cheaper.

Sharpness is an important characteristic, and the quality of photos taken with this lens is on the next level. Momentous photographers need at least one Prime in their collection.

• Lens Type: Normal
• Mounting Type: Nikon DX
• Focal Length Range: 16-85mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.38m
• Weight: 1.07 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.35 x 2.83 x 2.83 inches

This lens boasts some high zoom properties and a fair focal length. It can be a perfect option for your travels as it is versatile enough to cover all your photographic needs, from elaborate wide-angle shots to sophisticated portraits.

Thanks to this versatility and the advanced technology it was built in, it also performs brilliantly in the sharpness department, offering relatively quick and reactive autofocus.

Also, among its strengths are the significantly reduced distortion and the vibration reduction technology, which can dramatically enhance hand-held photos.

These impressive characteristics, however, seem to put this model at a disadvantage in its price, which is a little bit high even for a Nikon lens.

Overall:

This item easily ranks among the finest portrait lenses for Nikon D5500.

Also, the autofocus with this model is a real treat, as its speed and sharpness make the preparation process for taking a photo a piece of cake.

Its small size contributes to a great extent to its feather-light properties in the weight department, as it weighs only 6.6 ounces.

A slightly less expensive solution possessing almost all of the essential characteristics of the Nikon’s 50 mm model comes in the shape of this 35 mm lens, which will not let you down during your traveling photo exploits.

One of the cheapest options on our list Nikon 35mm model is a very sharp lens with great features.

Autofocus is fast and quiet, and the lens itself works great in low light conditions.

Another great alternative to a typical Nikon lens comes with this 17-70 mm model from Sigma, offering an ideal focal length that will easily cover long distances.

Even better, these unique range properties do not come at the cost of low light performance, as this lens will perform brilliantly with every light setting within reach of its focal length.

This model’s only negative aspect is the softness in the corners, particularly noticeable in wide-open environments with little room for elegant settings.

However:

This turns out to be a minor issue if we consider that this 70 mm lens has good performance.

Best Telephoto Lenses for Wildlife and Action Photography

When taking a photo or a video from an object that is far away, such as in wildlife photography or sports, your best bet is a telephoto lens.

They are strictly designed with this in mind, so zooming without losing quality is their strong point.

Because of their zoom ability, their bodies are more massive when compared to other lens types.

They are usually bulky and often more expensive than primes.

Please keep reading to learn what lens we consider the best telephoto lens in 2024 for Nikon D5500.

This 200 mm model is no longer produced by the Nikon company, having been discarded recently in favor of a newer alternative with roughly the exact specifications.

The reason for such a decision on Nikon’s part is mainly due to its low-quality plastic build, meaning that what you get from the newer 200 mm VR II version pretty much amounts to improved housing.

The price follows suit with the newer model, being almost twice as expensive as this lens, and in all fairness. At the same time, the enhanced build quality does present a significant improvement; we would still advise you to get the older model, as it offers a good 200 mm experience.

This Nikon’s heavy-duty lens offers an incredible 300 mm of zoom and is among the best options for telephoto DX-form cameras.

It’s packed with great corrective features crucial for any long-range zoom lens.

For example, this model’s advanced vibration reduction will enable you to take steady shots without worrying about shaky hands.

Also, it focuses reasonably quickly, ensuring you won’t miss a crucial photo-worthy moment somewhere in the distance. To make this model even more attractive, it features excellent sharpness regardless of the given range.

Among its disadvantages, we would count perhaps only the slight underperformance with reduced light, which can present a good challenge for your resources.

Best Macro Lens for Flowers and Macro Photography

You must own at least one Macro lens when it comes to Macro or close-up photography.

They have better minimum distance focus, meaning you can capture all the details from highly close.

One of the features is sharpness, which is inviolable with macro lenses.

Don’t forget:

Actual macro lenses have a 1:1 ratio, which allows them to take shots from near distances.

We did a few tests, compared photos taken from different options, and decided on the best macro lens for D5500 Camera.

This Nikon’s 40 mm solution would probably be one of the best currently available when it comes to precise photography and recording of still life.

It delivers precisely where it needs to, with its enhanced sharpness properties enabling you to make detailed and precise photos at a close distance.

The minimum focusing distance is 6.4 inches, leaving plenty of room to catch even the most minor details of your subject.

It is, therefore, the optimal weapon of choice if you plan to take shots of food or various products at a close distance, for advertisement purposes, for example.

Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Landscapes and Urban areas

If you are interested in any photos above, the wide-angle lens will come in handy.

The large field of view allows you to contain more of what you see in the picture. Photos taken with a wide-angle lens have a unique feel because of the curves toward the corners.

Since D5500 is a DX-format camera, every photo taken will act 1.5 times longer.

Nikon and other third-party companies, such as sigma, have this in mind when designing their glass, so you don’t have to worry too much.

We did test more than a couple of Nikon lenses and decided that two lenses deserve to be on this list.

Another great alternative to a typical Nikon lens comes with this 17-70 mm model from Sigma, offering an ideal focal length that will easily cover long distances.

Of course, being ranked among the best wide-angle lenses for Nikon D5500, there will be certain distortions at the complete ends, and the low light performance may not be y top-notch. Still, when it comes to zoom, it shows some relatively advanced properties considering its class.

This lens can be an excellent choice if you plan to take photos of architecture and landscapes, where you will get the very best of its performance.

On the flip side:

It doesn’t come equipped with a vibration reduction feature, which may present some problems for beginners.

While it can be said to underperform in comparison to Nikon’s lens, this Tokina’s solution still offers some impressive properties, especially regarding its surprisingly delicate sharpness and decent low-light performance.

This lens would perhaps be best suitable for outdoor events with many people and a diminished light setting, like weddings and various other similar events.

This wouldn’t work as well with landscape photography because of the slightly pronounced distortion at the ends, making it unfit for environments where you need to take your shots at a greater distance.

Best kit lens for Nikon D5500

Just in case of wondering, here is our choice for what we consider to be the best kit lens on the market in 2024:

Brilliant for beginners and casual photography enthusiasts, this Nikon’s 55 mm lens is one of the best options for unofficial stock photos.

Should you attempt to take some long-distance photos, you may experience some heavy distortion, of course, but this can be corrected up to a point using the built-in option in the camera itself.

Other than that, using it in low-light settings is not advisable.

All in all:

This model is a great beginner’s kit lens, introducing you to photography.

If you are a more advanced photographer, check out some of the other models on this list, and you will find just what you need!

Nikon D5500 Lens FAQ: Answers to Common Queries

What lenses go with Nikon D5500?

The Nikon D5500 is compatible with a broad range of lenses. As the D5500 has a Nikon F-mount, it can be used with both DX and FX lenses. Nikon’s own lenses, such as the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II, AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED, and the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G, are all excellent options. In addition to Nikon’s own lenses, the D5500 can also use lenses from third-party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina that produce lenses compatible with the Nikon F-mount.

Can I use both DX and FX lenses with my Nikon D5500?

Yes, you can use both DX and FX lenses with the Nikon D5500. However, since the D5500 has a DX-format sensor, using DX lenses will give you the full range of the lens’ focal length, while using an FX lens will result in a 1.5x crop factor.

What is the best Nikon lens for portrait photography with the D5500?

For portrait photography, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G lens is highly recommended. It provides excellent image quality and depth of field, making it ideal for capturing detailed portraits.

Can I use older Nikon lenses with my D5500?

Older Nikon lenses, specifically those that require a mechanical connection to autofocus (known as AF lenses), will not autofocus on the D5500 because it lacks an autofocus motor. However, you can still use these lenses in manual focus mode.

What’s the best Nikon lens for landscape photography with the D5500?

For landscape photography, the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens is a popular choice. Its wide-angle view is perfect for capturing expansive landscapes.

What is perfect lens for Nikon D5500?

And this wraps up our list of best lenses for the Nikon D5500! We hope you enjoyed the ride; now it’s only a matter of jotting down your needs and singling out your Nikon D5500 lenses.

If you are on a budget, you may consider buying a used lens since you get better quality for the same price.

Read our buying guide section for guides such as Nikon D5300 lenses and Nikon D5200 lenses to get some valuable insights if you decide to go that route.

Happy shopping!

More Nikon D5000 Series guides:

• Nikon D5000 lenses
• Nikon D5100 lenses
• Nikon D5200 lenses
• Nikon D5300 lenses
• Nikon D5500 lenses
• Nikon D5600 lenses