If you were hoping to see a bunch of new features in this iteration of Nikon's D-series you might be a little disappointed. Although the addition of a built-in vignette control function, a built-in intervalometer, and touch controls on its 3.2" screen are welcome changes (although Nikon is a little late to the party), it's kind of the only major change you're going to see on the D5500, since it has a lot of the same features as the D5300, like the 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor, no OLPF, 1080p video up to 60fps, Wi-Fi, and a max ISO of 25600.

They also introduced two new lenses, an FX 300mm f/4 f/4E PF ED VR which is shorter and lighter than the original, and an updated DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II.

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Specs:

• 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
• EXPEED 4 Image Processor
• No Optical Low-Pass Filter
• 3.2" 1,037k-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
• 1920 x 1080: 60 fps, 30 fps, 24 fps
• Built-In Wi-Fi and GPS Connectivity
• Continuous Shooting up to 5 fps
• 39-Point Multi-CAM 4800DX AF Sensor
• ISO 100 - 25600
• Built-In Intervalometer
• Availability: February 2015
• Price: $900 Body Only, $1,000 with 18-55mm Lens, $1,200 with 18-140mm Lens

There are several new features on the D5500 that'll be beneficial for photographers, but it's unclear if there are any real changes under the hood for video shooters besides the touchscreen.

While there aren't too many D5500 samples at the moment, these videos from the D5300 should prove to have similar quality as the new camera:

A couple to show you how the D5300 performs in low-light situations (again, the D5500 should be similar):

The body-only price for the D5500 is $900, which certainly isn't inexpensive. In fact, given the fact that they share so many of the same features, you might as well just go for the D5300 and save yourself $200 — unless you want that touchscreen, then by all means have at it.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens

This full-frame lens is going to retail for $2,000 and will be available in February. It uses a Phase Fresnel (PF) element to reduce the length to 5.8" and the weight to 1.6lbs. 

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II Lens

This APS-C lens will run for $300 and will also ship in February.

Source: B&H