Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N
86 Imaging
44 Features
62 Overall
51


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 356g - 114 x 72 x 37mm
- Announced September 2013
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Introduced October 2011
- Older Model is Sony NEX-5
- Later Model is Sony NEX-5R

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Nikon 1 AW1 and Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the 1 AW1 (14MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is pretty well matched but the 1 AW1 (1") and NEX-5N (APS-C) posses different sensor measurements.

The 1 AW1 was launched 24 months later than the NEX-5N which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 1 AW1 matches up versus the NEX-5N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 AW1 & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon 1 AW1 Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 AW1 over the Sony NEX-5N
1 AW1 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2013 | ![]() | October 2011 | Fresher by 24 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Nikon 1 AW1
NEX-5N | 1 AW1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon 1 AW1 and Sony NEX-5N
1 AW1 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen |
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 AW1 has got external dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") along with a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon 1 AW1 and Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the 1 AW1 vs the NEX-5N.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 AW1 and NEX-5N is 86 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 AW1 and NEX-5N.
Clearly, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1 AW1 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-5N will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent 1 AW1 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Nikon 1 AW1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 AW1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2013-09-19 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | EXPEED 3A | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 135 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 921k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 60.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Fill flash, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye w/slow sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/60 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 640 x 240 (400 fps), 320 x 120 (1200 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 356g (0.78 pounds) | 269g (0.59 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 51 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.9 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 428 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photos | 460 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL20 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $0 | $550 |