Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N
86 Imaging
44 Features
62 Overall
51
![Nikon 1 AW1 front Nikon 1 AW1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Nikon_1_AW1_0.jpg)
![Sony Alpha NEX-5N front Sony Alpha NEX-5N front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N/Sony-NEX-5N-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
57 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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
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.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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.
![Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-AW1-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-AW1-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-1-AW1-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-AW1-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
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 |