Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-7
86 Imaging
44 Features
62 Overall
51


84 Imaging
63 Features
71 Overall
66
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-7 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
- Introduced September 2013
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Announced December 2011

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Nikon 1 AW1 versus Sony NEX-7, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the 1 AW1 (14MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the 1 AW1 (1") and NEX-7 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

The 1 AW1 was introduced 22 months later than the NEX-7 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the 1 AW1 matches up versus the NEX-7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-7 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 AW1 and Sony Alpha NEX-7. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 AW1 Gallery and Sony NEX-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 AW1 over the Sony NEX-7
1 AW1 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2013 | ![]() | December 2011 | More recent by 22 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Nikon 1 AW1
NEX-7 | 1 AW1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Nikon 1 AW1 and Sony NEX-7
1 AW1 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Equal display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon 1 AW1 comes with physical measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Sony NEX-7 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).
See the Nikon 1 AW1 versus Sony NEX-7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the 1 AW1 against the NEX-7.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 AW1 and NEX-7 is 86 and 84 respectively.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 AW1 and NEX-7.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 1 AW1 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony NEX-7 will resolve greater detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The younger 1 AW1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications
Nikon 1 AW1 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 AW1 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2013-09-19 | 2011-12-13 |
Body design | 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 | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 135 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 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) | 6.00 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, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/60 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 356 gr (0.78 pounds) | 400 gr (0.88 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 51 | 81 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 24.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.9 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | 428 | 1016 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 pictures | 430 pictures |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL20 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $0 | $699 |