Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5
91 Imaging
40 Features
56 Overall
46


89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
- Released January 2012
- Later Model is Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Replacement is Sony NEX-5N

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Below, we are matching up the Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the 1 J1 (10MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the 1 J1 (1") and NEX-5 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

The 1 J1 was introduced 20 months after the NEX-5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the 1 J1 matches up vs the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon 1 J1 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J1 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Sony NEX-5
1 J1 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 20 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon 1 J1
NEX-5 | 1 J1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-5
1 J1 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J1 comes with physical measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the 1 J1 compared to the NEX-5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J1 and NEX-5 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The image below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J1 and NEX-5.
All in all, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 J1 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-5 will render greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images much more aggressively. The more modern 1 J1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Nikon 1 J1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 J1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2012-01-20 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | 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 | 10 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 135 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Max quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/60s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 234 grams (0.52 lbs) | 287 grams (0.63 lbs) |
Dimensions | 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 56 | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.5 | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 372 | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 photos | 330 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL20 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $625 | $599 |