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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(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
Sony NEX-5
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Sony NEX-5

 1 J1 NEX-5 
IntroducedJanuary 2012June 2010More modern by 20 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon 1 J1

 NEX-5 1 J1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-5

 1 J1 NEX-5 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J1
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
48
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
72
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Street photography details
Sony NEX-5 Street photography details
69
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (234g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
76
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography factors
48
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
nice sensor size (1")
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
bad battery life (230 per charge)
52
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography highlights
60
lighter than competition (234 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
59
MP count good (14MP)
lack of Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
56
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
bad battery life (230 per charge)
68
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging factors
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (234 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-5
 Nikon 1 J1Sony 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