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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Newer Model is Nikon 1 J2
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the 1 J1 (10MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the 1 J1 (1") and NEX-5R (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J1 was revealed 7 months before the NEX-5R so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the 1 J1 matches up versus the NEX-5R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 1 J1 NEX-5R 

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

 NEX-5R 1 J1 
IntroducedAugust 2012January 2012More recent by 7 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

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

 1 J1 NEX-5R 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J1 comes with outer measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

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Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the 1 J1 versus the NEX-5R.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J1 and NEX-5R is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J1 and NEX-5R.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 J1 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-5R will render more detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The older 1 J1 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Portrait photography camera
48
manual focus
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Street photography factors
69
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (234g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
80
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
offers touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Sports photography details
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography details
48
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (1")
features tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
68
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 J1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
60
lighter than competitors (234g)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (230 shots)
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
73
offers touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
56
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (230 per charge)
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 J1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
30
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (234 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
31
touchscreen enabled
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Sony NEX-5R
 Nikon 1 J1Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 J1 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-20 2012-08-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 135 99
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Sony E
Available lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� 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
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 234 gr (0.52 pounds) 276 gr (0.61 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 78
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 13.1
DXO Low light rating 372 910
Other
Battery life 230 shots 330 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at launch $625 $750