Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-5N
91 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
48


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
- Revealed August 2012
- Superseded the Nikon 1 J1
- New Model is Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Revealed October 2011
- Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5
- Later Model is Sony NEX-5R

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Below is a complete comparison of the Nikon 1 J2 versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the 1 J2 (10MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the 1 J2 (1") and NEX-5N (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

The 1 J2 was brought out 11 months later than the NEX-5N which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the 1 J2 scores versus the NEX-5N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 J2 & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J2 Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Sony NEX-5N
1 J2 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2012 | ![]() | October 2011 | More recent by 11 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Nikon 1 J2
NEX-5N | 1 J2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony NEX-5N
1 J2 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J2 provides external dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Compare the Nikon 1 J2 versus Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the 1 J2 vs the NEX-5N.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J2 and NEX-5N is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading specs. The graphic here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J2 and NEX-5N.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 1 J2 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-5N will offer greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The younger 1 J2 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Nikon 1 J2 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 J2 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-08-09 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 3 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
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 | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/60 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 238 gr (0.52 lbs) | 269 gr (0.59 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 | 54 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.3 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.8 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 363 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 pictures | 460 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL20 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $550 | $550 |