Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5000
91 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
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89 Imaging
62 Features
62 Overall
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5000 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
- Revealed August 2012
- Succeeded the Nikon 1 J1
- Replacement is Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Released January 2014
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3N
- Renewed by Sony a5100

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5000 Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony a5000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the 1 J2 (10MP) and a5000 (20MP) and the 1 J2 (1") and a5000 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

The 1 J2 was launched 17 months before the a5000 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the 1 J2 matches up versus the a5000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5000 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 J2 & Sony Alpha a5000. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 J2 Gallery & Sony a5000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Sony a5000
1 J2 | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Nikon 1 J2
a5000 | 1 J2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | August 2012 | More recent by 17 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony a5000
1 J2 | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon 1 J2 has exterior dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony a5000 has specifications of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Examine the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony a5000 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the 1 J2 vs the a5000.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J2 and a5000 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements merely by looking at specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J2 and a5000.
All in all, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 1 J2 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony a5000 will give you more detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older 1 J2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5000 Specifications
Nikon 1 J2 | Sony Alpha a5000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon 1 J2 | Sony Alpha a5000 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-08-09 | 2014-01-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 3 | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 357.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 5456 x 3632 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 135 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 921k dots | 461k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Highest silent shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/60s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | 238 gr (0.52 pounds) | 269 gr (0.59 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 54 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.3 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.8 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 363 | 1089 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 shots | 420 shots |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL20 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $550 | $448 |