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Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon 1 J2 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 J1
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J3
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony a5000
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the 1 J2 (10MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the 1 J2 (1") and a5100 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The 1 J2 was introduced 24 months prior to the a5100 making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the 1 J2 scores against the a5100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Sony a5100

 1 J2 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Nikon 1 J2

 a5100 1 J2 
ReleasedAugust 2014August 2012More recent by 24 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k921kClearer display (+1k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Sony a5100

 1 J2 a5100 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J2 has got physical measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check out the Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the 1 J2 and the a5100.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J2 and a5100 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements only by going over specifications. The graphic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J2 and a5100.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 1 J2 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony a5100 will offer you extra detail using its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The older 1 J2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Portrait photography features
Sony a5100 Portrait photography features
48
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Street photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Street photography camera
69
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (238g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
82
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 J2
Sports photography with Sony a5100
48
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
decent sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
68
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery pack (400 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Travel photography details
Sony a5100 Travel photography details
60
lighter than competition (238 grams)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
resolution not great (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
80
good battery pack (400 per charge)
supports focus via touch
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony a5100 Landscape photography highlights
56
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Vlogging highlights
Sony a5100 Vlogging highlights
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (238g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
34
has touchscreen
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone socket
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J2 and Sony a5100
 Nikon 1 J2Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 J2 Sony Alpha a5100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-08-09 2014-08-17
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 135 179
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Sony E
Number of lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/60 seconds -
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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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 238g (0.52 lbs) 283g (0.62 lbs)
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 Overall rating 54 80
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 12.7
DXO Low light rating 363 1347
Other
Battery life 230 images 400 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $550 $448