Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-5
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51


89 Imaging
53 Features
58 Overall
55
Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
- Announced November 2013
- Replaced the Nikon 1 J2
- Successor is Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Introduced June 2010
- Renewed by Sony NEX-5N

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon 1 J3 versus Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is relatively similar but the 1 J3 (1") and NEX-5 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

The 1 J3 was released 3 years after the NEX-5 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the 1 J3 scores against the NEX-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 J3 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J3 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Sony NEX-5
1 J3 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | November 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 43 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon 1 J3
NEX-5 | 1 J3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Sony NEX-5
1 J3 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J3 has outer measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Look at the Nikon 1 J3 versus Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the 1 J3 against the NEX-5.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J3 and NEX-5 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading specs. The picture below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J3 and NEX-5.
All in all, both of those cameras offer the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor sizes. The 1 J3 has the tinier sensor which should make obtaining bokeh harder. The more modern 1 J3 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Nikon 1 J3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 J3 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2013-11-30 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | 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 | 14MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 135 | 25 |
Cross focus points | 41 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Available lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 921k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 15.0fps | 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 options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 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 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
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 | 201g (0.44 lbs) | 287g (0.63 lbs) |
Dimensions | 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 52 | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.4 | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.0 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 420 | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photos | 330 photos |
Form 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 | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $170 | $599 |