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Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100

Portability
92
Imaging
49
Features
62
Overall
54
Nikon 1 J4 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 232g - 100 x 60 x 29mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon 1 J3
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J5
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
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony a5000
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon 1 J4 versus Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the 1 J4 (18MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the 1 J4 (1") and a5100 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The 1 J4 was brought out 4 months prior to the a5100 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the 1 J4 grades versus the a5100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Sony a5100

 1 J4 a5100 
Display resolution1037k922kCrisper display (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Nikon 1 J4

 a5100 1 J4 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon 1 J4 and Sony a5100

 1 J4 a5100 
RevealedApril 2014August 2014Similar age
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J4 has got outer measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony a5100 has measurements of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Examine the Nikon 1 J4 versus Sony a5100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the 1 J4 vs the a5100.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J4 and a5100 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J4 and a5100.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 1 J4 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Sony a5100 will offer you greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Portrait photography info
Sony a5100 Portrait photography info
56
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
nice sensor size (1")
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 as a Street photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Street photography camera
74
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
offers touch to focus
lighter than competition (232g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
82
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Sports photography information
Sony a5100 Sports photography information
62
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
features tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
not so great battery (300 per charge)
68
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (400 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Travel photography advice
Sony a5100 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competition (232g)
offers touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
80
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
boasts touch focus
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Landscape photography factors
Sony a5100 Landscape photography factors
56
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
no image stabilization
not so great battery (300 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (400 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Vlogging details
Sony a5100 Vlogging details
34
has touchscreen
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (232 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone support
34
touch screen
provides face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J4 and Sony a5100
 Nikon 1 J4Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 J4 Sony Alpha a5100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-04-10 2014-08-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4 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 18MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5232 x 3488 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 171 179
Cross type focus points 105 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Sony E
Number of lenses 13 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
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 speed 60.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1472 x 984 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 232g (0.51 pounds) 283g (0.62 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1347
Other
Battery life 300 shots 400 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL22 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage media microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $600 $448