Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5
91 Imaging
52 Features
78 Overall
62


89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 160 - 12800
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 231g - 98 x 60 x 32mm
- Released April 2015
- Old Model 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
- Launched June 2010
- Later Model is Sony NEX-5N

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Following is a extensive overview of the Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the 1 J5 (21MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the 1 J5 (1") and NEX-5 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

The 1 J5 was unveiled 4 years after the NEX-5 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the 1 J5 scores versus the NEX-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 J5 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The full galleries are available at Nikon 1 J5 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Sony NEX-5
1 J5 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2015 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 59 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+117k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon 1 J5
NEX-5 | 1 J5 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony NEX-5
1 J5 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J5 enjoys outer measurements of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the 1 J5 compared to the NEX-5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J5 and NEX-5 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over specs. The picture here may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J5 and NEX-5.
All in all, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J5 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Nikon 1 J5 will offer greater detail having an extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern 1 J5 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2015-04-03 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed 5A | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-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 | 21 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 171 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Available lenses | 13 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 1,037 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 20.0 frames per second | 7.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | 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 | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 4K (15p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (120p/60p/30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 231g (0.51 lb) | 287g (0.63 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 65 | 69 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.0 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 479 | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 images | 330 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL24 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $497 | $599 |