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


89 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
- Replaced the Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Introduced August 2012
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-5T

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon 1 J5 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the 1 J5 (21MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the 1 J5 (1") and NEX-5R (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

The 1 J5 was released 2 years after the NEX-5R which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the 1 J5 matches up vs the NEX-5R with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 J5 & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 J5 Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Sony NEX-5R
1 J5 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2015 | ![]() | August 2012 | More modern by 32 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+117k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Nikon 1 J5
NEX-5R | 1 J5 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony NEX-5R
1 J5 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J5 comes with physical measurements of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5R has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Check out the Nikon 1 J5 versus Sony NEX-5R in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the 1 J5 versus the NEX-5R.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J5 and NEX-5R is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is tough to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The picture below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J5 and NEX-5R.
All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J5 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Nikon 1 J5 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer 1 J5 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2015-04-03 | 2012-08-29 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | 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 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 171 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 1,037k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Max quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 20.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 231 gr (0.51 lbs) | 276 gr (0.61 lbs) |
Dimensions | 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 65 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.0 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 479 | 910 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | 330 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL24 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $497 | $750 |