Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-6
91 Imaging
52 Features
78 Overall
62


85 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-6 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 231g - 98 x 60 x 32mm
- Launched April 2015
- Superseded the Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 345g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Released March 2013
- Newer Model is Sony A6000

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-6 Overview
In this write-up, we will be looking at the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony NEX-6, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the 1 J5 (21MP) and NEX-6 (16MP) and the 1 J5 (1") and NEX-6 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

The 1 J5 was manufactured 2 years later than the NEX-6 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the 1 J5 grades against the NEX-6 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-6 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 J5 & Sony Alpha NEX-6. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J5 Gallery & Sony NEX-6 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Sony NEX-6
1 J5 | NEX-6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2015 | ![]() | March 2013 | More recent by 25 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer screen (+116k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-6 over the Nikon 1 J5
NEX-6 | 1 J5 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony NEX-6
1 J5 | NEX-6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-6 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J5 comes with exterior dimensions of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-6 has dimensions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs).
Check the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony NEX-6 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the 1 J5 compared to the NEX-6.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J5 and NEX-6 is 91 and 85 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-6 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over specs. The graphic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J5 and NEX-6.
All in all, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 J5 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Nikon 1 J5 will offer you extra detail due to its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher 1 J5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony NEX-6 Specifications
Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2015-04-03 | 2013-03-25 |
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 | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 171 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Available lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90� and Down 45� |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Highest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 20.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 6.00 m |
Flash options | 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 | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 4K (15p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (120p/60p/30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 231g (0.51 pounds) | 345g (0.76 pounds) |
Dimensions | 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 65 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.0 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light score | 479 | 1018 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 images | 360 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 shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage media | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $497 | $365 |