Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a3500
91 Imaging
52 Features
78 Overall
62


69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a3500 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
- Introduced April 2015
- Older Model is Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
- Introduced March 2014
- Succeeded the Sony A3000

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a3500 Overview
In this article, we are reviewing the Nikon 1 J5 versus Sony a3500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the 1 J5 (21MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is very comparable but the 1 J5 (1") and a3500 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

The 1 J5 was revealed 13 months later than the a3500 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon 1 J5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the 1 J5 grades versus the a3500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a3500 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 J5 & Sony Alpha a3500. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 J5 Gallery & Sony a3500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Sony a3500
1 J5 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2015 | ![]() | March 2014 | Fresher by 13 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+807k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Nikon 1 J5
a3500 | 1 J5 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony a3500
1 J5 | a3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display size |
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon 1 J5 features outside dimensions of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony a3500 has specifications of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
Examine the Nikon 1 J5 versus Sony a3500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the 1 J5 and the a3500.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J5 and a3500 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing specs. The graphic below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J5 and a3500.
All in all, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1 J5 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Nikon 1 J5 will produce greater detail because of its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The younger 1 J5 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a3500 Specifications
Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha a3500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha a3500 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2015-04-03 | 2014-03-21 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 5A | BIONZ image |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 5456 x 3632 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 171 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.47x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Maximum silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 20.0fps | 4.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) |
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 | Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum 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 |
Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 231 grams (0.51 lbs) | 411 grams (0.91 lbs) |
Dimensions | 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 65 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 479 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | 470 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL24 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | - |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $497 | $398 |