Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5000
91 Imaging
51 Features
78 Overall
61
89 Imaging
61 Features
62 Overall
61
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5000 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
- Superseded the Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Introduced January 2014
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-3N
- Newer Model is Sony a5100
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Here, we are looking at the Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the 1 J5 (21MP) and the a5000 (20MP) is fairly close but the 1 J5 (1") and a5000 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 1 J5 was brought out 16 months later than the a5000 making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the 1 J5 scores vs the a5000 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon 1 J5 & Sony Alpha a5000. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J5 Gallery & Sony a5000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Sony a5000
| 1 J5 | a5000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | April 2015 | January 2014 | More recent by 16 months | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 461k | Crisper display (+576k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies | |||
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Nikon 1 J5
| a5000 | 1 J5 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony a5000
| 1 J5 | a5000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very accurate focusing | |||
| Display type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting display | |
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display measurements |
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J5 features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony a5000 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5000 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the 1 J5 against the a5000.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J5 and a5000 is 91 and 89 respectively.
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through specs. The visual below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J5 and a5000.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 1 J5 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Nikon 1 J5 will result in greater detail having its extra 1MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher 1 J5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5000 Specifications
| Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha a5000 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha a5000 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2015-04-03 | 2014-01-07 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Expeed 5A | Bionz X |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm |
| Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 357.3mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 21MP | 20MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Peak resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 5456 x 3632 |
| Highest native ISO | 12800 | 16000 |
| Min native ISO | 160 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 171 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 13 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.6 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 461 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Max silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
| Continuous shutter speed | 20.0 frames per sec | 4.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| 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 | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | - | 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 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 231 grams (0.51 pounds) | 269 grams (0.59 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 65 | 79 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 23.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 12.0 | 13.0 |
| DXO Low light score | 479 | 1089 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 250 photos | 420 photos |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | EN-EL24 | NP-FW50 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
| Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
| Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch pricing | $497 | $448 |