Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100
91 Imaging
52 Features
78 Overall
62


89 Imaging
65 Features
74 Overall
68
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100 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
- Previous Model is Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Introduced August 2014
- Succeeded the Sony a5000

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100 Overview
Here, we will be looking at the Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the 1 J5 (21MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is pretty comparable but the 1 J5 (1") and a5100 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

The 1 J5 was revealed 8 months later than the a5100 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the 1 J5 scores against the a5100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 J5 and Sony Alpha a5100. The full galleries are available at Nikon 1 J5 Gallery and Sony a5100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Sony a5100
1 J5 | a5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2015 | ![]() | August 2014 | More recent by 8 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 922k | Clearer screen (+115k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Nikon 1 J5
a5100 | 1 J5 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony a5100
1 J5 | a5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J5 comes with external measurements of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") along with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).
Examine the Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the 1 J5 versus the a5100.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J5 and a5100 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by going through specifications. The visual here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J5 and a5100.
To sum up, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 1 J5 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony a5100 will provide greater detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern 1 J5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony a5100 Specifications
Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha a5100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 J5 | Sony Alpha a5100 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2015-04-03 | 2014-08-17 |
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 | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21MP | 24MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 171 | 179 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Available lenses | 13 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 20.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
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, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
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 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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) | 283 grams (0.62 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 All around score | 65 | 80 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.1 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.0 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 479 | 1347 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 shots | 400 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL24 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot)) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $497 | $448 |