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Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400

Portability
91
Imaging
52
Features
78
Overall
62
Nikon 1 J5 front
 
Sony Alpha a6400 front
Portability
83
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J5
(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
  • Earlier Model is Nikon 1 J4
Sony A6400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 403g - 120 x 67 x 50mm
  • Launched January 2019
Photography Glossary

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the 1 J5 (21MP) and the A6400 (24MP) is relatively similar but the 1 J5 (1") and A6400 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The 1 J5 was released 4 years before the A6400 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the 1 J5 matches up versus the A6400 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Sony A6400

 1 J5 A6400 
Screen resolution1037k922kClearer screen (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A6400 over the Nikon 1 J5

 A6400 1 J5 
LaunchedJanuary 2019April 2015More modern by 46 months

Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Sony A6400

 1 J5 A6400 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon 1 J5 has outer dimensions of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony A6400 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0") with a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs).

See the Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the 1 J5 compared to the A6400.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J5 and A6400 is 91 and 83 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The image underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J5 and A6400.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A6400 will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged 1 J5 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A6400 as a Portrait photography camera
64
manual focus
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
81
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Street photography factors
Sony A6400 Street photography factors
80
tilting screen
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (231g)
does not have image stabilization
81
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment proof
very good ISO range (32,000)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A6400 as a Sports photography camera
63
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 fps)
good MP (21MP)
sensor size is good (1")
includes tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (250 shots)
76
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Travel photography features
Sony A6400 Travel photography features
80
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
comes with focus by touch
good MP (21 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery (250 shots)
87
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Landscape photography advice
Sony A6400 Landscape photography advice
68
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
no anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (250 shots)
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Vlogging highlights
Sony A6400 Vlogging highlights
75
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic socket
80
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone port
no image stabilization
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Nikon 1 J5 vs Sony A6400 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J5 and Sony A6400
 Nikon 1 J5Sony Alpha a6400
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 J5 Sony Alpha a6400
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2015-04-03 2019-01-15
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 surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 171 425
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Sony E
Available lenses 13 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 20.0fps 11.0fps
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 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 Off, auto, on, slow sync, rear sync, redeye reduction, wireless, hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231 gr (0.51 lb) 403 gr (0.89 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 120 x 67 x 50mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 65 83
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 13.6
DXO Low light rating 479 1431
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 410 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL24 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick DUO (UHS-I compliant)
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $497 $898