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Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
56
Overall
47
Nikon 1 S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 197g - 102 x 61 x 30mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Later Model is Nikon 1 S2
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5N
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Nikon 1 S1 versus Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the 1 S1 (10MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the 1 S1 (1") and NEX-5 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The 1 S1 was revealed 3 years after the NEX-5 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the 1 S1 grades versus the NEX-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Sony NEX-5

 1 S1 NEX-5 
ReleasedJune 2013June 2010More modern by 37 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon 1 S1

 NEX-5 1 S1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 S1 and Sony NEX-5

 1 S1 NEX-5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 S1 provides outside measurements of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Compare the Nikon 1 S1 versus Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the 1 S1 against the NEX-5.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the 1 S1 and NEX-5 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S1 and NEX-5.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 S1 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony NEX-5 will give you greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more recent 1 S1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography highlights
48
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5 Street photography features
69
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (197g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 S1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5
49
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
sensor size is nice (1")
has tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery (220 per charge)
52
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 S1
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
61
lighter than competition in class (197g)
has built in flash
bad battery (220 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
59
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
56
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery (220 shots)
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
30
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (197 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
28
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone port
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S1 and Sony NEX-5
 Nikon 1 S1Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 S1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-06-21 2010-06-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 135 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon 1 Sony E
Total lenses 13 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 15.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/60 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
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 197 grams (0.43 pounds) 287 grams (0.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 69
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 12.2
DXO Low light score 397 796
Other
Battery life 220 images 330 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $231 $599