Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5
92 Imaging
40 Features
56 Overall
46


89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 S1 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 S1 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Sony NEX-5
1 S1 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 37 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon 1 S1
NEX-5 | 1 S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon 1 S1 and Sony NEX-5
1 S1 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Nikon 1 S1 | Sony 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 |