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


89 Imaging
56 Features
76 Overall
64
Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 197g - 102 x 61 x 30mm
- Revealed June 2013
- New Model is Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Revealed August 2012
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
- New Model is Sony NEX-5T

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Nikon 1 S1 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the 1 S1 (10MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the 1 S1 (1") and NEX-5R (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

The 1 S1 was manufactured 10 months later than the NEX-5R which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the 1 S1 grades against the NEX-5R when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 S1 & Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon 1 S1 Gallery & Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Sony NEX-5R
1 S1 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | June 2013 | ![]() | August 2012 | Fresher by 10 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Nikon 1 S1
NEX-5R | 1 S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon 1 S1 and Sony NEX-5R
1 S1 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen |
Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 S1 has got outside dimensions of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
Look at the Nikon 1 S1 versus Sony NEX-5R in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the 1 S1 versus the NEX-5R.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 S1 and NEX-5R is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Often, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 S1 and NEX-5R.
As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1 S1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony NEX-5R will produce extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer 1 S1 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Nikon 1 S1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon 1 S1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2013-06-21 | 2012-08-29 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 135 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Available lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Highest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 15.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/60 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 197 gr (0.43 lb) | 276 gr (0.61 lb) |
Dimensions | 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.1 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 397 | 910 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 images | 330 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL20 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $231 | $750 |