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Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000

Portability
92
Imaging
41
Features
56
Overall
47
Nikon 1 S1 front
 
Sony Alpha a5000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
62
Features
62
Overall
62

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 197g - 102 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Successor is Nikon 1 S2
Sony a5000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-3N
  • Replacement is Sony a5100
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Nikon 1 S1 versus Sony a5000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the 1 S1 (10MP) and a5000 (20MP) and the 1 S1 (1") and a5000 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The 1 S1 was manufactured 6 months before the a5000 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the 1 S1 grades against the a5000 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Sony a5000

 1 S1 a5000 

Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Nikon 1 S1

 a5000 1 S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 S1 and Sony a5000

 1 S1 a5000 
AnnouncedJune 2013January 2014Same generation
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 S1 has exterior dimensions of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony a5000 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 S1 versus Sony a5000 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the 1 S1 versus the a5000.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 S1 and a5000 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 S1 and a5000.

Clearly, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 S1 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony a5000 will provide more detail due to its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Portrait photography advice
Sony a5000 Portrait photography advice
48
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
70
you can focus manually
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Street photography advice
Sony a5000 Street photography advice
69
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (197g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
78
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a5000 as a Sports photography camera
49
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
sensor size is nice (1")
offers tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
low battery (220 shots)
59
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
good battery (420 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 S1
Travel photography with Sony a5000
61
lighter than competition in class (197g)
built-in flash
low battery (220 shots)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
78
good battery (420 per charge)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Landscape photography features
Sony a5000 Landscape photography features
56
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
low battery (220 CIPA)
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (420 shots)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5000 as a Vlogging camera
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (197g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic socket
32
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing mic port
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Sony a5000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S1 and Sony a5000
 Nikon 1 S1Sony Alpha a5000
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 S1 Sony Alpha a5000
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-06-21 2014-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 135 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Sony E
Total lenses 13 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.6
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 15.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/60s 1/160s
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 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 197 grams (0.43 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 79
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 13.0
DXO Low light score 397 1089
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 420 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $231 $448