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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Introduced May 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon 1 S1
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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5N
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Nikon 1 S2 versus Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very similar but the 1 S2 (1") and NEX-5 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 1 S2 was unveiled 4 years after the NEX-5 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the 1 S2 matches up vs the NEX-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Sony NEX-5

 1 S2 NEX-5 
LaunchedMay 2014June 2010More modern by 49 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon 1 S2

 NEX-5 1 S2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-5

 1 S2 NEX-5 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon 1 S2 has physical measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon 1 S2 versus Sony NEX-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the 1 S2 versus the NEX-5.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 S2 and NEX-5 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S2 and NEX-5.

Clearly, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 S2 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Nikon 1 S2 will offer you more detail having an extra 0.2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The fresher 1 S2 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography advice
60
has manual focus
resolution is good (14.2 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Street photography factors
71
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others (190 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
76
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography information
60
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
resolution is good (14.2 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (270 shots)
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 S2
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
66
lighter than others (190 grams)
resolution is good (14.2MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (270 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
59
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography info
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (14.2MP)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery life (270 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
68
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging highlights
33
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (190g)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have mic support
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic support
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-5
 Nikon 1 S2Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon 1 S2 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-05-21 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4A Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.1 x 8.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 115.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3072 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 171 25
Cross type focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Sony E
Total lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash settings Fill, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/ slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190 grams (0.42 lb) 287 grams (0.63 lb)
Dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life 270 shots 330 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL22 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $450 $599