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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
93
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Announced May 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon 1 S1
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Nikon 1 S2 versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively well matched but the 1 S2 (1") and NEX-5N (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The 1 S2 was unveiled 2 years later than the NEX-5N and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the 1 S2 scores against the NEX-5N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 1 S2 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedMay 2014October 2011Fresher by 33 months

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

 NEX-5N 1 S2 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 1 S2 NEX-5N 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 S2 has physical measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Nikon 1 S2 versus Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the 1 S2 against the NEX-5N.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 S2 and NEX-5N is 93 and 89 respectively.

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

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S2 and NEX-5N.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The 1 S2 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony NEX-5N will give you greater detail having an extra 1.8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent 1 S2 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
59
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (14.2MP)
nice sensor size (1")
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
no external flash support
73
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
70
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than others in class (190g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
80
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 S2
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
59
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames/s)
megapixel count decent (14.2 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (270 shots)
58
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography features
66
lighter than others in class (190g)
megapixel count decent (14.2 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (270 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
great battery life (460 per charge)
has touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography advice
60
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14.2MP)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (270 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 S2
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
33
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (190 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic support
33
touchscreen capability
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Sony NEX-5N
 Nikon 1 S2Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 S2 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-05-21 2011-10-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 115.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3072 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 171 25
Cross focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Sony E
Number of lenses 13 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash modes 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 data format MPEG-4 AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 190 gr (0.42 lb) 269 gr (0.59 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 score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 270 images 460 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL22 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $450 $550