Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N
93 Imaging
44 Features
60 Overall
50


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 S2 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 S2 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Sony NEX-5N
1 S2 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | May 2014 | ![]() | October 2011 | Fresher by 33 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Nikon 1 S2
NEX-5N | 1 S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper 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 dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Nikon 1 S2 | Sony 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 |