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Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
84
Imaging
40
Features
68
Overall
51
Nikon 1 V1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Nikon 1 V1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 383g - 113 x 76 x 44mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 V2
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
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5N
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Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the 1 V1 (10MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the 1 V1 (1") and NEX-5 (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The 1 V1 was revealed 20 months after the NEX-5 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick view of how the 1 V1 grades against the NEX-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V1 over the Sony NEX-5

 1 V1 NEX-5 
RevealedJanuary 2012June 2010More modern by 20 months
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon 1 V1

 NEX-5 1 V1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon 1 V1 and Sony NEX-5

 1 V1 NEX-5 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 V1 has got exterior dimensions of 113mm x 76mm x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") having a weight of 383 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check out the Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the 1 V1 vs the NEX-5.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 V1 and NEX-5 is 84 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing specs. The image below may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 V1 and NEX-5.

All in all, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 V1 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony NEX-5 will result in greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively. The fresher 1 V1 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography advice
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon 1 V1
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
62
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
76
screen tilts
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Sports photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography highlights
53
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
52
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography highlights
41
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
59
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 V1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
68
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 V1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
30
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone support
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Nikon 1 V1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 V1 and Sony NEX-5
 Nikon 1 V1Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon 1 V1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-01-20 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 135 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Sony E
Number of lenses 13 121
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 383g (0.84 lb) 287g (0.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 76 x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 69
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 12.2
DXO Low light score 346 796
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 330 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $670 $599