Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N
85 Imaging
43 Features
66 Overall
52


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 278g - 109 x 82 x 46mm
- Released October 2012
- Replaced the Nikon 1 V1
- Refreshed by Nikon 1 V3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Revealed October 2011
- Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Below is a complete comparison of the Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the 1 V2 (14MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is very well matched but the 1 V2 (1") and NEX-5N (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

The 1 V2 was revealed 13 months later than the NEX-5N making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon 1 V2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the 1 V2 matches up vs the NEX-5N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 V2 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The full galleries are available at Nikon 1 V2 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V2 over the Sony NEX-5N
1 V2 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | October 2012 | ![]() | October 2011 | More recent by 13 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Nikon 1 V2
NEX-5N | 1 V2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon 1 V2 and Sony NEX-5N
1 V2 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon 1 V2 has got outside measurements of 109mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.3" x 3.2" x 1.8") with a weight of 278 grams (0.61 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has specifications 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 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the 1 V2 vs the NEX-5N.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 V2 and NEX-5N is 85 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements merely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 V2 and NEX-5N.
As you can see, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 1 V2 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Sony NEX-5N will give extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The newer 1 V2 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Nikon 1 V2 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon 1 V2 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2012-10-24 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 3A | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 73 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
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 | 15.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | - | 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 |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
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 (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 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 278 gr (0.61 lbs) | 269 gr (0.59 lbs) |
Dimensions | 109 x 82 x 46mm (4.3" x 3.2" x 1.8") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 50 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.8 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 403 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 pictures | 460 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL21 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $599 | $550 |