Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1
85 Imaging
43 Features
66 Overall
52


61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 278g - 109 x 82 x 46mm
- Announced October 2012
- Earlier Model is Nikon 1 V1
- Updated by Nikon 1 V3
(Full Review)
- 50MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Sony E Mount
- 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
- Launched January 2021

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the 1 V2 (14MP) and a1 (50MP) and the 1 V2 (1") and a1 (Full frame) provide different sensor size.

The 1 V2 was brought out 9 years prior to the a1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the 1 V2 scores versus the a1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 V2 & Sony Alpha a1. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon 1 V2 Gallery & Sony a1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V2 over the Sony a1
1 V2 | a1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Nikon 1 V2
a1 | 1 V2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2021 | ![]() | October 2012 | Fresher by 100 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper screen (+519k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Nikon 1 V2 and Sony a1
1 V2 | a1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 V2 has outside dimensions of 109mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.3" x 3.2" x 1.8") and a weight of 278 grams (0.61 lbs) while the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Check the Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the 1 V2 versus the a1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 V2 and a1 is 85 and 61 respectively.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 V2 and a1.
Clearly, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1 V2 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony a1 will provide extra detail having its extra 36 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older 1 V2 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V2 vs Sony a1 Specifications
Nikon 1 V2 | Sony Alpha a1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon 1 V2 | Sony Alpha a1 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Announced | 2012-10-24 | 2021-01-26 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 3A | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 50 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 8640 x 5760 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 32000 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 102400 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 73 | 759 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 13 | 133 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 921k dots | 1,440k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440k dots | 9,437k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.9x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | 1/32000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 15.0 frames per second | 30.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/400s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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) | 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 7680x4320 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | Yes |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 278 grams (0.61 lbs) | 737 grams (1.62 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 82 x 46mm (4.3" x 3.2" x 1.8") | 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 50 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.2 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.8 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 403 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 pictures | 530 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL21 | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) |
Card slots | One | 2 |
Retail price | $599 | $6,498 |