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Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
90
Imaging
34
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S31 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Nikon S31
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.9" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F) lens
  • 185g - 105 x 65 x 42mm
  • Revealed June 2013
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Nikon S31 versus Sony NEX-5R, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the S31 (10MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the S31 (1/2.9") and NEX-5R (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

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The S31 was brought out 10 months after the NEX-5R so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon S31 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the S31 matches up versus the NEX-5R when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S31 over the Sony NEX-5R

 S31 NEX-5R 
LaunchedJune 2013August 2012Newer by 10 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Nikon S31

 NEX-5R S31 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon S31 and Sony NEX-5R

 S31 NEX-5R 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S31 enjoys outer measurements of 105mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Examine the Nikon S31 versus Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the S31 compared to the NEX-5R.

Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S31 and NEX-5R is 90 and 89 respectively.

Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by checking specs. The pic here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S31 and NEX-5R.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S31 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Sony NEX-5R will resolve more detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher S31 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Portrait photography camera
20
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.9")
has no RAW support
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon S31 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
52
weather sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.9")
has no RAW support
80
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S31
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
25
weather sealing
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.9")
has no phase detect auto focus
68
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S31 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography features
59
weather sealing
has built in flash
very good maximum aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
73
provides focus via touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S31 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography features
30
very good maximum aperture (f)
weather sealing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.9")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S31 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging advice
24
very good maximum aperture (f)
wide angle not great (29mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
31
built-in touchscreen
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no microphone port
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Nikon S31 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S31 and Sony NEX-5R
 Nikon Coolpix S31Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S31 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-06-21 2012-08-29
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.9" APS-C
Sensor measurements 4.96 x 3.72mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 18.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 99
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 29-87mm (3.0x) -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 7.3 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 185 grams (0.41 lb) 276 grams (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 65 x 42mm (4.1" x 2.6" x 1.7") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 910
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 330 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL12 NPFW50
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $90 $750