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Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Nikon Z fc front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Nikon Z fc
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
  • Launched June 2021
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T
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Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z fc (21MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The Z fc was manufactured 8 years after the NEX-5R which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z fc being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the Z fc grades against the NEX-5R in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Sony NEX-5R

 Z fc NEX-5R 
IntroducedJune 2021August 2012Newer by 108 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k920kCrisper display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Nikon Z fc

 NEX-5R Z fc 

Common features in the Nikon Z fc and Sony NEX-5R

 Z fc NEX-5R 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z fc features outer measurements of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 445 grams (0.98 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).

See the Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the Z fc versus the NEX-5R.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Z fc and NEX-5R is 79 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over specs. The image below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z fc and NEX-5R.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Nikon Z fc to offer more detail due to its extra 5MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern Z fc provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z fc Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography highlights
82
has manual focus
MP count decent (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z fc as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
74
screen articulates
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
has focus by touch
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (445 grams)
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z fc
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
68
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (300 per charge)
68
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z fc Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography features
72
has bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery life (300 per charge)
heavier than competition (445g)
73
includes touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z fc Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography details
75
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count decent (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (300 shots)
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z fc
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
74
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic socket
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (445g)
31
touchscreen capability
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing mic support
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Nikon Z fc vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z fc and Sony NEX-5R
 Nikon Z fcSony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z fc Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2021-06-28 2012-08-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 209 99
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 21 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 445 grams (0.98 lb) 276 grams (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 910
Other
Battery life 300 images 330 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $949 $750