Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-5
79 Imaging
69 Features
84 Overall
75
89 Imaging
53 Features
58 Overall
55
Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
- Announced June 2022
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Launched June 2010
- Replacement is Sony NEX-5N
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Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the Z30 (21MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (APS-C).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe Z30 was released 12 years later than the NEX-5 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the Z30 grades versus the NEX-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Z30 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon Z30 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Sony NEX-5
| Z30 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | June 2022 | June 2010 | More recent by 147 months | |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen resolution | 1040k | 920k | Sharper screen (+120k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies | |||
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon Z30
| NEX-5 | Z30 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-5
| Z30 | NEX-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Dial accurate focusing | |||
| Screen dimensions | 3.00" | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z30 has physical measurements of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Compare the Nikon Z30 and Sony NEX-5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the Z30 and the NEX-5.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the Z30 and NEX-5 is 79 and 89 respectively.
Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Z30 and NEX-5.
As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon Z30 to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The younger Z30 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.
Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon Z30 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
| Nikon Z30 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon Z30 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2022-06-29 | 2010-06-07 |
| Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | 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 | 21MP | 14MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 12800 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | 204800 | - |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 209 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Available lenses | 35 | 121 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| Screen diagonal | 3.00 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 1,040k dots | 920k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 11.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | 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 | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| 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 | 405 grams (0.89 lbs) | 287 grams (0.63 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 69 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 796 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 330 pictures | 330 pictures |
| 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 | ||
| Type of storage | - | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch cost | $650 | $599 |