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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100

Portability
62
Imaging
77
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Alpha a6100 front
Portability
81
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced July 2020
Sony A6100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 51200)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 67 x 59mm
  • Announced August 2019
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon Z5 versus Sony A6100, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the A6100 (24MP) is relatively similar but the Z5 (Full frame) and A6100 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The Z5 was revealed 11 months after the A6100 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A6100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the Z5 scores against the A6100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A6100

 Z5 A6100 
AnnouncedJuly 2020August 2019More modern by 11 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k922kCrisper screen (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A6100 over the Nikon Z5

 A6100 Z5 
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A6100

 Z5 A6100 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon Z5 provides outer dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Sony A6100 has sizing of 120mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z5 versus Sony A6100 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the Z5 compared to the A6100.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and A6100 is 62 and 81 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specs. The picture below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and A6100.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide the same megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The Z5 uses the bigger sensor which will make achieving bokeh less difficult. The more modern Z5 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A6100 as a Portrait photography camera
86
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
82
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z5
Street photography with Sony A6100
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
includes focus by touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competitors in class (675g)
79
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features touch focus
above average ISO range (32,000)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography information
Sony A6100 Sports photography information
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery power (470 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 fps)
75
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z5
Travel photography with Sony A6100
68
great battery power (470 shots)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes focus by touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competitors in class (675g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
86
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A6100 Landscape photography highlights
87
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
great battery power (470 CIPA)
two card slots
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A6100 as a Vlogging camera
34
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors in class (675 grams)
79
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
offers face detect focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
lack of image stabilization
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A6100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A6100
 Nikon Z5Sony Alpha a6100
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z5 Sony Alpha a6100
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2020-07-20 2019-08-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 32000
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 273 425
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 15 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.5fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Flash off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless, hi-speed
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 @ 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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 gr (1.49 pounds) 396 gr (0.87 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 120 x 67 x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 photographs 420 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Dual Single
Cost at launch $1,399 $748