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Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II front
Portability
58
Imaging
52
Features
77
Overall
62

Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push 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
  • Released July 2020
Sony RX10 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8) lens
  • 813g - 129 x 88 x 102mm
  • Revealed June 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony RX10
  • Later Model is Sony RX10 III
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the RX10 II (20MP) is relatively close but the Z5 (Full frame) and RX10 II (1") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The Z5 was manufactured 5 years later than the RX10 II and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX10 II being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the Z5 grades versus the RX10 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony RX10 II

 Z5 RX10 II 
RevealedJuly 2020June 2015Fresher by 63 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 II over the Nikon Z5

 RX10 II Z5 
Screen resolution1229k1040kClearer screen (+189k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony RX10 II

 Z5 RX10 II 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 features exterior dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Sony RX10 II has specifications of 129mm x 88mm x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0") accompanied by a weight of 813 grams (1.79 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the Z5 compared to the RX10 II.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and RX10 II is 62 and 58 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and RX10 II.

Clearly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z5 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Nikon Z5 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger Z5 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography information
Sony RX10 II Portrait photography information
85
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
71
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography features
Sony RX10 II Street photography features
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (675 grams)
72
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
weather sealing
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX10 II as a Sports photography camera
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
good battery pack (470 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.5 fps)
68
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
has tracking focus
weather sealing
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z5
Travel photography with Sony RX10 II
68
good battery pack (470 shots)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
resolution is good (24MP)
more heavy than competition (675g)
display isn't selfie friendly
56
weather sealing
MP count decent (20MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography features
Sony RX10 II Landscape photography features
86
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
two card slots
62
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW files
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging factors
Sony RX10 II Vlogging factors
34
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (675 grams)
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony RX10 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony RX10 II
 Nikon Z5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
Type Advanced Mirrorless Large Sensor Superzoom
Released 2020-07-20 2015-06-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4016 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max boosted ISO 102400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 50 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 273 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-200mm (8.3x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.5fps 14.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.20 m
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 gr (1.49 lb) 813 gr (1.79 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 129 x 88 x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life 470 photos 400 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two Single
Pricing at launch $1,399 $998