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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony SLT-A35 front
Portability
69
Imaging
57
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 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
  • Launched July 2020
Sony A35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 415g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced September 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A33
  • Replacement is Sony A37
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Nikon Z5 and Sony A35, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and A35 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and A35 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Z5 was introduced 8 years after the A35 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A35 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the Z5 grades against the A35 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A35

 Z5 A35 
AnnouncedJuly 2020September 2011Newer by 108 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A35 over the Nikon Z5

 A35 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A35

 Z5 A35 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon Z5 has external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Sony A35 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Examine the Nikon Z5 and Sony A35 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the Z5 against the A35.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and A35 is 62 and 69 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by looking at technical specs. The image underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and A35.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Z5 will give you greater detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern Z5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography features
Sony A35 Portrait photography features
85
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography highlights
Sony A35 Street photography highlights
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers touch to focus
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
71
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (415g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography factors
Sony A35 Sports photography factors
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery power (470 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
not so great battery power (440 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography details
Sony A35 Travel photography details
68
good battery power (470 per charge)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
offers touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
lighter than competition in class (415g)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (440 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z5
Landscape photography with Sony A35
86
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
good battery power (470 shots)
has double storage slots
69
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
not so great battery power (440 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging details
Sony A35 Vlogging details
34
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
36
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic socket
lighter than competition in class (415 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A35 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A35
 Nikon Z5Sony SLT-A35
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z5 Sony SLT-A35
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2020-07-20 2011-09-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4016 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max boosted ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 273 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 15 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 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, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 pounds) 415 gr (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 763
Other
Battery life 470 photos 440 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two One
Retail pricing $1,399 $598