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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise 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 A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Replacement is Sony A57
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon Z5 versus Sony A55, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and A55 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and A55 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The Z5 was released 10 years later than the A55 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the Z5 matches up vs the A55 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A55

 Z5 A55 
ReleasedJuly 2020August 2010More recent by 121 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Nikon Z5

 A55 Z5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A55

 Z5 A55 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon Z5 offers exterior 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) whilst the Sony A55 has sizing of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") along with a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z5 versus Sony A55 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the Z5 compared to the A55.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z5 and A55 is 62 and 67 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specifications. The graphic underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and A55.

Plainly, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Z5 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Nikon Z5 will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher Z5 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
85
you can focus manually
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
73
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography information
Sony A55 Street photography information
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (675 grams)
77
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography information
Sony A55 Sports photography information
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery (470 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery power (380 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography factors
Sony A55 Travel photography factors
68
good battery (470 CIPA)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
offers touch to focus
good resolution (24MP)
more heavy than competition in class (675 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
62
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (380 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A55 Landscape photography highlights
86
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
good battery (470 CIPA)
two card slots
67
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
terrible battery power (380 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging highlights
Sony A55 Vlogging highlights
34
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition in class (675g)
78
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A55
 Nikon Z5Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z5 Sony SLT-A55
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2020-07-20 2010-08-24
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
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 12800
Max boosted ISO 102400 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 273 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 15 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.5fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ 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 Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
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 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
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675g (1.49 lbs) 500g (1.10 lbs)
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 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 816
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 380 pictures
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)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two Single
Retail cost $1,399 $800