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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
85
Overall
72

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand 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 A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - 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
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • Successor is Sony A68
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the A65 (24MP) is relatively close but the Z5 (Full frame) and A65 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

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The Z5 was introduced 8 years later than the A65 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the Z5 grades vs the A65 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A65

 Z5 A65 
AnnouncedJuly 2020November 2011More recent by 106 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Nikon Z5

 A65 Z5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A65

 Z5 A65 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 provides 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) whilst the Sony A65 has dimensions of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z5 versus the A65.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and A65 is 62 and 64 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and A65.

As you can see, both of the cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The Z5 offers the bigger sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field easier. The more modern Z5 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography features
Sony A65 Portrait photography features
85
focusing manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
78
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography info
Sony A65 Street photography info
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (675g)
77
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z5
Sports photography with Sony A65
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proof
good battery pack (470 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames/s)
82
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography information
Sony A65 Travel photography information
68
good battery pack (470 per charge)
weather proof
has bluetooth
offers focus by touch
decent MP (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competition (675 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
68
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z5
Landscape photography with Sony A65
86
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
good battery pack (470 shots)
2 card slots
75
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging advice
Sony A65 Vlogging advice
34
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition (675g)
78
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A65
 Nikon Z5Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z5 Sony SLT-A65
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2020-07-20 2011-11-15
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
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 area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6016 x 4016 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max boosted ISO 102400 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 273 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 15 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.5 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash options 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200s 1/160s
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, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675g (1.49 lbs) 622g (1.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 717
Other
Battery life 470 shots 560 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two 1
Launch cost $1,399 $700