Nikon Z7 II vs Sony NEX-5R: A Deep Dive Into Two Mirrorless Worlds

Choosing the right camera often comes down to understanding how model specifications translate into real-world shooting experience. When comparing cameras from vastly different eras and market segments - such as the professional-grade Nikon Z7 II and the entry-level Sony NEX-5R - you’re navigating a dialogue between advanced technology and time-tested usability. Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years in photography gear evaluations, I’ll guide you through a thorough comparison that demystifies their key differences, technical strengths, and practical suitability for your creative pursuits.

Let’s start with a side-by-side look at these cameras’ physical presence and controls, then move through sensor technology, autofocus prowess, and photographic disciplines before wrapping with value analysis and recommendations.

Getting a Feel for the Cameras: Size and Handling

The Nikon Z7 II is a substantial, robust mirrorless camera designed for professionals who often shoot in demanding conditions. In contrast, the Sony NEX-5R targets enthusiasts making their first steps into interchangeable lens systems with portability and ease of use as priorities.

Compare the Nikon Z7 II’s full-frame heft to the compact design of the Sony NEX-5R.

• Nikon Z7 II: Weighing 705 grams and measuring approximately 134 x 101 x 70 mm, it offers an SLR-style grip with thoughtful ergonomics. The solid build supports weather sealing, a plus for outdoor pro shoots.
• Sony NEX-5R: At less than 300 grams and 111 x 59 x 39 mm, this rangefinder-style mirrorless is pocketable. Its minimalist controls and light weight favor street photographers and travelers prioritizing discretion.

While the Z7 II’s size contributes to stability and control with heavier lenses, the NEX-5R’s compact form suits spontaneous shooting scenarios and long handheld use without fatigue.

Control Layout and Interface: Intuition vs Simplicity

Both cameras feature a tilting touchscreen LCD with live view, but how they allow you to interact during a shoot differs markedly.

The Z7 II’s extensive top controls contrast with the NEX-5R’s minimalist design.

• Nikon Z7 II: Comes equipped with numerous dials, buttons, and a useful top display panel (3.2”, 2100k dots) for rapid access to settings. Dual card slots and dual processors enhance shooting reliability and speed.
• Sony NEX-5R: Offers fewer physical controls and no built-in electronic viewfinder. The smaller 3” LCD screen with 920k dots tilts up 180° for selfies or vlogging, though no top display button panel exists.

The Nikon’s extensive customization suits photographers requiring on-the-fly changes - wedding or sports shooters for example - while the Sony’s simple layout aids beginners focusing on composition and exposure essentials.

The Nikon’s crisp, high-res rear screen versus Sony’s smaller, lower-res display.

Sensor Technology: The Heart of Image Quality

Image quality centers on sensor architecture and processing power, and here the Nikon Z7 II distinctly outpaces the older Sony NEX-5R.

Full-frame versus APS-C sensor sizes illustrate the impact on image quality and depth of field.

With its massive full-frame sensor, the Z7 II offers superior resolution (8256 x 5504 max), dynamic range, and low-light performance. The lack of an antialias filter on the Nikon improves detail sharpness and fine textures but demands precise lens quality.

The NEX-5R’s APS-C sensor, while respectable for its generation, can’t match Nikon’s dynamic range or pixel count, resulting in comparatively less flexibility in post-processing or large prints.

What this means for you: If you prioritize pixel-level detail for fine art or commercial work, the Nikon is a powerhouse; for casual use, travel, or social media, the Sony’s sensor remains a capable companion.

Autofocus: Precision and Speed for Every Scenario

Autofocus performance is crucial across most photography types - from capturing fleeting wildlife behavior to nailing sharp portraits.

The Nikon Z7 II boasts a highly advanced hybrid autofocus system with 493 phase-detection points covering a broad frame area, with eye and animal eye detection for reliable subject tracking. This level of precision is invaluable for portraiture, wildlife, and fast-moving subjects.

On the other hand, the Sony NEX-5R, released eight years earlier, implements a modest 99-point hybrid AF system without eye-detect tracking. While still competent, it lags behind modern autofocus capabilities.

Experience note: When testing tracking on wildlife and sports, the Z7 II’s continuous AF and eye detection kept subjects crisply focused, even at 10 fps. The NEX-5R delivers decent burst shooting but demands more patience and manual correction.

Build and Durability: Weather Sealing vs Lightweight Design

The Nikon Z7 II embraces professional build quality with weather sealing against dust and moisture, a feature vital for landscape, travel, and outdoor sports photography.

The Sony NEX-5R lacks weatherproofing and is built primarily for indoor and good-weather shooting, reflecting its age and entry-level focus.

For you: If you often shoot outdoors in challenging conditions, invest in the Z7 II. For casual urban or studio work, the NEX-5R’s lightweight portability may suffice.

Battery Life and Storage: Keeping You Shooting

Battery endurance and storage redundancy are often underestimated but crucial in real-world workflows.

• Nikon Z7 II: Approximately 420 shots per charge; uses the EN-EL15c battery supporting USB charging. Dual card slots accept CFexpress, XQD, and SD UHS-II cards for overflow or backup.
• Sony NEX-5R: Around 330 shots per charge; utilizes the smaller NPFW50 battery. A single storage slot supports SD, SDHC, SDXC, and Memory Stick formats.

Dual slots give the Nikon a clear advantage for professional reliability during critical shoots, minimizing risk of data loss.

Lens Ecosystem: Choices and Compatibility

A camera’s lens compatibility can make or break your creative versatility.

• Nikon Z7 II: Uses the Nikon Z mount with 15 native lenses currently available, plus supports a vast legacy of F-mount lenses via adapter.
• Sony NEX-5R: Employs Sony E-mount, enjoying access to one of the largest mirrorless lens lineups - over 120 lenses from Sony and third-party brands.

While the NEX-5R benefits from a broad lens selection friendly to diverse budgets and styles, the Z7 II’s native Z lenses leverage its high-resolution sensor more effectively with new optical designs.

Photography Disciplines in Focus

Different cameras excel in various genres. Here’s how these models stack up based on testing typical shooting scenarios:

Portrait Photography

• Nikon Z7 II: Eye-detection AF and 5-axis stabilization create crisp, beautifully rendered portraits with natural skin tones and pleasing bokeh courtesy of full-frame depth of field. The high resolution captures fine facial details gracefully.
• Sony NEX-5R: Offers respectable portraits but less sophisticated AF and smaller sensor deliver less sharpness and depth separation.

Landscape Photography

• Nikon Z7 II: Exceptional dynamic range and sharpness let you pull detail from shadows and highlights, a boon for HDR and panoramic stitching. Weather sealing adds shooting confidence outdoors.
• Sony NEX-5R: Decent for casual landscapes, but limited resolution and dynamic range require careful exposure. No weather sealing constrains shooting in adverse weather.

Wildlife Photography

• Nikon Z7 II: Fast 10 fps continuous shooting with advanced AF tracking captures fast-moving animals reliably, especially with telephoto Z lenses.
• Sony NEX-5R: Burst mode is available but autofocus speed and tracking limit success on fast wildlife.

Sports Photography

• Nikon Z7 II: Fast shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec, rapid AF, and continuous shooting allow freezing action with precision.
• Sony NEX-5R: Max shutter speed 1/4000 sec and slower AF render it less ideal for sports.

Street Photography

• Nikon Z7 II: Relatively bulky, but silent shutter option aids discretion.
• Sony NEX-5R: Compact, unobtrusive, and excellent for candid street photography.

Macro Photography

• Nikon Z7 II: Allows focus bracketing and stacking for extended depth of field, with stabilization contributing to sharp handheld close-ups.
• Sony NEX-5R: Lacks focus bracketing features and stabilization, making macro work more challenging.

Night and Astrophotography

• Nikon Z7 II: High native ISO and excellent noise control yield cleaner images in dark scenes. Custom exposure modes support star trails and long exposures.
• Sony NEX-5R: Noise becomes more prominent above ISO 1600, limiting low-light performance.

Video Capabilities

• Nikon Z7 II: 4K UHD up to 60p, external mic and headphone ports enable high-quality audio monitoring; in-body stabilization assists smooth footage.
• Sony NEX-5R: Full HD 1080p at 60 fps max; no mic or headphone jacks; lacks stabilization.

Travel Photography

• Nikon Z7 II: Versatile, rugged, but heavier to carry.
• Sony NEX-5R: Lightweight and easy to slip into travel bags; ideal for casual travel.

Professional Workflows

• Nikon Z7 II: Full RAW support, dual card redundancy, tethered shooting compatibility, and high dynamic range files suit commercial studio and field professionals.
• Sony NEX-5R: Limited by sensor resolution and file handling; best for hobbyists rather than professional demands.

Nikon Z7 II front Nikon Z7 II screen back Sony NEX 5R front Sony NEX 5R screen back

Technical Summary at a Glance

Wrapping Up: Which Camera is Right for You?

Choose the Nikon Z7 II if…

• You demand top-tier image quality for commercial, portrait, or landscape photography.
• You work in professional or semi-pro settings requiring weather sealing and reliable dual card slots.
• Video recording with 4K clarity and audio monitoring is important in your projects.
• You want advanced autofocus with eye and animal detection, plus high burst speeds for fast action subjects.
• Budget allows investment in a high-end system with quality lenses and accessories.

The Z7 II is a powerhouse for creators serious about image excellence and shooting versatility, able to handle almost any photographic challenge.

Choose the Sony NEX-5R if…

• You’re a beginner or enthusiast seeking an affordable introduction to interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras.
• Portability and lightweight design are your top priorities for travel and street photography.
• Your shooting environment is generally controlled and good-weather.
• You enjoy learning manual controls but are happy with solid APS-C image quality.
• Your budget is limited and advanced professional features aren’t required.

The NEX-5R remains a reliable entry point with enough flexibility to grow your skills before upgrading to more advanced gear.

Final Thoughts

Both the Nikon Z7 II and Sony NEX-5R have their roles in the photography landscape. The Z7 II showcases the power of modern full-frame mirrorless technology, especially for professionals and serious enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Sony NEX-5R stands as a testament to compact design simplicity, welcoming new photographers to the interchangeable lens world.

I encourage you to consider your shooting style, budget, and aspirations carefully. Wherever you fall, getting hands-on with these cameras - if possible - can help confirm your choice. Add lenses and accessories matched to your vision, and enjoy the creative journey ahead!

Happy shooting! Explore, experiment, and evolve your craft with the camera that feels like an extension of your creative eye.