Nikon 1
J1
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

Updated (September, 2011): Compare the Nikon 1 J1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5

80
"High quality video mode"
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's video-quality
"The NEX's image quality is consistent with previous Sonys - generally rather good though not quite as good as the raw sensor data shows it could be."
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
1000 ms startup delay
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Nikon 1 J1

59
Runner-up

Nikon 1 J1

Reasons to buy the Nikon 1 J1

High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
1,200 fps
Continuous shooting
 Rapid fire
60 fps
Badge
 Phase detection video autofocus
fast and accurate
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
94 ms shutter lag
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Badge
 Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate

differences

Advantages of the Nikon J1
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies 1,200 fps vs None
Help
 Capture events too fast for the naked eye and play them back in super-slow motion
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster 60 fps vs 7 fps
Help
 More than 8.5x faster continuous shooting
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
 Catch candid moments easily
Focus points Many more focus points 135 vs 25
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Shutter lag Much less shutter lag 94 ms vs 441 ms
Help
 4.7x less delay when taking photos
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/16000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 4x faster max shutter speed
Size Smaller 106x61x29 mm vs 111x59x38 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Thickness Thinner 1.2" vs 1.5"
Help
 More than 20% thinner
Nikon 1 J1 Learn more about
the Nikon J1

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 796 ISO vs 372 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5 has excellent image quality 1.1 f-stops higher ISO than the J1
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Overall image quality Better image quality 69.0 vs 56.0
Help
 More than 20% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 11 EV
Help
 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs 1" 13.2x8.8mm
Help
 More than 3x larger sensor
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 1000 ms vs 1400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Color depth Better color depth 22.2 bits vs 21.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.7 more bits of color
True resolution Higher true resolution 14 MP vs 10 MP
Help
 Capture around 40% more detail in your photos
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 330 shots vs 230 shots
Help
 More than 40% more shots per battery charge
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
 An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available 8 lenses vs 4 lenses
Help
 2x more lenses available
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon 1 J1 Nikon 1 J1
59 vs 80
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Nikon J1 or the Sony NEX-5,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by Ninad-Dabholkar this month
Nikon J1 vs Sony NEX-5

I am more of a beginner than a pro. Same is the case with my wife. We want something that works ...
2
votes
by Alex-Jenkins last month
Sony DSC-HX9v vs Sony NEX-5

I'm a beginner who's been using an old Nikon D70 for last 7 years - in auto mode only. I want s...
0
votes
by Mark-Ballard last week
Panasonic DMC-GX1 vs Sony NEX-5

Hey everyone. I'm a pretty unexperienced amateur that currently uses a Samsung NX10 normally wit...
0
votes
by Meg-Stevens yesterday
Nikon J1 vs Nikon P510

I'm intermediate.  I take hundreds of pictures but am not well versed in SLR cameras yet
3
votes
by Nicole-Chan last week
Nikon J1 vs Olympus E-PM1

I am a beginner. My husband has a Nikon D7000 but I find it too bulky. Although the picture qual...

6 people recommend the Olympus E-PM1:

"The Nikon 1 J1 has and optional lens adapter that would make you use your husband's lenses since h..."

" The J1 has too small of a sensor for high quality photos in anything but bright daylight. Nikon ..."

" 4/3 lenses are more common. Most optically perfect m39 screw mount lenses can be used perfectly ..."

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
1080p @ 30fps
Size Fairly small Help
J1:106x61x29 mm
NEX-5:111x59x38 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
J1:$546.95
NEX-5:$569.00
Weight Light weight Help
J1:277 g
NEX-5:287 g
Longest exposure Short max exposure time Help
30 seconds
Lens availability Few lenses available Help
J1:4 lenses
NEX-5:8 lenses
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the NEX-5N vs the 1 J1
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 V1

Nikon 1 V1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$797 - $947 with 10-30mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the 1 V1 vs the 1 J1
Compare the 1 V1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Autofocus Users slower contrast detection autofocus
Compare the NEX C3 vs the 1 J1
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Autofocus Users slower contrast detection autofocus
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the 1 J1
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,200 body only

$1,350 - $1,499 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Compare the NEX-7 vs the 1 J1
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3100 vs the 1 J1
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$689 with 18-55mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Storage slots Has more storage slots
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Autofocus Users slower contrast detection autofocus
Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the 1 J1
Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Nikon 1 J1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430
Image stabilization Image stabilization
GPS Has a GPS
High-speed framerate Lower speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much slower
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the 1 J1

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Continuous shooting Shoots slower
Size Larger
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5

appearance

Nikon 1 J1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 J1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 J1 Sony Alpha NEX-5

discussion

Showing 3 comments

Avatar for Antonio Pires Antonio Pires (11:03 AM, December 23, 2011)
Dave, the Sony NEX-5 is better for lightpaintings using its longer exposures (until 30s), and the Nikon 1 just go until 1/3 sec. (0.33 seg.).
 
Avatar for Antonio Pires Antonio Pires (11:03 AM, December 23, 2011)
Dave, the Sony NEX-5 is better for lightpaintings using its longer exposures (until 30s), and the Nikon 1 just go until 1/3 sec. (0.33 seg.).
 
Dave (9:17 PM, November 24, 2011)
Hi, maybe it's a very noob question, but can you do lightpainting or timelapses (tuese type of things) with the nex5 or j1? Thanks.