• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Nikon V1

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Better color depth
    23.6 vs 21.3 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,079 vs 346 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.7 vs 10.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon V1 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    34 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Review Excerpt

  • Fast autofocus and prefocused shutter lag; Quieter shutter sound; Captures 10 frames per second; Supports AVCHD 2.0.

  • Limited first-party lens selection; Slow and confusing on-screen user interface; top-mounted, proprietary accessories are quite pricey.

  • Good image quality; Good quality lens; Full HD videos; Lightning fast AF; Fun to use.

  • Mode dial turns easily; Missing "modern" features like panorama, HDR; Somewhat heavy; Sluggish shot-to-shot cycle times; Proprietary external flash.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon V1
Sony NEX-3
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon V1
Sony NEX-C3
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J1

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon J1
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon V1
Nikon J1
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Nikon V1
Sony NEX-5R
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon V2

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon V2
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon V1
Nikon V2
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • On-sensor phase detect
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