• APS-C 365.0mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony A35 advantages over Nikon J5

  • 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.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.76 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.3 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    763 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Sony A35

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 694g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    20 vs 12 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A55

Sony A35
Sony A55
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in GPS
Nikon J5
Sony A55
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A33

Sony A35
Sony A33
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Nikon J5
Sony A33
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A35
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon J5
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Sony A35
Samsung NX Mini
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J4

Sony A35
Nikon J4
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Compare Other Cameras?