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Nikon J5 vs Nikon J5 Comparison

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Nikon 1 J5

21 MP | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Nikon 1 J5
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Nikon 1 J5

21 MP | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) BSI-CMOS Sensor

Nikon 1 J5
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Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the J5 and the J5, two Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by Nikon. Nikon 1 J5 was introduced to the market in April 2015 and Nikon 1 J5 was launched in April 2015. Both J5 and J5 were launched within the same month so we are expecting this to be a fair comparison regarding age and available technology level.

J5 and J5 are members of Nikon's J series of cameras. Below you can find the latest models from this series.

Nikon J Series History
Model Release Date Sensor Dimensions Weight
Nikon 1 J5
2015 21.0MP - 1' 98 x 60 x 32mm 231g
Nikon 1 J4
  
2014 18.0MP - 1' 100 x 60 x 29mm 232g
Nikon 1 J3
  
2013 14.0MP - 1-inch 101 x 61 x 29mm 201g
Nikon 1 J2
  
2012 10.0MP - 1-inch 106 x 61 x 30mm 238g
Nikon 1 J1
  
2012 10.0MP - 1-inch 106 x 61 x 30mm 234g

Here is a brief look at the main features of the Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon 1 J5 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-04-03
  • 21MP - 1' BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • 20.0fps continuous shooting
  • 4K (UHD) - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 1200fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 231g. 98 x 60 x 32 mm
  • Replaced Nikon 1 J4 Compare

Nikon 1 J5 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2015-04-03
  • 21MP - 1' BSI-CMOS Sensor
  • No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • 20.0fps continuous shooting
  • 4K (UHD) - 1920 x 1080 video resolution
  • 1200fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • 231g. 98 x 60 x 32 mm
  • Replaced Nikon 1 J4 Compare

Let's read on in the following sections in order to better understand in detail how the Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.


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**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose Nikon 1 J5 over Nikon 1 J5
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Reasons to choose Nikon 1 J5 over Nikon 1 J5
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Common Strengths of Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5
Wireless Connection
Yes vs Yes Better connectivity
Adjustable LCD Screen
Tilting vs Tilting Flexible shooting positions
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
Touch Screen
Yes vs Yes Easy control of camera functions
RAW Support
Yes vs Yes Better image quality
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes very handy for portraits
Max Resolution
21 MP vs 21 MP Bigger prints and more details
LCD Screen Resolution
1.037k dots vs 1.037k dots High resolution screens
Max Continuous Shooting
20.0fps vs 20.0fps Fast shooting speeds
Timelapse Recording
Yes vs Yes creative shooting
Selfie/Vlogger Friendly LCD
Yes vs Yes Rotate LCD for taking Selfies
NFC Connection
Yes vs Yes Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Smartphone Remote
Yes vs Yes Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Common Weaknesses of Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5
In-body Image Stabilization
No vs No No Built-in stabilization
External Flash Shoe
No vs No Not suitable for flash photography
Viewfinder
None vs None No eye-level shooting option
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
AE Bracketing
No vs No Not good for multi-exposure HDR
Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5: Physical Specs and Body Features Comparison

Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, we are going to illustrate the Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Nikon 1 J5 has external dimensions of 98 x 60 x 32 mm (3.86 x 2.36 x 1.26″) and weighs 231 g (0.51 lb / 8.15 oz) (including batteries). Nikon 1 J5 has external dimensions of 98 x 60 x 32 mm (3.86 x 2.36 x 1.26″) and weighs 231 g (0.51 lb / 8.15 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Nikon 1 J5 and the Nikon 1 J5. In this case, we can see that Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 have the exact same height, width and thickness.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5 Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of the Nikon 1 J5 and the Nikon 1 J5 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Here is the back view size comparison of the Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5 Camera Size Comparison - Back View
Comparison image of the Nikon 1 J5 and the Nikon 1 J5 Size and Weight - Back View

Now lets look at the top view comparison of Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5.
Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5 Camera Size Comparison - Top View
Top View Comparison image of the Nikon 1 J5 and the the Nikon 1 J5 Size

Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 have exactly the same weight of 231g.

Also keep in mind that body weight is not the only deciding factor when comparing two interchangeable camera bodies, you also have to take into account the lenses that you will be using with these bodies. Since both Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 have the same Nikon 1 lens mount and 1 inch Sensor sized sensors, lenses will not be a differentiator on total size of the system.

Weight Comparison

Mirrorless Cameras

J5
J5
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Mirrorless Cameras

J5
J5
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither the Nikon 1 J5 nor Nikon 1 J5 provides any type of weather sealing in their bodies, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Mirrorless Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5's LCD screens have the same diagonal size of 3.00 inches.

Both cameras feature Tilting screens where you can change the angle of the screen to make it easier to shoot from waist or over-the-head levels.


Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5: Sensor Comparison

Both Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 have 1' sized 21.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.

Another similarity between these two cameras is that both Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 sensors lack anti-alias (Low-Pass) filters. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.

Below you can see the J5 and J5 sensor size comparison.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5 Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 Cameras


Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.

DxOMark Sensor Scores
At Camera Decision, we also look at Dxo Mark sensors when available as we think it is a good indicator of image quality.
Model Overall Color Depth Dynamic Range Low-light ISO
Nikon 1 J5 65 22.1 bits 12.0 Evs 479 ISO
Nikon 1 J5 65 22.1 bits 12.0 Evs 479 ISO
Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5 Comparison of Available Lenses
Which camera has more lenses?

The number of available lenses is a big deciding factor when choosing your interchangeable lens camera. Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 have the same Nikon 1 lens mount and currently there are 13 native lenses available for these cameras.

Another important factor is the availability of image stabilization. None of these bodies have sensor based image stabilization so you have to buy lenses with Optical stabilization feature. Currently there are 7 lenses with Image stabilization for Nikon 1 mount.

Lens Type # of Nikon 1 J5 Lenses # of Nikon 1 J5 Lenses
Standard Zoom 4 4
Standard Prime 2 2
Wideangle Zoom 1 1
Wideangle Prime 2 2
Telephoto Zoom 2 2
Telephoto Prime n/a n/a
SuperZoom 2 2
Wideangle Fisheye Prime n/a n/a
Macro Prime n/a n/a
Perspective Control Prime n/a n/a
Telephoto Mirror Prime n/a n/a
TOTAL 13 13

Here are some of the most popular Nikon 1 Mount Lenses on Camera Decision:

Popular Nikon 1 Mount Lenses for the J5 and the J5
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 Lens Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 70-300mm f4.5-5.6
1" 560gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm f3.8-5.6 Lens Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm f3.8-5.6
1" 180gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 Lens Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f3.5-5.6
1" 115gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 1 Nikkor 32mm f1.2 Lens Nikon 1 Nikkor 32mm f1.2
1" 235gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 1 Nikkor 10mm f2.8 Lens Nikon 1 Nikkor 10mm f2.8
1" 77gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 6.7-13mm f3.5-5.6 Lens Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 6.7-13mm f3.5-5.6
1" 125gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f4.5-5.6 Lens Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f4.5-5.6
1" 298gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon 1 Nikkor 18.5mm f1.8 Lens Nikon 1 Nikkor 18.5mm f1.8
1" 70gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
What types of Photography are Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Nikon 1 J5 for Portrait Photography

POOR

Nikon 1 J5 for Portrait Photography

POOR
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 21.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
No Image Stabilization
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Very High Resolution Sensor: 21.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
No Image Stabilization
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Nikon 1 J5 for Street Photography

AVERAGE

Nikon 1 J5 for Street Photography

AVERAGE
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Medium sized Body
No Image Stabilization
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Tilting LCD Screen
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Medium sized Body
No Image Stabilization
No Built-in Viewfinder
Read the details

Nikon 1 J5 for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Nikon 1 J5 for Sports Photography

AVERAGE
Fast Continuous Shooting: 20.0fps
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
171 Focus Points
Wireless Connection
Average Ergonomics&Handling
No Image Stabilization
No Built-in Viewfinder
Environmental Sealings
Poor Battery Life: 250 shots
Read the details
Fast Continuous Shooting: 20.0fps
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
171 Focus Points
Wireless Connection
Average Ergonomics&Handling
No Image Stabilization
No Built-in Viewfinder
Environmental Sealings
Poor Battery Life: 250 shots
Read the details

Nikon 1 J5 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Nikon 1 J5 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE
231g
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Medium size Body
Read the details
231g
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
Medium size Body
Read the details

Nikon 1 J5 for Landscape Photography

POOR

Nikon 1 J5 for Landscape Photography

POOR
Very High Resolution Sensor: 21.0MP
Live-view
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Very High Resolution Sensor: 21.0MP
Live-view
Average sized 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details

Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far, but in case you wonder how we rated Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 69 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon 1 J5 scores compare:

Nikon 1 J5
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #50 out of 135 in Rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked #285 out of 1260 in all Cameras
Nikon 1 J5
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #50 out of 135 in Rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked #285 out of 1260 in all Cameras

Nikon 1 J5
Nikon 1 J5
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Nikon 1 J5
Nikon 1 J5
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Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon 1 J5 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Nikon 1 J5 Nikon 1 J5
Brand Nikon Nikon
Announced 2015-04-03 2015-04-03
Body Type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor
Type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Size 1' 1'
Dimensions 13.2 x 8.8 mm 13.2 x 8.8 mm
Area 116.16mm2 116.16mm2
Megapixels 21 megapixels 21 megapixels
Max Resolution 5568 x 3712 5568 x 3712
Max Native Light sensitivity 12,800 ISO 12,800 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 160 ISO 160 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 171 171
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount Nikon 1 Nikon 1
Number of Available Lenses 13 13
Screen
Type Tilting Tilting
Size 3.00" 3.00"
Resolution 1,037k dots 1,037k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder None None
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/4000s 1/4000s
Max Electronic Shutter 1/16000s 1/16000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Built-in Image Stabilization No No
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 5.00 m (ISO 100) 5.00 m (ISO 100)
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 20.0 fps 20.0 fps
Multi-Segment Metering
Average Metering
Spot Metering
Partial Metering
AF-Area Metering
Center Weighted Metering
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080
Video Formats MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Built-In Built-In
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 231g 231g
Dimensions 98 x 60 x 32mm 98 x 60 x 32mm
Battery Life 250 shots 250 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
DxO Overall Score 65 65
DxO Color Depth 22.1 22.1
DxO Dynamic Range 12.0 12.0
DxO Low Light ISO 479 479
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