• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A6000 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    24.1 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,347 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    47 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Sony A6000

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $648
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 45 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 468g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 11.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 11.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Review Excerpt

  • Amazing image quality for the price; Blazing-fast hybrid autofocus; Swift burst shooting with generous buffer depths; Good battery life with LCD monitor; More compact than a DSLR; In-camera Wi-Fi wireless networking

  • Continuous autofocus can't match its burst rate; High-ISO JPEGs can look overprocessed; Sluggish startup; No touch-screen display; Wi-Fi can be a bit frustrating to use

  • 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 Samsung NX Mini

Sony A6000
Samsung NX Mini
  • $548
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life
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 A6000
Nikon J4
  • $548
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Sony A6000
Samsung NX3000
  • $548
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Slow-motion videos
Nikon J5
Samsung NX3000
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6000
Sony A6300
  • $548
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
Nikon J5
Sony A6300
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Sony A6000
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $548
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • NFC
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J5
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • NFC
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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