• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A65 advantages over Nikon J5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.95 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.4 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    717 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 510 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
  • 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Sony A65

  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~2.00 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • 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 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 846g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

Buy the Sony A65

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 Nikon D3200

Sony A65
Nikon D3200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon J5
Nikon D3200
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65
Nikon D5200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon J5
Nikon D5200
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A65
Sony A58
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon J5
Sony A58
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Sony A65
Samsung NX Mini
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $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 A65
Nikon J4
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
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