Decision tools · Compare
1 J5 vs A7
Quick take: The A7 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable; only the A7 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A7 — Camera History & Full-Frame Introduction: The camera that changed photography — the world's first compact full-frame mirrorless, the A7 launched a product family that redefined what was possible.
Who should buy what
A7 (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- Photographers interested in the camera that launched the full-frame mirrorless era
- Budget-conscious buyers who want to experience full-frame image quality at minimal cost
- Sony FE system users who want the original A7 for sentimental or historical value
- Those adapting vintage lenses who want full-frame with phase-detect AF at low cost
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | 1 J5Nikon · 2015 | A7Sony · 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £151 used |
| Sensor | 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.8MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60 | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking | 117 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 20fpsBest | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 265g (with battery)Best | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | None (rear screen only) | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon 1 | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single microSD slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
1 J5
A7
Portrait
4.3/10
6.6/10
Street
6.7/10
6.2/10
Travel
6.1/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
2.9/10
5.3/10
Filmmaking
3.2/10
—
Documentary
4.1/10
5.6/10
Sports & Action
4.9/10
5.8/10
Landscape
3.9/10
5.8/10
Wildlife
5.1/10
6.5/10
Casual
5.0/10
3.9/10
Food
4.8/10
5.7/10
Macro
3.4/10
5.0/10
Architecture
3.9/10
5.6/10
Astrophotography
3.0/10
5.6/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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More comparisons with 1 J5
Camera family history