Decision tools · Compare
1 J5 vs A7R
Quick take: The A7R has the highest resolution at 36MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable; only the A7R 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?
A7R — Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History: The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
Who should buy what
A7R (2013)
is the right camera for you if…
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | 1 J5Nikon · 2015 | A7RSony · 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 20.8MP | 36.4MPBest |
| Video | 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60 | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 20fpsBest | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~250 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 265g (with battery)Best | 465g (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
A7R
Portrait
4.3/10
5.8/10
Street
6.7/10
5.7/10
Travel
6.1/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
2.9/10
4.4/10
Filmmaking
3.2/10
—
Documentary
4.1/10
4.9/10
Sports & Action
4.9/10
4.5/10
Landscape
3.9/10
6.3/10
Wildlife
5.1/10
5.4/10
Casual
5.0/10
3.7/10
Food
4.8/10
5.6/10
Macro
3.4/10
5.0/10
Architecture
3.9/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
3.0/10
5.4/10
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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