Nikon 1 J5 vs Z8
The Nikon 1 J5 and the Nikon Z8 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in April 2015 and May 2023. Both the J5 and the Z8 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on an one-inch (J5) and a full frame (Z8) sensor. The J5 has a resolution of 20.7 megapixels, whereas the Z8 provides 45.4 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon 1 J5 and the Nikon Z8? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon 1 J5 and the Nikon Z8 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The J5 can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, white), while the Z8 is only available in black.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Z8 is considerably larger (191 percent) than the Nikon 1 J5. Moreover, the Z8 is substantially heavier (294 percent) than the J5. It is noteworthy in this context that the Z8 is splash and dust-proof, while the J5 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.
The power pack in the Z8 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon 1 J5 | 98 mm | 60 mm | 32 mm | 231 g | 250 | n | Apr 2015 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Nikon Z8 | 144 mm | 119 mm | 83 mm | 910 g | 340 | Y | May 2023 | US$ 3 999 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Canon G7 X | 103 mm | 60 mm | 40 mm | 304 g | 210 | n | Sep 2014 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon G9 X | 98 mm | 58 mm | 31 mm | 209 g | 220 | n | Oct 2015 | US$ 529 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Canon G9 X Mark II | 98 mm | 58 mm | 31 mm | 206 g | 235 | n | Jan 2017 | US$ 529 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Canon R5 Mark II | 138 mm | 98 mm | 88 mm | 746 g | 340 | Y | Jul 2024 | US$ 4 299 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Nikon 1 J4 | 100 mm | 60 mm | 29 mm | 232 g | 300 | n | Apr 2014 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Nikon 1 V3 | 111 mm | 65 mm | 33 mm | 381 g | 310 | n | Mar 2014 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D850 | 146 mm | 124 mm | 79 mm | 1005 g | 1840 | Y | Jul 2017 | US$ 3 299 | amazon.com | |
| 10. | Nikon Z6 | 134 mm | 101 mm | 67 mm | 675 g | 310 | Y | Aug 2018 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon Z7 | 134 mm | 101 mm | 67 mm | 675 g | 330 | Y | Aug 2018 | US$ 3 399 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Panasonic FZ1000 | 137 mm | 99 mm | 131 mm | 831 g | 360 | n | Jun 2014 | US$ 899 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1R | 149 mm | 110 mm | 97 mm | 1016 g | 380 | Y | Feb 2019 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Sony A5000 | 110 mm | 63 mm | 36 mm | 269 g | 420 | n | Jan 2014 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Sony RX100 III | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 290 g | 320 | n | May 2014 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 IV | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 298 g | 280 | n | Jun 2015 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 V | 102 mm | 58 mm | 41 mm | 299 g | 220 | n | Oct 2016 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The J5 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 90 percent) than the Z8, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon 1 J5 features an one-inch sensor and the Nikon Z8 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the Z8 is 640 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.7 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
Technology-wise, the Z8 uses a more advanced image processing engine (EXPEED 7) than the J5 (EXPEED 5), with benefits for noise reduction, color accuracy, and processing speed.

With 45.4MP, the Z8 offers a higher resolution than the J5 (20.7MP), but the Z8 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.35μm versus 2.37μm for the J5) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Z8 is a much more recent model (by 8 years and 1 month) than the J5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Nikon Z8 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Z8 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.3 x 27.5 inches or 104.9 x 69.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33 x 22 inches or 83.9 x 55.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.5 x 18.3 inches or 69.9 x 46.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon 1 J5 are 27.8 x 18.6 inches or 70.7 x 47.1 cm for good quality, 22.3 x 14.8 inches or 56.6 x 37.7 cm for very good quality, and 18.6 x 12.4 inches or 47.1 x 31.4 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Nikon 1 J5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Z8 are ISO 64 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 32-102400.
In terms of underlying technology, the J5 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the Z8 uses a Stacked BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the Z8 offers substantially better image quality than the J5 (overall score 33 points higher). The advantage is based on 5.2 bits higher color depth, 2.2 EV in additional dynamic range, and 2.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon 1 J5 | 1-inch | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/15p | 21.1 | 12.0 | 479 | 65 | |
| 2. | Nikon Z8 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 8K/30p | 26.3 | 14.2 | 2548 | 98 | |
| 3. | Canon G7 X | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 23.0 | 12.7 | 556 | 71 | |
| 4. | Canon G9 X | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 21.5 | 12.3 | 495 | 63 | |
| 5. | Canon G9 X Mark II | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 21.9 | 12.5 | 522 | 65 | |
| 6. | Canon R5 Mark II | Full Frame | 44.8 | 8192 | 5464 | 8k/60p | 25.4 | 14.8 | 3332 | 97 | |
| 7. | Nikon 1 J4 | 1-inch | 18.2 | 5232 | 3488 | 1080/60p | 20.8 | 10.7 | 426 | 53 | |
| 8. | Nikon 1 V3 | 1-inch | 18.2 | 5232 | 3488 | 1080/60p | 20.8 | 10.7 | 384 | 52 | |
| 9. | Nikon D850 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 4K/30p | 26.4 | 14.8 | 2660 | 100 | |
| 10. | Nikon Z6 | Full Frame | 24.3 | 6048 | 4024 | 4K/30p | 25.3 | 14.3 | 3299 | 95 | |
| 11. | Nikon Z7 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 4K/30p | 26.3 | 14.6 | 2668 | 99 | |
| 12. | Panasonic FZ1000 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.1 | 11.7 | 517 | 64 | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1R | Full Frame | 46.7 | 8368 | 5584 | 4K/60p | 26.4 | 14.1 | 3525 | 100 | |
| 14. | Sony A5000 | APS-C | 19.8 | 5456 | 3632 | 1080/60i | 23.8 | 13.0 | 1089 | 79 | |
| 15. | Sony RX100 III | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.4 | 12.3 | 495 | 67 | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 IV | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.6 | 591 | 70 | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 V | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.4 | 586 | 70 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Z8 provides a better video resolution than the J5. It can shoot movie footage at 8K/30p, while the J5 is limited to 4K/15p.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Z8 has an electronic viewfinder (3690k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the J5 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon Z8 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon 1 J5 | none | n | 3.0 / 1037 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 60.0/s | Y | n | |
| 2. | Nikon Z8 | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2089 | full-flex | Y | 1/32000s | 30.0/s | n | Y | |
| 3. | Canon G7 X | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 6.5/s | Y | Y | |
| 4. | Canon G9 X | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 6.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 5. | Canon G9 X Mark II | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 8.2/s | Y | Y | |
| 6. | Canon R5 Mark II | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
| 7. | Nikon 1 J4 | none | n | 3.0 / 1037 | Fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 60.0/s | Y | n | |
| 8. | Nikon 1 V3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 1037 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 60.0/s | Y | n | |
| 9. | Nikon D850 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 2359 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | n | |
| 10. | Nikon Z6 | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
| 11. | Nikon Z7 | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
| 12. | Panasonic FZ1000 | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 921 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 12.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1R | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
| 14. | Sony A5000 | none | n | 3.0 / 461 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 3.5/s | Y | n | |
| 15. | Sony RX100 III | 1440 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 IV | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1228 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 16.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 V | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 24.0/s | Y | Y | |
| Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. | |||||||||||
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The J5 has one, while the Z8 does not. While the built-in flash of the J5 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
The J5 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the Z8 does not have a selfie-screen.The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The Nikon 1 J5 and the Nikon Z8 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The J5 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the Z8 uses CFexpress (type B) or SDXC cards. The Z8 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the J5 only has one slot. The Z8 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the J5 can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon 1 J5 and Nikon Z8 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon 1 J5 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 2. | Nikon Z8 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 3. | Canon G7 X | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 4. | Canon G9 X | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 5. | Canon G9 X Mark II | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 6. | Canon R5 Mark II | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 7. | Nikon 1 J4 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 8. | Nikon 1 V3 | - | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 9. | Nikon D850 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 10. | Nikon Z6 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 11. | Nikon Z7 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 12. | Panasonic FZ1000 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1R | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 14. | Sony A5000 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 15. | Sony RX100 III | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 IV | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 V | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
It is notable that the Z8 has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The J5 lacks such a headphone port.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon Z8 (unlike the J5) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the Z8 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.
The Z8 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the J5 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the J5 from Nikon. Further information on the features and operation of the J5 and Z8 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon 1 J5 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon Z8 Manual.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon 1 J5 or the Nikon Z8 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.
Advantages of the Nikon 1 J5:
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (60 vs 30 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More compact: Is smaller (98x60mm vs 144x119mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
- Less heavy: Is lighter (by 679g or 75 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
- Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
- Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (90 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in April 2015).
Arguments in favor of the Nikon Z8:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (45.4 vs 20.7MP), which boosts linear resolution by 48%.
- Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (33 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
- Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (5.2 bits more color depth).
- More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (2.2 EV of extra DR).
- Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (2.4 stops ISO advantage).
- Better jpgs: Has a more modern image processing engine (EXPEED 7 vs EXPEED 5).
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (8K/30p vs 4K/15p).
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2089k vs 1037k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/32000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (340 versus 250) out of a single battery charge.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
- Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
- Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
- Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
- More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
- More modern: Reflects 8 years and 1 month of technical progress since the J5 launch.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Z8 is the clear winner of the contest (28 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon 1 J5 and the Nikon Z8 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the J5 or the Z8 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.
Expert reviews
This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon 1 J5 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2015 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Nikon Z8 | 5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 94/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2023 | US$ 3 999 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Canon G7 X | 4/5 | + + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2014 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon G9 X | 3.5/5 | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2015 | US$ 529 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Canon G9 X Mark II | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 75/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | US$ 529 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Canon R5 Mark II | .. | .. | .. | 93/100 | .. | .. | Jul 2024 | US$ 4 299 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Nikon 1 J4 | 3/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2014 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Nikon 1 V3 | 3/5 | .. | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2014 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D850 | 4.5/5 | + + | 5/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jul 2017 | US$ 3 299 | amazon.com | |
| 10. | Nikon Z6 | 5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Aug 2018 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon Z7 | 5/5 | + | 4.8/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Aug 2018 | US$ 3 399 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Panasonic FZ1000 | 4/5 | + + | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2014 | US$ 899 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1R | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.6/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2019 | US$ 3 699 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Sony A5000 | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2014 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Sony RX100 III | 5/5 | + + | .. | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | May 2014 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 16. | Sony RX100 IV | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2015 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony RX100 V | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 83/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2016 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||||
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Check J5 offers at
ebay.com

Check Z8 price at
amazon.com
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
Specifications: Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon Z8
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
| Camera Model | Nikon 1 J5 | Nikon Z8 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Mirrorless system camera |
| Camera Lens | Nikon 1 mount lenses | Nikon Z mount lenses |
| Launch Date | April 2015 | May 2023 |
| Launch Price | USD 399 | USD 3,999 |
| Sensor Specs | Nikon 1 J5 | Nikon Z8 |
| Sensor Technology | BSI-CMOS | Stacked BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor Format | 1" Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 13.2 x 8.8 mm | 35.9 x 23.9 mm |
| Sensor Area | 116.16 mm2 | 858.01 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 15.9 mm | 43.1 mm |
| Crop Factor | 2.7x | 1.0x |
| Sensor Resolution | 20.7 Megapixels | 45.4 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 5568 x 3712 pixels | 8256 x 5504 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 2.37 μm | 4.35 μm |
| Pixel Density | 17.79 MP/cm2 | 5.30 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
| Movie Capability | 4K/15p Video | 8K/30p Video |
| ISO Setting | 160 - 12,800 ISO | 64 - 25,600 ISO |
| ISO Boost | no Enhancement | 32 - 102,400 ISO |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 5 | EXPEED 7 |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 65 | 98 |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.1 | 26.3 |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.0 | 14.2 |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | 479 | 2548 |
| Screen Specs | Nikon 1 J5 | Nikon Z8 |
| Viewfinder Type | no viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.80x | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3690k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | Control Panel |
| LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.2inch |
| LCD Resolution | 1037k dots | 2089k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | Fully flexible screen |
| Touch Input | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| Shooting Specs | Nikon 1 J5 | Nikon Z8 |
| Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | On-Sensor Phase-detect |
| Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | Focus Peaking |
| Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/4000s | 1/32000s |
| Continuous Shooting | 60 shutter flaps/s | 30 shutter flaps/s |
| Electronic Shutter | up to 1/16000s | up to 1/32000s |
| Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | Intervalometer built-in |
| Image Stabilization | Lens stabilization only | In-body stabilization |
| Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | no On-Board Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | CFexB or SDXC cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Dual card slots |
| UHS card support | UHS-I | UHS-II |
| Connectivity Specs | Nikon 1 J5 | Nikon Z8 |
| External Flash | no Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| Studio Flash | no PC Sync | PC Sync socket |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 3.2 |
| HDMI Port | micro HDMI | full HDMI |
| Microphone Port | no MIC socket | External MIC port |
| Headphone Socket | no Headphone port | Headphone port |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | Wifi built-in |
| Near-Field Communication | NFC built-in | no NFC |
| Bluetooth Support | no Bluetooth | Bluetooth built-in |
| Geotagging | no internal GPS | GPS built-in |
| Body Specs | Nikon 1 J5 | Nikon Z8 |
| Environmental Sealing | not weather sealed | Weathersealed body |
| Battery Type | Nikon EN-EL24 | Nikon EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 250 shots per charge | 340 shots per charge |
| In-Camera Charging | no USB charging | USB charging |
| Body Dimensions |
98 x 60 x 32 mm (3.9 x 2.4 x 1.3 in) |
144 x 119 x 83 mm (5.7 x 4.7 x 3.3 in) |
| Camera Weight | 231 g (8.1 oz) | 910 g (32.1 oz) |

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