Nikon 1 J4 or Sony A5000?

[gus6464]

I currently have a Nikon 1 V1 with 2 lenses and the SB-N5 speedlight but it is quite bulky so we want to get something more compact but with similar features. The current sale of the J4 and A5000 has got me looking at those two. Of course the pro's of the A5000 is the large APS-C sensor but everything else seems to favor the Nikon J4. They both have built-in flashes which is mainly what we looking for and the Nikon is stupid fast with the 18.5 f/1.8 which the Sony just can't touch. Also looked at the Sony RX100 II but the speed is not there. Anything else I should be looking at?

 

[CuriousMike]

If size is your primary concern, you can do some visualizations at camerasize.com, such as
http://camerasize.com/compare/#508,549

You're giving up your viewfinder going from the V1 to either of your cameras you've listed - I presume you're OK with that.

 

[gus6464]

If size is your primary concern, you can do some visualizations at camerasize.com, such as
http://camerasize.com/compare/#508,549

You're giving up your viewfinder going from the V1 to either of your cameras you've listed - I presume you're OK with that.

Yeah the V1's viewfinder is nice but the camera is super bulky with the speedlight attached. I don't care to lose the vf for built-in flash and more compact size.

The main function of the camera will be to take a million baby pictures of my daughter who will be born in one month. Whatever camera I get will probably have a prime lens in it full time. Nikon's hybrid AF is just too good. Another camera I just found is the Fuji X-M1 which I can get for $400 and then the Canon adapter with the 50 f/1.8 II for <$200. Will lose AF going that route but the IQ should be better.

 

[CuriousMike]

Will lose AF going that route but the IQ should be better.

Maybe look at the Canon EOS M ? Comes with the 22mm pancake for ~ $300.

For the FUJI's, I'd want the x-trans sensor or bust.

Million photos of baby = indoor. no light. little to no flash. you want great low-light and some shallow depth of field.

The A5000 and their 35 f/1.8 should be a consideration - Sony's primes are expensive compared to their Canikon counterparts.

Honestly, as soon as you put any lens on the A5000/Fuji/mirrorless, they get sorta bulky.

The EOS M has a reputation for slow AF, but you won't care and the pancake 22mm is starting to sound like a better idea...

 

[gus6464]

I think I decided on the new A5100 and the Sigma 60mm f/2.8. I can get both for $600 right now. I don't get an EVF but I don't think I'll miss it.

 

[CuriousMike]

I think the A5100 will be a great camera.
But you originally stated you cared about bulk ? The Sigma 19 is attached; it's even smaller than the 60. You will have bulk.

 

[gus6464]

I think the A5100 will be a great camera.
But you originally stated you cared about bulk ? The Sigma 19 is attached; it's even smaller than the 60. You will have bulk.

Hmm yeah just realized that. I think the size will be ok as we will no longer need to carry the speedlight. Also the things I gain with the Sony my wife will find useful:

Full tilt screen
Rapid transfer to her phone for sharing via NFC
Much bigger sensor so better PQ

She will love the file transferring the most as she hates putting the pictures on her PC before she can post them online.

 

[CuriousMike]

Rapid transfer to her phone for sharing via NFC

Not sure I'd use the term "rapid" ( and I don't think you get full resolution ), but I agree - having any mechanism to get photos off the camera and onto your phone is a huge selling point.
Also, be sure you'll find the 60mm focal length useful for baby photos. It's pretty zoomy indoors.

 

[gus6464]

Not sure I'd use the term "rapid" ( and I don't think you get full resolution ), but I agree - having any mechanism to get photos off the camera and onto your phone is a huge selling point.
Also, be sure you'll find the 60mm focal length useful for baby photos. It's pretty zoomy indoors.

So I was looking at your recommendations of the EOS M and found out that the EOS M2 came out in Japan last year but was never released in the US. The autofocus was fixed on it and the pricing on ebay to import from Japan is quite amazing. For $550 you get:

EOS M2 body
EF-M 22mm f/2 pancake
EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
EF EOS M adapter
Speedlite 90EX

That is a whole lotta kit for the price.

 

[gus6464]

Went to the Sony store to check out the A5100 tonight and really liked it. The AF is very fast. Preferred the manual dials of the A6000 but it was outside of budget until sales guy said he could give me a deal on it. They gave me the A6000 body with 3 year accidental warranty for $460 so it was a no-brainer. Now to buy some primes.

 

[tdawg]

Went to the Sony store to check out the A5100 tonight and really liked it. The AF is very fast. Preferred the manual dials of the A6000 but it was outside of budget until sales guy said he could give me a deal on it. They gave me the A6000 body with 3 year accidental warranty for $460 so it was a no-brainer. Now to buy some primes.

That sounds like a great deal. I think you came out well ahead of what options you were looking at; the a6000 is very highly rated. Have fun!