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Sony NEX-5N PDF User Manual

Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Sony Alpha NEX-5N? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Sony makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the NEX-5N offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.

That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.

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In any case, the NEX-5N is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This mirrorless interchangeable lens camera was revealed to the public on August 24th, 2011, which means that, as of today, the camera is 4600 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Sony NEX-5R as a replacement in the same line of cameras.

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Sony's handbook for the NEX-5N

The camera's handbook is 200 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the NEX-5N is included towards the bottom of this webpage.

Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!

Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Sony Alpha NEX-5N manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.

Download the Manual

If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Sony's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.

Printed, hardcopy versions of the Sony NEX-5N manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.

amazon.com ebay.com

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Sony NEX-5N FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the NEX-5N.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Sony NEX-5N?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Sony NEX-5N to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Sony equipped the NEX-5N with the BIONZ image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Sony NEX-5N?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600.

Can the Sony NEX-5N be equipped with an optional viewfinder?

Yes, Sony provides the FDA-EV1S as an accessory (here on amazon) that can be mounted on the hotshoe.

Does the Sony NEX-5N have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the NEX-5N is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Sony Alpha NEX-5N?

Sony does not publish a shutter rating for the NEX-5N. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Sony NEX-5N?

Sony embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your NEX-5N has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

Does the Sony NEX-5N feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Sony NEX-5N for flash photography?

The NEX-5N's flash sync speed is 1/160 sec.

Which battery does the Sony NEX-5N use?

The camera gets its power from the Sony NP-FW50 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

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Further reading

How does the NEX-5N stack up against available alternatives? In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Core camera specifications

    Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Sony Alpha NEX-5N.

    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Sony NEX-5N
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2011
    Launch Price USD 699
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.4 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 365 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 912 x 3 264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.78 μm
    Pixel Density 4.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 77
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.6
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1079
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)460 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 269 g (9.5 oz)

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