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How many Megapixels does the Sony NEX-5N have?

The Sony Alpha NEX-5N is equipped with a an APS-C sensor that offers an image resolution of 16 megapixels (MP), or 16 million pixels. With its native aspect ratio of 3:2, the sensor has 4 912 horizontal pixels and 3 264 vertical pixels.

A 35mm film slide or negative contains 5-15 MP of useful detail, so that the Sony NEX-5N can be considered to be a high-resolution camera that outresolves any 35mm film camera.

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A high megapixel count makes it possible to crop any captured image substantially or to make very large prints from the image file. On the downside, large megapixel files are slower to transfer and take up more storage space on the computer harddisk. Also, high-resolution imaging requires sharper, more expensive lenses than low-res picture taking.

How large can I print with 16 MP?

The maximum print size of the Sony NEX-5N for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.4 x 41.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19.6 x 13.1 inches or 49.9 x 33.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.6 x 27.6 cm. Few people actually print their images that large on a regular basis, but it is nice to have the option to make very large prints of exceptional shots. Also, as mentioned earlier, a key advantage of high-MP cameras is that it is possible to crop an image ex-post and thereby, for example, change the composition of the capture or zoom in on some detail.

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Sensor specs and performance

The table below compares the sensor specs of the Sony NEX-5N to those of several similar cameras. In addition to sensor class and megapixel count, DXO values are reported as indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better). Three aspects are covered: color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape), and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
2.
 
Canon M APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.282765
3.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
4.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
5.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
6.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
7.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
8.
 
Sony RX100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.612.439066
9.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
10.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
11.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
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Further information on the sensor in the Sony NEX-5N and the camera's operation can be found in the camera manual.

In the United States, the NEX-5N was initially launched in August 2011 at a price of $699.

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Camera to camera comparisons

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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    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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