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Nikon Coolpix A vs Sony NEX-5N

The Nikon Coolpix A and the Sony Alpha NEX-5N are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in March 2013 and August 2011. The Coolpix A is a fixed lens compact, while the NEX-5N is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 16 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon Coolpix A
versus
Sony NEX-5N
Nikon Coolpix A   Sony NEX-5N
Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
28mm f/2.8 Sony E mount lenses
16.1 MP – APS-C sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 25,600) ISO 100-25,600
Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting touchscreen
4 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
230 shots per battery charge460 shots per battery charge
111 x 64 x 40 mm, 299 g 111 x 59 x 38 mm, 269 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon Coolpix A and the Sony Alpha NEX-5N? 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon Coolpix A and the Sony NEX-5N 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 size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver).

Size Nikon Coolpix A vs Sony NEX-5N
Compare Coolpix A versus NEX-5N top
Comparison Coolpix A or NEX-5N rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-5N is notably smaller (8 percent) than the Nikon Coolpix A. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the Coolpix A nor the NEX-5N are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the Coolpix A has a lens built in, whereas the NEX-5N is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the NEX-5N and their specifications in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the Coolpix A gets 230 shots out of its EN-EL20 battery, while the NEX-5N can take 460 images on a single charge of its NP-FW50 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon Coolpix A 111 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 230 n Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X100T 127 mm 74 mm 52 mm 440 g 330 n Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X100S 127 mm 74 mm 54 mm 445 g 330 n Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Oct 2013 999ebay.com
6.
 
Leica X Vario 133 mm 73 mm 95 mm 680 g 450 n Jun 2013 2,850ebay.com
7.
 
Ricoh GR II 117 mm 63 mm 35 mm 251 g 320 n Jun 2015 699ebay.com
8.
 
Ricoh GR 117 mm 61 mm 35 mm 245 g 290 n Apr 2013 799ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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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. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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 size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the NEX-5N is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon Coolpix A and Sony NEX-5N sensor measures

With 16.1MP, the Coolpix A offers a slightly higher resolution than the NEX-5N (16MP), but the Coolpix A nevertheless has the same individual pixel size (pixel pitch of 4.78μm) as the NEX-5N due to its larger sensor. It is noteworthy in this context that the Coolpix A is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 6 months) than the NEX-5N, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the Coolpix A has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Nikon Coolpix A has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-5N are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Coolpix A versus NEX-5N MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon Coolpix A APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.413.8116480
2.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
3.
 
Fujifilm X100T APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.612.8148378
4.
 
Fujifilm X100S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.312.5132975
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.412.6140077
6.
 
Leica X Vario APS-C 16.1 4928 32721080/30p23.412.7132078
7.
 
Ricoh GR II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.7107880
8.
 
Ricoh GR APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.597278
9.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
10.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
11.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
12.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
13.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
14.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
15.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the NEX-5N provides a faster frame rate than the Coolpix A. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60i, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The Coolpix A and the NEX-5N are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. However, optional viewfinders – the DF-CP1 for the Coolpix A and the FDA-EV1S for the NEX-5N – are available as accessories. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon Coolpix A and Sony NEX-5N along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image 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 Coolpix Aoptional n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/2000s 4.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
3.
 
Fujifilm X100T2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X100S2360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E22360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
6.
 
Leica X Variooptional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
7.
 
Ricoh GR IIoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
8.
 
Ricoh GRoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
9.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
10.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
11.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
12.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
13.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
14.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
15.
 
Sony NEX-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The Coolpix A has one, while the NEX-5N does not. While the built-in flash of the Coolpix A is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The NEX-5N has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the Coolpix A does not have a selfie-screen.

The Nikon Coolpix A has 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 Coolpix A writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the NEX-5N uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards.

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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 Coolpix A and Sony Alpha NEX-5N and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon Coolpix AYstereo / mono---2.0---
2.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Fujifilm X100TYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
4.
 
Fujifilm X100SYstereo / mono--micro2.0---
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Leica X VarioYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Ricoh GR IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
8.
 
Ricoh GRYmono / mono--micro2.0---
9.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
10.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
11.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
12.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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Both the Coolpix A and the NEX-5N have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-5N was replaced by the Sony NEX-5R, while the Coolpix A does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the Coolpix A and NEX-5N can be found, respectively, in the Nikon Coolpix A Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-5N Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Nikon Coolpix A better than the Sony NEX-5N or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon Coolpix A:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1.1 EV of extra DR).
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the NEX-5N requires a separate lens.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 6 months after the NEX-5N).

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Advantages of the Sony Alpha NEX-5N:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60i versus 1080/30p).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 4 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (460 versus 230) out of a single battery charge.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in August 2011).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the NEX-5N is the clear winner of the contest (10 : 6 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 wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

Coolpix A 06:10 NEX-5N

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon Coolpix A and the Sony NEX-5N place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings 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 partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the Coolpix A or the NEX-5N. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon Coolpix A4/5+..75/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X100T5/5+..81/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X100S5/5+ +..81/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E24/5....80/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 999ebay.com
6.
 
Leica X Vario3/5......4/54/5 Jun 2013 2,850ebay.com
7.
 
Ricoh GR II........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 699ebay.com
8.
 
Ricoh GR5/5....79/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 799ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
13.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
14.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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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.

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    Specifications: Nikon Coolpix A vs Sony NEX-5N

    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 Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon Coolpix A Sony NEX-5N
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens 28mm f/2.8 Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date March 2013 August 2011
    Launch Price USD 1,099 USD 699
    Sensor Specs Nikon Coolpix A Sony NEX-5N
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.6 mm 23.4 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 368.16 mm2 365.04 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm 28.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.78 μm 4.78 μm
    Pixel Density 4.37 MP/cm2 4.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO no Enhancement
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 80 77
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.4 23.6
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.8 12.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1164 1079
    Screen Specs Nikon Coolpix A Sony NEX-5N
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon Coolpix A Sony NEX-5N
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 4 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Nikon Coolpix A Sony NEX-5N
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Nikon Coolpix A Sony NEX-5N
    Battery Type EN-EL20 NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)230 shots per charge460 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 64 x 40 mm
    (4.4 x 2.5 x 1.6 in)
    111 x 59 x 38 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 299 g (10.5 oz) 269 g (9.5 oz)
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    Check NEX-5N offers at
    ebay.com

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