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Sony NEX-5 vs NEX-5R

The Sony Alpha NEX-5 and the Sony Alpha NEX-5R are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in May 2010 and August 2012. Both the NEX-5 and the NEX-5R are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The NEX-5 has a resolution of 14 megapixels, whereas the NEX-5R provides 16 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Sony NEX-5
versus
Sony NEX-5R
Sony NEX-5   Sony NEX-5R
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
14 MP – APS-C sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 200-12,800 ISO 100-25,600
Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Tilting touchscreen
7 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
330 shots per battery charge330 shots per battery charge
111 x 59 x 38 mm, 287 g 111 x 59 x 39 mm, 276 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha NEX-5 and the Sony Alpha NEX-5R? 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

The physical size and weight of the Sony NEX-5 and the Sony NEX-5R are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

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

Size Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-5R
Compare NEX-5 versus NEX-5R top
Comparison NEX-5 or NEX-5R rear

In this particular case, the Sony NEX-5 and the Sony NEX-5R have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. However, the NEX-5R is slightly lighter (4 percent) than the NEX-5. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NEX-5 nor the NEX-5R are weather-sealed.

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. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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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.
 
Sony NEX-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
3.
 
Ricoh GR II 117 mm 63 mm 35 mm 251 g 320 n Jun 2015 699ebay.com
4.
 
Ricoh GR 117 mm 61 mm 35 mm 245 g 290 n Apr 2013 799ebay.com
5.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.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 naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The NEX-5 was somewhat cheaper (by 7 percent) than the NEX-5R at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. 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 size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Sony NEX-5 and Sony NEX-5R sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the NEX-5R offers a higher resolution of 16 megapixels, compared with 14 MP of the NEX-5. This megapixels advantage translates into a 7 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the NEX-5R has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.78μm versus 5.11μm for the NEX-5). However, it should be noted that the NEX-5R is much more recent (by 2 years and 3 months) than the NEX-5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that compensate for the smaller pixel size.

The resolution advantage of the Sony NEX-5R implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the NEX-5R 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. The corresponding values for the Sony NEX-5 are 23 x 15.3 inches or 58.3 x 38.8 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.2 inches or 46.7 x 31 cm for very good quality, and 15.3 x 10.2 inches or 38.9 x 25.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Sony Alpha NEX-5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-5R 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.

NEX-5 versus NEX-5R MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the NEX-5R has a markedly higher DXO score than the NEX-5 (overall score 9 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 1.5 bits higher color depth, 0.9 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. 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.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
2.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
3.
 
Ricoh GR II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.7107880
4.
 
Ricoh GR APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.597278
5.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
6.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
7.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
8.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
9.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
10.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
11.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
12.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60i).

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The NEX-5 and the NEX-5R 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 FDA-SV1 for the NEX-5 and the FDA-EV1S for the NEX-5R – are available as accessories. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony NEX-5 and Sony NEX-5R 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.
 
Sony NEX-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
2.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
3.
 
Ricoh GR IIoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
4.
 
Ricoh GRoptional n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
5.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
6.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
7.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
8.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
9.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
10.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
11.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
12.
 
Sony NEX-3optional 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 differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The NEX-5R has a touchscreen, while the NEX-5 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the NEX-5 and the NEX-5R write their files to 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 Sony Alpha NEX-5 and Sony Alpha NEX-5R 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.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Ricoh GR IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Ricoh GRYmono / mono--micro2.0---
5.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
7.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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It is notable that the NEX-5R offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the NEX-5 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the NEX-5 and the NEX-5R have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-5 was replaced by the Sony NEX-5N, while the NEX-5R was followed by the Sony NEX-5T. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-5 and NEX-5R can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-5 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-5R Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Sony NEX-5 or the Sony NEX-5R – 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 Sony Alpha NEX-5:

  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in May 2010).


Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha NEX-5R:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (16 vs 14MP), which boosts linear resolution by 7%.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (9 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.5 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (0.9 EV of extra DR).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 3 months of technical progress since the NEX-5 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the NEX-5R is the clear winner of the contest (8 : 1 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. 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.

NEX-5 01:08 NEX-5R

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-5 and the Sony NEX-5R 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 the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the NEX-5 or the NEX-5R 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.

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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.
 
Sony NEX-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
3.
 
Ricoh GR II........4.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 699ebay.com
4.
 
Ricoh GR5/5....79/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 799ebay.com
5.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
9.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
11.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
12.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. 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.

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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: Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-5R

    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 Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-5R
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date May 2010 August 2012
    Launch Price USD 699 USD 749
    Sensor Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-5R
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.4 x 15.6 mm 23.4 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 365.04 mm2 365.04 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.1 mm 28.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.11 μm 4.78 μm
    Pixel Density 3.84 MP/cm2 4.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 69 78
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.2 23.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.2 13.1
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 796 910
    Screen Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-5R
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-5R
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-5R
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-5R
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge330 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    111 x 59 x 39 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 287 g (10.1 oz) 276 g (9.7 oz)
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