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Sony NEX-5 vs NEX-6

The Sony Alpha NEX-5 and the Sony Alpha NEX-6 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in May 2010 and September 2012. Both the NEX-5 and the NEX-6 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-6 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-6
Sony NEX-5   Sony NEX-6
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 Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
7 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
330 shots per battery charge360 shots per battery charge
111 x 59 x 38 mm, 287 g 120 x 67 x 43 mm, 345 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-6? 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 Sony NEX-5 and the Sony NEX-6 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 width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The NEX-5 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the NEX-6 is only available in black.

Size Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-6
Compare NEX-5 versus NEX-6 top
Comparison NEX-5 or NEX-6 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-6 is notably larger (23 percent) than the Sony NEX-5. Moreover, the NEX-6 is markedly heavier (20 percent) than the NEX-5. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NEX-5 nor the NEX-6 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 table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
3.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A3000 128 mm 91 mm 85 mm 411 g 470 n Aug 2013 329ebay.com
5.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
7.
 
Sony RX100 II 102 mm 58 mm 38 mm 281 g 350 n Jun 2013 749ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.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 launched at a markedly lower price (by 30 percent) than the NEX-6, which puts it into a different market segment. 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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 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-6 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the NEX-6 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-6 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-6 is much more recent (by 2 years and 4 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-6 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the NEX-6 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-6 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-6 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the NEX-6 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 0.4 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-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
3.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
4.
 
Sony A3000 APS-C 19.8 5456 36321080/60i23.712.8106878
5.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
7.
 
Sony RX100 II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.512.448367
8.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
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. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture 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. For example, the NEX-6 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the NEX-5 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the NEX-5 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the FDA-SV1. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Sony NEX-5 and Sony NEX-6 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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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-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
3.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
4.
 
Sony A3000202 n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
5.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
6.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
7.
 
Sony RX100 IIoptional n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n 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 difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The NEX-6 has one, while the NEX-5 does not. While the built-in flash of the NEX-6 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The NEX-5 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the NEX-6 does not have a selfie-screen.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the NEX-5 and the NEX-6 write their files to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The NEX-6 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the NEX-5 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD 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-6 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-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
4.
 
Sony A3000Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
6.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
7.
 
Sony RX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
8.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / 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-6 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-6 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-5 was replaced by the Sony NEX-5N, while the NEX-6 was followed by the Sony A6000. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-5 and NEX-6 can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-5 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-6 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Sony NEX-5 better than the Sony NEX-6 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


Advantages of the Sony Alpha NEX-5:

  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • More compact: Is smaller (111x59mm vs 120x67mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 58g or 17 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (30 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in May 2010).


Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha NEX-6:

  • 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).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 4 months of technical progress since the NEX-5 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the NEX-6 is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 5 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

NEX-5 05:11 NEX-6

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-5 and the Sony NEX-6 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 specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the NEX-5 and the NEX-6 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. 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-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
3.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
4.
 
Sony A30003/5+....4/54/5 Aug 2013 329ebay.com
5.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
7.
 
Sony RX100 II5/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2013 749ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.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 ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date 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 would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As 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: Sony NEX-5 vs Sony NEX-6

    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-6
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date May 2010 September 2012
    Launch Price USD 699 USD 999
    Sensor Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-6
    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 1018
    Screen Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-6
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.73x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 920k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-6
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 7 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in 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 UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Sony NEX-5 Sony NEX-6
    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-6
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge360 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    120 x 67 x 43 mm
    (4.7 x 2.6 x 1.7 in)
    Camera Weight 287 g (10.1 oz) 345 g (12.2 oz)
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