Sony NEX-5N vs Canon 1100D
The Sony Alpha NEX-5N and the Canon EOS 1100D (labelled Canon T3 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in August 2011 and February 2011. The NEX-5N is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the 1100D is a DSLR. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Sony has a resolution of 16 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 12.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha NEX-5N and the Canon EOS 1100D? 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.
Body comparison
The physical size and weight of the Sony NEX-5N and the Canon 1100D 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.
The NEX-5N can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the 1100D is only available in black.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 1100D is considerably larger (99 percent) than the Sony NEX-5N. Moreover, the 1100D is substantially heavier (84 percent) than the NEX-5N. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NEX-5N nor the 1100D 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. Both cameras have similarly sized sensors, but DSLRs have a larger flange-to-focal plane distance than mirrorless cameras, which imposes contraints on the optical engineering process and generally leads to bigger and heavier lenses. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Sony E-Mount Lens Catalog (NEX-5N) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1100D). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony NEX-5N, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.
Concerning battery life, the NEX-5N gets 460 shots out of its Sony NP-FW50 battery, while the 1100D can take 700 images on a single charge of its Canon LP-E10 power pack.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony NEX-5N | 111 mm | 59 mm | 38 mm | 269 g | 460 | n | Aug 2011 | 699 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon 1100D | 130 mm | 100 mm | 78 mm | 495 g | 700 | n | Feb 2011 | 449 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 600D | 133 mm | 100 mm | 80 mm | 570 g | 440 | n | Feb 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 650D | 133 mm | 100 mm | 79 mm | 575 g | 440 | n | Jun 2012 | 849 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 1000D | 126 mm | 98 mm | 65 mm | 502 g | 500 | n | Jun 2008 | 449 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 1200D | 130 mm | 100 mm | 78 mm | 480 g | 500 | n | Feb 2014 | 449 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon G1 X | 117 mm | 81 mm | 65 mm | 534 g | 250 | n | Jan 2012 | 799 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon M | 109 mm | 66 mm | 32 mm | 298 g | 230 | n | Jul 2012 | 599 | ebay.com | |
9. | Sony NEX-3 | 117 mm | 62 mm | 33 mm | 297 g | 330 | n | May 2010 | 599 | ebay.com | |
10. | Sony NEX-3N | 110 mm | 62 mm | 35 mm | 269 g | 480 | n | Feb 2013 | 499 | ebay.com | |
11. | Sony NEX-5 | 111 mm | 59 mm | 38 mm | 287 g | 330 | n | May 2010 | 699 | ebay.com | |
12. | Sony NEX-5R | 111 mm | 59 mm | 39 mm | 276 g | 330 | n | Aug 2012 | 749 | ebay.com | |
13. | Sony NEX-5T | 111 mm | 59 mm | 39 mm | 276 g | 330 | n | Aug 2013 | 699 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony NEX-6 | 120 mm | 67 mm | 43 mm | 345 g | 360 | n | Sep 2012 | 999 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony NEX-C3 | 110 mm | 60 mm | 33 mm | 225 g | 400 | n | Jun 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony NEX-F3 | 117 mm | 67 mm | 42 mm | 314 g | 470 | n | May 2012 | 599 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony RX100 | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 240 g | 330 | n | Jun 2012 | 649 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The 1100D was launched at a markedly lower price (by 36 percent) than the NEX-5N, 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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 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, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the 1100D is 12 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.5 (NEX-5N) and 1.6. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
With 16MP, the NEX-5N offers a higher resolution than the 1100D (12.2MP), but the NEX-5N has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.78μm versus 5.15μm for the 1100D). However, the NEX-5N is a somewhat more recent model (by 6 months) than the 1100D, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.
The resolution advantage of the Sony NEX-5N implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 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. The corresponding values for the Canon 1100D are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.3 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.1 x 11.4 inches or 43.4 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.5 inches or 36.2 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Sony Alpha NEX-5N has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 1100D are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (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.
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"). Of the two cameras under review, the NEX-5N provides substantially higher image quality than the 1100D, with an overall score that is 15 points higher. This advantage is based on 1.7 bits higher color depth, 1.7 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.5 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.
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 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 23.6 | 12.7 | 1079 | 77 | |
2. | Canon 1100D | APS-C | 12.2 | 4272 | 2848 | 720/30p | 21.9 | 11.0 | 755 | 62 | |
3. | Canon 600D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.1 | 11.5 | 793 | 65 | |
4. | Canon 650D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.7 | 11.2 | 722 | 62 | |
5. | Canon 1000D | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.0 | 10.9 | 719 | 62 | |
6. | Canon 1200D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.9 | 11.3 | 724 | 63 | |
7. | Canon G1 X | 1.5-inch | 14.2 | 4352 | 3264 | 1080/24p | 21.7 | 10.8 | 644 | 60 | |
8. | Canon M | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 22.1 | 11.2 | 827 | 65 | |
9. | Sony NEX-3 | APS-C | 14.0 | 4592 | 3056 | 720/30p | 22.1 | 12.0 | 830 | 68 | |
10. | Sony NEX-3N | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 22.8 | 12.5 | 1067 | 74 | |
11. | Sony NEX-5 | APS-C | 14.0 | 4592 | 3056 | 1080/60i | 22.2 | 12.2 | 796 | 69 | |
12. | Sony NEX-5R | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 23.7 | 13.1 | 910 | 78 | |
13. | Sony NEX-5T | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.0 | 1015 | 78 | |
14. | Sony NEX-6 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 23.7 | 13.1 | 1018 | 78 | |
15. | Sony NEX-C3 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 720/30p | 22.7 | 12.2 | 1083 | 73 | |
16. | Sony NEX-F3 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4912 | 3264 | 1080/60i | 22.7 | 12.3 | 1114 | 73 | |
17. | Sony RX100 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | 22.6 | 12.4 | 390 | 66 |
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the NEX-5N provides a higher video resolution than the 1100D. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60i, while the Canon is limited to 720/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the 1100D has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the NEX-5N relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the NEX-5N can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the FDA-EV1S. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Sony NEX-5N and Canon 1100D in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
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-5N | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | n | n | |
2. | Canon 1100D | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
3. | Canon 600D | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 3.7/s | Y | n | |
4. | Canon 650D | optical | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
5. | Canon 1000D | optical | n | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
6. | Canon 1200D | optical | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
7. | Canon G1 X | optical | n | 3.0 / 922 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 1.9/s | Y | Y | |
8. | Canon M | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 4.3/s | n | n | |
9. | Sony NEX-3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | n | n | |
10. | Sony NEX-3N | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | n | |
11. | Sony NEX-5 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | n | n | |
12. | Sony NEX-5R | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | n | n | |
13. | Sony NEX-5T | optional | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | n | n | |
14. | Sony NEX-6 | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 921 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | n | |
15. | Sony NEX-C3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.5/s | n | n | |
16. | Sony NEX-F3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.5/s | Y | n | |
17. | Sony RX100 | none | n | 3.0 / 1229 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The NEX-5N has a touchscreen, while the 1100D has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.
The NEX-5N 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 1100D does not have a selfie-screen.The NEX-5N writes its imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, while the 1100D uses SDXC cards.
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-5N and Canon EOS 1100D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony NEX-5N | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Canon 1100D | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon 600D | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
4. | Canon 650D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
5. | Canon 1000D | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
6. | Canon 1200D | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
7. | Canon G1 X | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
8. | Canon M | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
9. | Sony NEX-3 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
10. | Sony NEX-3N | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Sony NEX-5 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
12. | Sony NEX-5R | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
13. | Sony NEX-5T | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
14. | Sony NEX-6 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
15. | Sony NEX-C3 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
16. | Sony NEX-F3 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
17. | Sony RX100 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - |
Both the NEX-5N and the 1100D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 1100D was replaced by the Canon 1200D, while the NEX-5N was followed by the Sony NEX-5R. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-5N and 1100D can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-5N Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 1100D Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Is the Sony NEX-5N better than the Canon 1100D or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.
Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha NEX-5N:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (16 vs 12.2MP) with a 15% higher linear resolution.
- Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (15 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
- Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.7 bits more color depth).
- More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1.7 EV of extra DR).
- Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.5 stops ISO advantage).
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60i vs 720/30p).
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 230k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
- Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More compact: Is smaller (111x59mm vs 130x100mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
- Less heavy: Is lighter (by 226g or 46 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
- More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
- More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 6 months after the 1100D).
Advantages of the Canon EOS 1100D:
- Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (700 versus 460) out of a single battery charge.
- Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (36 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2011).
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the NEX-5N is the clear winner of the match-up (16 : 5 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 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.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-5N and the Canon 1100D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings 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 partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the NEX-5N or the 1100D. 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.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sony NEX-5N | 3/5 | + + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2011 | 699 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon 1100D | .. | 80/100 | .. | 69/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2011 | 449 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 600D | 3/5 | o | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon 650D | 4/5 | + + | .. | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2012 | 849 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 1000D | .. | 82/100 | .. | + + | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2008 | 449 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon 1200D | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2014 | 449 | ebay.com | |
7. | Canon G1 X | 5/5 | + | .. | 76/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2012 | 799 | ebay.com | |
8. | Canon M | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jul 2012 | 599 | ebay.com | |
9. | Sony NEX-3 | .. | .. | .. | 70/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | May 2010 | 599 | ebay.com | |
10. | Sony NEX-3N | 3/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2013 | 499 | ebay.com | |
11. | Sony NEX-5 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | May 2010 | 699 | ebay.com | |
12. | Sony NEX-5R | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2012 | 749 | ebay.com | |
13. | Sony NEX-5T | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2013 | 699 | ebay.com | |
14. | Sony NEX-6 | 5/5 | + + | .. | 78/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | 999 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony NEX-C3 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony NEX-F3 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2012 | 599 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony RX100 | 5/5 | + + | .. | 78/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | Jun 2012 | 649 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
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. 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.
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.
- Canon 1100D vs Canon SL1
- Canon 1100D vs Fujifilm GFX 50S
- Canon 1100D vs Nikon Z8
- Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-410
- Canon 1100D vs Panasonic GF2
- Canon 1100D vs Panasonic GM1
- Canon G7 X Mark III vs Sony NEX-5N
- Leica X1 vs Sony NEX-5N
- Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-5N
- Olympus E-P5 vs Sony NEX-5N
- Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX10 II
- Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VI
Specifications: Sony NEX-5N vs Canon 1100D
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 Model | Sony NEX-5N | Canon 1100D |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Digital single lens reflex |
Camera Lens | Sony E mount lenses | Canon EF mount lenses |
Launch Date | August 2011 | February 2011 |
Launch Price | USD 699 | USD 449 |
Sensor Specs | Sony NEX-5N | Canon 1100D |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | APS-C Sensor |
Sensor Size | 23.4 x 15.6 mm | 22.0 x 14.7 mm |
Sensor Area | 365.04 mm2 | 323.4 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 28.1 mm | 26.5 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.6x |
Sensor Resolution | 16 Megapixels | 12.2 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 4912 x 3264 pixels | 4272 x 2848 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 4.78 μm | 5.15 μm |
Pixel Density | 4.39 MP/cm2 | 3.76 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | 1080/60i Video | 720/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 25,600 ISO | 100 - 6,400 ISO |
Image Processor | BIONZ | DIGIC 4 |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 77 | 62 |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 23.6 | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.7 | 11.0 |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 1079 | 755 |
Screen Specs | Sony NEX-5N | Canon 1100D |
Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | Optical viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.50x | |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 2.7inch |
LCD Resolution | 920k dots | 230k dots |
LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | Fixed screen |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | no Touchscreen |
Shooting Specs | Sony NEX-5N | Canon 1100D |
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | Phase-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 10 shutter flaps/s | 3 shutter flaps/s |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | MS or SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
UHS card support | no | no |
Connectivity Specs | Sony NEX-5N | Canon 1100D |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | mini HDMI |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | no Wifi |
Body Specs | Sony NEX-5N | Canon 1100D |
Battery Type | Sony NP-FW50 | Canon LP-E10 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 460 shots per charge | 700 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
111 x 59 x 38 mm (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in) |
130 x 100 x 78 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 3.1 in) |
Camera Weight | 269 g (9.5 oz) | 495 g (17.5 oz) |
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