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Sony NEX-5N vs NEX-5

The Sony Alpha NEX-5N and the Sony Alpha NEX-5 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 2011 and May 2010. Both the NEX-5N and the NEX-5 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The NEX-5N has a resolution of 16 megapixels, whereas the NEX-5 provides 14 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Sony NEX-5N
versus
Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-5N   Sony NEX-5
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
16 MP – APS-C sensor 14 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 100-25,600 ISO 200-12,800
Viewfinder optional Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 920k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Tilting touchscreen Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
10 shutter flaps per second 7 shutter flaps per second
460 shots per battery charge330 shots per battery charge
111 x 59 x 38 mm, 269 g 111 x 59 x 38 mm, 287 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha NEX-5N and the Sony Alpha NEX-5? 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-5N and the Sony NEX-5 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

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

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

In this particular case, the Sony NEX-5N and the Sony NEX-5 have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. However, the NEX-5 is markedly heavier (7 percent) than the NEX-5N. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the NEX-5N nor the NEX-5 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-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 699ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-5 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 287 g 330 n May 2010 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M 109 mm 66 mm 32 mm 298 g 230 n Jul 2012 599ebay.com
4.
 
Sony NEX-3N 110 mm 62 mm 35 mm 269 g 480 n Feb 2013 499ebay.com
5.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-6 120 mm 67 mm 43 mm 345 g 360 n Sep 2012 999ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX100 102 mm 58 mm 36 mm 240 g 330 n Jun 2012 649ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
11.
 
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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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. 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 two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the 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-5N and Sony NEX-5 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the NEX-5N 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-5N 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). In this context, it should be noted, however, that the NEX-5N is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 3 months) than the NEX-5, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size.

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 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-5N has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-5 are ISO 200 to ISO 12800 (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-5N versus NEX-5 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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 review, the NEX-5N has a notably higher overall DXO score than the NEX-5 (overall score 8 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 1.4 bits higher color depth, 0.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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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-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
2.
 
Sony NEX-5 APS-C 14.0 4592 30561080/60i22.212.279669
3.
 
Canon M APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.111.282765
4.
 
Sony NEX-3N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.812.5106774
5.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
6.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
7.
 
Sony NEX-6 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.1101878
8.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
9.
 
Sony RX100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.612.439066
10.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
11.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
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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, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60i).

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The NEX-5N and the NEX-5 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-EV1S for the NEX-5N and the FDA-SV1 for the NEX-5 – are available as accessories. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony NEX-5N and Sony NEX-5 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-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
2.
 
Sony NEX-5optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon Mnone n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.3/s n n
4.
 
Sony NEX-3Noptional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
5.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
6.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
7.
 
Sony NEX-62359 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y n
8.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
9.
 
Sony RX100none n3.0 / 1229 fixed n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
11.
 
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-5N 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-5N and the NEX-5 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-5N and Sony Alpha NEX-5 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-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony NEX-5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon MYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Sony NEX-3N-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
5.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
6.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
7.
 
Sony NEX-6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Sony RX100-stereo / mono--micro2.0---
10.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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Both the NEX-5N and the NEX-5 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-5 was replaced by the Sony NEX-5N, while the NEX-5N was followed by the Sony NEX-5R. Further information on the features and operation of the NEX-5N and NEX-5 can be found, respectively, in the Sony NEX-5N Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-5 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Sony NEX-5N and the Sony NEX-5? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.


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

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (16 vs 14MP) with a 7% higher linear resolution.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (8 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.4 bits more color depth).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (460 versus 330) on a single battery charge.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 3 months after the NEX-5).


Advantages of the Sony Alpha NEX-5:

  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in May 2010).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the NEX-5N is the clear winner of the match-up (8 : 1 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding 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-5N 08:01 NEX-5

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony NEX-5N and the Sony NEX-5 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the NEX-5N and the NEX-5 in practical situations. 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 adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 699ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-53/5+ +..71/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon M3/5+....4/54/5 Jul 2012 599ebay.com
4.
 
Sony NEX-3N3/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 499ebay.com
5.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
6.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
7.
 
Sony NEX-65/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 999ebay.com
8.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
9.
 
Sony RX1005/5+ +..78/1004/55/5 Jun 2012 649ebay.com
10.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
11.
 
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 were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. 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? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5

    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-5N Sony NEX-5
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2011 May 2010
    Launch Price USD 699 USD 699
    Sensor Specs Sony NEX-5N Sony NEX-5
    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 16 Megapixels 14 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.78 μm 5.11 μm
    Pixel Density 4.39 MP/cm2 3.84 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 200 - 12,800 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 77 69
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.6 22.2
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.7 12.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1079 796
    Screen Specs Sony NEX-5N Sony NEX-5
    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 Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Sony NEX-5N Sony NEX-5
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s 7 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-5N Sony NEX-5
    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 Sony NEX-5
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)460 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 38 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 269 g (9.5 oz) 287 g (10.1 oz)
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