Sony NEX-5N

Sony has replaced the NEX-5N with the NEX-5R.

Sony NEX-5R announced August, 2012

	Faster autofocus
	Significantly more focus points
	More dynamic range

Compare the new Sony NEX-5R vs the NEX-5N

Sony NEX 5N - what's new? (Fil...		Sony NEX-5N First Look Video!		Sony NEX-5N First Impressions ...
	Sample video 1080p Full HD High ISO		Sample video		Sample video Short film

Browse all Sony NEX-5N videos

The Sony NEX-5N vs other recent mirrorless cameras

	Low noise at high ISO
	1,079 ISO

	High resolution screen
	920k dots

	Good color depth
	23.6 bits

	24p movies
	For that film look

	Good maximum light sensitivity
	25,600 ISO

	Touch screen
	Less buttons

	In-camera panoramas
	Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama

	In-camera HDR
	Combines multiple exposures

	Takes 3D photos
	View photos in 3D on 3D televisions

	Great overall image quality
	77.0

	Wide dynamic range
	12.7 EV

	Flip-out screen
	Great for movies

	Movie continuous focus
	Makes it easy to get in-focus movies

	Above average battery life
	460 shots

	Quite small
	Compact 111x59x38 mm

	Light
	269 g

	External flash
	Better lighting

	Very popular
	Among snapsort users

The Sony NEX-5N vs other recent mirrorless cameras

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

	Old
	August, 2011

	No built-in flash
	Professional

	Can only preview photos on the screen
	None

	Fewer focus points
	25

Image quality data for the Sony NEX-5N provided by DxOMark

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Showing 21 comments

BamaPT

(0:53 PM, April 07, 2012)

I'm looking for my first interchangeable lens camera that will be used for kids sports (indoors and out) among other things. Also plan to use for video as well on limited basis.
Have been trying to decide between canon t3i and Nikon d5100 but now interested in the nex 5n. Can anyone recommend the best option for me or speak on experience with these models?

Pickeypoe

(6:06 PM, March 28, 2012)

Sony nex 5n vs nex c3 vs canon 600D or other ?
Can u advice me ?

Dodi__93

(8:54 AM, March 19, 2012)

Havent***

Dodi__93

(8:52 AM, March 19, 2012)

Im new here and i have bought a camera before exept for the one on the cellphone anw i wanna buy one for college should i go for nikon D7000 or sony NEX 5n ??

Chris J

(9:40 AM, January 28, 2012)

I have a Pentax DSLR with which I am very happy for many reasons. Looking for smaller system with minimum compromise on quality. Sony NEX-5N looks perfect BUT lens range is crippling. Body is great, but sensor size means Standard + Tele zoom = 540g compared to 300g for Micro 4/3 alternatives plus greater cost. That's the weight of a body! I have resigned myself to waiting for more E-mount lenses or better stats from Micro 4/3 bodies.

Frankbnn 93

(2:32 PM, January 05, 2012)

The 5n has much beyyer video quality and more features. Picture quality is the same .

SASQUATCH

(7:29 PM, December 27, 2011)

Ditched the NEX-5N, not enough camera for me, too limited on several areas, Nikon D5100 is what I've procured and it's a much better camera.

SASQUATCH

(4:59 PM, December 20, 2011)

Incorrectly read your question/statement, no in-body IS, lens IS only, same as a Nikon D5100 and several other DSLRs.

SASQUATCH

(4:57 PM, December 20, 2011)

Well YuZi, not sure what the issue really is for you exactly, either camera D5100 or Nex-5N are listed as compact DSLRs (yes the Nikon D5100 is technically listed as a compact DSLR, funny but oh well *dpreview.com*), anyway they are both great cameras and being new to "digital" SLRs at least, I don't think you could go wrong with either camera. My best suggestion based on the little intel you've provided for camera intent, would be that it doesn't sound like having a hot-shoe flash setup is a big deal since you are primarily shooting outdoor vids. The NEX-5N flash more than suffices my needs for the rare flash occasions I need.

YuZi

(1:18 AM, December 18, 2011)

I also have the same issue. I can't decide yet. I'll be primarily using the camera for video outdoors. I'll also be taking occasional pictures as well. I am a first time DLSR user so please explain! Thanks!

SASQUATCH

(7:32 PM, December 13, 2011)

Well Gert-Jan, I can offer you this link to side by side specs:

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=sony_nex5n&products=nikon_d5100&sortDir=ascending

Aside from that all I have is a non-professional photographers opinion of which I like more. I personally love the size of the NEX5N by comparison, now it doesn't have a hotshoe like the Nikon, but I would never use it anyway and so far I've just left the Nex5n flash on the camera. It really comes down to what you want to do with either camera, they are both compact SLRs technically, while the Sony is much smaller with nearly the same CMOS size. Neither have in-body image stabilization so no big deal there and with the Sony there is no limit to lenses I can use, whether its E-series or lenses from Canon, Nikon, Tamron, etc, just need the adapter which I've found from $35 to $85 on Amazon and local camera store. Honestly though the Sony lenses are comparable in quality and I'll likely just stick with their lens for awhile unless the right deal comes along.

Gert-Jan

(2:30 PM, December 12, 2011)

Hi SASQUATCH,
I hope you are reading this, because I'm trying to compare the D5100 and the Nex5n with each other. A difficult task. Maybe you can help me a little.

SASQUATCH

(1:33 AM, December 08, 2011)

Well yeah certain lenses will negate the AF functionallity, but there are numerous Canon and Nikon AF lenses that will work (with fully functioning AF). That said, I've also learned the Sony lenses are competitively priced with Canon/Nikon lenses and Sony is using great glass design and materials for their lenses.

SASQUATCH

(7:30 PM, December 03, 2011)

This camera is incredible, had the Sony Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V for two days and just returned it for the NEX-5NK. What's awesome is my son just bought a Nikon D5100 and we both have CMOS sensor types, both are APS-C, mine is (23.4 x 15.6 mm) & his 5100 is (23.6 x 15.7mm). Love the fact this camera has a true-reso of 16.1 along with RAW. It doesn't have the GPS (don't really care), but it's cool that it's optional. Even cooler I can get an adapter for "other-than" Sony lenses if I so choose. Next on my list will be the 55x210mm zoom lens, but can live with it's included lens for now.

Definitely recommend this camera to anyone.

SASQUATCH

(7:24 PM, December 03, 2011)

That's incorrect if I read your reply correctly. Sony uses an internal (body) IS setup vs in the lens.

NEX-5N Owner

(0:28 PM, November 29, 2011)

Yes, most lens adapters force manual focus and aperture changes. You need to set the camera's "release shutter without lens attached" function on as well. The exception to this is Sony's own adapters for A-mount lenses.

Yiejian

(5:00 PM, November 14, 2011)

Is there any Battery backup source such as an external battery grip?

Snapsort

(3:31 PM, October 23, 2011)

Hi Geo, we're talking about body image stabilization here, other cameras like the Pentax K-x have in body image stabilization, which means it works with all lenses. Yes, some lenses for the Nex-5N have built in image stabilization, same as most other interchangeable lens cameras.

Geo13

(8:16 AM, October 23, 2011)

No image stabilization ? wrong... stalilization in lenses

Kingjons

(9:08 AM, October 18, 2011)

would using lense adapter(to use other lenses) take away autofocus on the nex 5n?

Sahiljohnian

(11:05 AM, September 28, 2011)

how is the battery backup when using it only to make a videi at 1080p?

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Sony NEX-5N

Summary Sony NEX-5N

Replacement

Videos

Pros

The Sony NEX-5N vs other recent mirrorless cameras

Cons

The Sony NEX-5N vs other recent mirrorless cameras

dxomark

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Discussion What do you think about the Sony NEX-5N?

Showing 21 comments