Sony NEX-5N
Competitors

As well as being compared against other mirrorless, the Sony NEX-5N is also often compared to boutiques, entry-level DSLRs and pro digicams. The Sony NEX-5N's top rivals come from Sony (such as the NEX-5R and the Alpha NEX-5) and Samsung (such as the NX1000 and the NX300)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-5N compared to other mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (25,600 ISO vs 16,000 ISO), has a touch screen, can focus continuously while recording movies, has a slightly longer battery life (460 shots vs 330 shots) and is more popular.

However, on average it has slightly more startup delay (1900 ms vs 1200 ms), is older (august, 2011 vs april, 2012) and doesn't have a built-in flash.

Sony NEX-5R 1 year newer $498 (body only) $598 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5R (vs the NEX-5N) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significantly more focus points: 99 vs 25 Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5R (vs the NEX-5N) Significantly shorter battery life: 330 shots vs 460 shots common strengths of the NEX-5R and NEX-5N Good image quality: 78.0 vs 77.0 Good dynamic range: 13.1 EV vs 12.7 EV Good color depth: 23.7 bits vs 23.6 bits
	Compare the NEX-5R vs the NEX-5N
Sony Alpha NEX-5 1 year older $656 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5 (vs the NEX-5N) Less startup delay: 1000 ms vs 1900 ms Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5 (vs the NEX-5N) No touch screen No 24p support Worse maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 25,600 ISO common strengths of the NEX-5 and NEX-5N Good dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 12.7 EV Good color depth: 22.2 bits vs 23.6 bits Flip-out screens
	Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the NEX-5N
Sony NEX-7 similar age $948 (body only) $1,098 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-7 (vs the NEX-5N) Has a viewfinder: Digital vs None Has an external mic jack Much higher true resolution: 24 MP vs 16 MP Significant disadvantages of the NEX-7 (vs the NEX-5N) No touch screen Worse maximum light sensitivity: 16,000 ISO vs 25,600 ISO common strengths of the NEX-7 and NEX-5N Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,016 ISO vs 1,079 ISO Good image quality: 81.0 vs 77.0 Good dynamic range: 13.4 EV vs 12.7 EV
	Compare the NEX-7 vs the NEX-5N
Sony Alpha NEX-3N 1 year newer $448 16-50mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-3N (vs the NEX-5N) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Built-in flash Significant disadvantages of the NEX-3N (vs the NEX-5N) No touch screen Worse maximum light sensitivity: 16,000 ISO vs 25,600 ISO No external flash support common strengths of the NEX-3N and NEX-5N Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,067 ISO vs 1,079 ISO Good image quality: 74.0 vs 77.0 Good dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 12.7 EV
	Compare the Alpha NEX-3N vs the NEX-5N
Sony NEX-F3 8 months newer $379 - $730 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-F3 (vs the NEX-5N) Built-in flash Significant disadvantages of the NEX-F3 (vs the NEX-5N) No touch screen Doesn't focus continuously recording movies Worse maximum light sensitivity: 16,000 ISO vs 25,600 ISO common strengths of the NEX-F3 and NEX-5N Relatively low noise at high ISO: 1,114 ISO vs 1,079 ISO Good image quality: 73.0 vs 77.0 Good dynamic range: 12.3 EV vs 12.7 EV
	Compare the NEX-F3 vs the NEX-5N
Samsung NX1000 7 months newer $325 - $630 20-50mm lens	Significant advantages of the NX1000 (vs the NEX-5N) Higher true resolution: 20 MP vs 16 MP Significant disadvantages of the NX1000 (vs the NEX-5N) No touch screen Screen does not flip out Significantly shorter battery life: 320 shots vs 460 shots common strengths of the NX1000 and NEX-5N 24p support In-camera HDR 3D photos
	Compare the Samsung NX1000 vs the Sony NEX-5N

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-5N compared to boutique competitors include: it has slightly better image quality (77.0 vs 60.0), records higher quality movies (1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 30fps), has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.8"), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 460k dots) and is much smaller (compact 111x59x38 mm vs standard size 117x81x65 mm).

However, on average it doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), has much fewer focus points (25 vs 49), doesn't have a viewfinder (none vs tunnel) and doesn't have a built-in flash.

Canon PowerShot G1X 4 months newer $649 - $699	Significant advantages of the G1X (vs the NEX-5N) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Significantly longer battery life: 700 shots vs 460 shots Built-in flash Significant disadvantages of the G1X (vs the NEX-5N) No touch screen Much larger: Standard size 117x81x65 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Doesn't take 3D photos common strengths of the G1X and NEX-5N Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0" 24p support Flip-out screens
	Compare the Canon PowerShot G1X vs the Sony NEX-5N
Fujifilm FinePix X100 1 year older $1,565	Significant advantages of the X100 (vs the NEX-5N) Many more focus points: 49 vs 25 Built-in flash Has a viewfinder: Optical vs None Significant disadvantages of the X100 (vs the NEX-5N) Much more shutter lag: 403 ms vs 235 ms Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 60fps No touch screen common strengths of the X100 and NEX-5N Many focus points: 49 vs 25 In-camera panoramas In-camera HDR
	Compare the Fujifilm FinePix X100 vs the Sony NEX-5N

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-5N compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it is slightly less noisy at high ISO (1,079 ISO vs 793 ISO), has slightly better image quality (77.0 vs 65.0), has slightly more color depth (23.6 bits vs 22.1 bits), has slightly wider dynamic range (12.7 EV vs 11.5 EV) and much higher maximum light sensitivity (25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO).

However, on average it takes slightly lower resolution photos (16 MP vs 24.1 MP), has significantly more startup delay (1900 ms vs 700 ms), doesn't have a viewfinder (none vs pentamirror), lacks and external mic jack and much fewer lenses available (8 lenses vs 162 lenses).

Canon Rebel T3i 6 months older $549 (body only) $599 - $649 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the NEX-5N) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the NEX-5N) More noise at high ISO: 793 ISO vs 1,079 ISO Significantly worse image quality: 65.0 vs 77.0 Much larger: Professional size 133x99x79 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm common strengths of the T3i and NEX-5N 24p support Flip-out screens
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D5100 4 months older $497 (body only) $597 - $805 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the NEX-5N) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Much more lenses available: 169 lenses vs 8 lenses Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the NEX-5N) Much larger: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Worse maximum light sensitivity: 6,400 ISO vs 25,600 ISO No touch screen common strengths of the D5100 and NEX-5N 24p support Flip-out screens Focus continuously recording movies
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D3200 7 months newer $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3200 (vs the NEX-5N) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Much more lenses available: 169 lenses vs 8 lenses Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significant disadvantages of the D3200 (vs the NEX-5N) Worse maximum light sensitivity: 6,400 ISO vs 25,600 ISO Much larger: Prosumer size 125x96x76 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm No touch screen common strengths of the D3200 and NEX-5N Good color depth: 24.1 bits vs 23.6 bits 24p support Focus continuously recording movies
	Compare the Nikon D3200 vs the Sony NEX-5N
Canon Rebel T4i 8 months newer $699 - $800 (body only) $749 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T4i (vs the NEX-5N) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the T4i (vs the NEX-5N) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 722 ISO vs 1,079 ISO Significantly worse image quality: 62.0 vs 77.0 Worse color depth: 21.7 bits vs 23.6 bits common strengths of the T4i and NEX-5N Have touch screens 24p support Flip-out screens
	Compare the Canon 650D / T4i vs the Sony NEX-5N
Sony SLT A57 6 months newer $460 - $499 (body only) $519 - $539 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the SLT A57 (vs the NEX-5N) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Has a viewfinder: Digital vs None Has an external mic jack Significant disadvantages of the SLT A57 (vs the NEX-5N) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 785 ISO vs 1,079 ISO Much larger: Professional size 132x98x81 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm No touch screen common strengths of the SLT A57 and NEX-5N Very fast continuous shooting: 12 fps vs 10 fps Very good maximum light sensitivity: 16,000 ISO vs 25,600 ISO 24p support
	Compare the SLT A57 vs the NEX-5N
Canon Rebel SL1 1 year newer $649 (body only) $799 - $804 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the SL1 (vs the NEX-5N) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the SL1 (vs the NEX-5N) Much larger: Prosumer size 117x91x69 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Worse maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 25,600 ISO Screen does not flip out common strengths of the SL1 and NEX-5N Have touch screens 24p support Very small: Prosumer size 117x91x69 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm
	Compare the Canon 100D/SL1 vs the Sony NEX-5N

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-5N compared to pro digicam competitors include: it has a much larger sensor (APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs nikon CX 13.2x8.8mm), is much less noisy at high ISO (1,079 ISO vs 390 ISO), has significantly better image quality (77.0 vs 66.0), has a touch screen and records movies in 24p.

However, on average it doesn't have a built-in flash, has a slightly lower resolution screen (920k dots vs 1,229k dots), is slightly larger (compact 111x59x38 mm vs compact 101x59x36 mm), doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens) and takes much lower resolution photos (16 MP vs 20 MP).

Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 9 months newer $648 - $760	Significant advantages of the DSC-RX100 (vs the NEX-5N) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Much higher true resolution: 20 MP vs 16 MP Significant disadvantages of the DSC-RX100 (vs the NEX-5N) Much smaller sensor: Nikon CX 13.2x8.8mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 390 ISO vs 1,079 ISO Screen does not flip out common strengths of the DSC-RX100 and NEX-5N Very large sensors: Nikon CX 13.2x8.8mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Very low noise at high ISO: 390 ISO vs 1,079 ISO Extremely good image quality: 66.0 vs 77.0
	Compare the Cybershot DSC-RX100 vs the NEX-5N