Sony Alpha NEX-5
Competitors

As well as being compared against other mirrorless, the Sony Alpha NEX-5 is also often compared to boutiques, entry-level DSLRs and pro digicams. The Sony Alpha NEX-5's top rivals come from Sony (such as the NEX-5N and the NEX-7) and Nikon (such as the 1 J1 and the D3100)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-5 compared to other mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps) and has slightly less startup delay (1000 ms vs 1400 ms).

However, on average it doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 1,200 fps), takes slightly lower resolution photos (14 MP vs 16 MP), doesn't record movies in 24p, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (7 fps vs 60 fps) and lacks and external mic jack.

Sony NEX-5N 1 year newer $598 - $600 (body only) $698 - $700 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-5N (vs the NEX-5) Supports 24p Has a touch screen Better maximum light sensitivity: 25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO Significant disadvantages of the NEX-5N (vs the NEX-5) Much more startup delay: 1900 ms vs 1000 ms common strengths of the NEX-5N and NEX-5 Good image quality: 77.0 vs 69.0 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 J1 1 year newer $547 10-30mm lens	Significant advantages of the J1 (vs the NEX-5) Records high-speed movies: 1,200 fps vs None Shoots much faster: 60 fps vs 7 fps Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significant disadvantages of the J1 (vs the NEX-5) Significantly more noise at high ISO: 372 ISO vs 796 ISO Significantly lower resolution screen: 460k dots vs 920k dots Worse image quality: 56.0 vs 69.0 common strengths of the J1 and NEX-5 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Fairly small: Compact 106x61x29 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Inexpensive: $546.95 vs $569.00
	Compare the Nikon 1 J1 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7 1 year newer $1,200 (body only) $1,350 - $1,499 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-7 (vs the NEX-5) Much higher true resolution: 24 MP vs 14 MP Has a viewfinder: Digital vs None Better image quality: 81.0 vs 69.0 Significant disadvantages of the NEX-7 (vs the NEX-5) None found common strengths of the NEX-7 and NEX-5 Good image quality: 81.0 vs 69.0 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX C3 1 year newer $548 16mm lens	Significant advantages of the C3 (vs the NEX-5) None found Significant disadvantages of the C3 (vs the NEX-5) Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps common strengths of the C3 and NEX-5 Good image quality: 73.0 vs 69.0 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 920k dots Good dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 12.2 EV
	Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-F3 2 years newer $600 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-F3 (vs the NEX-5) Supports 24p Has an external mic jack Significantly longer battery life: 470 shots vs 330 shots Significant disadvantages of the NEX-F3 (vs the NEX-5) None found common strengths of the NEX-F3 and NEX-5 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 60fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Very good maximum light sensitivity: 16,000 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
	Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-3 similar age $689 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the NEX-3 (vs the NEX-5) Has more storage slots: 2 vs 1 Has an external mic jack Significant disadvantages of the NEX-3 (vs the NEX-5) Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps common strengths of the NEX-3 and NEX-5 Good image quality: 68.0 vs 69.0 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Good dynamic range: 12 EV vs 12.2 EV
	Compare the NEX-3 vs the NEX-5

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-5 compared to boutique competitors include: it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 460k dots), is much smaller (compact 111x59x38 mm vs standard size 117x81x65 mm), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO) and shoots faster continuously (7 fps vs 1.9 fps).

However, on average it doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), doesn't record movies in 24p, has much more shutter lag (441 ms vs 403 ms), is older (may, 2010 vs january, 2012) and lacks boost light sensitivity (none vs 12,800 ISO).

Canon PowerShot G1X 1 year newer $799 - $800	Significant advantages of the G1X (vs the NEX-5) Image stabilization: Lens vs None Supports 24p Built-in flash Significant disadvantages of the G1X (vs the NEX-5) Much larger: Standard size 117x81x65 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Lacks in-camera panoramic stitching Doesn't take 3D photos common strengths of the G1X and NEX-5 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Larger than average screens: 3.0" vs 3.0"
	Compare the Canon PowerShot G1X vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Fujifilm FinePix X100 4 months newer $1,199	Significant advantages of the X100 (vs the NEX-5) Much less shutter lag: 403 ms vs 441 ms Built-in flash Has boost ISO: 12,800 ISO vs None Significant disadvantages of the X100 (vs the NEX-5) Much more startup delay: 3200 ms vs 1000 ms Much larger: Standard size 127x75x54 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps common strengths of the X100 and NEX-5 Fast continuous shooting: 5 fps vs 7 fps Good dynamic range: 12.4 EV vs 12.2 EV Large sensors: APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
	Compare the Fujifilm FinePix X100 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-5 compared to entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has slightly wider dynamic range (12.2 EV vs 11.5 EV), has a slightly higher resolution screen (920k dots vs 230k dots), significantly higher maximum light sensitivity (12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO), shoots faster continuously (7 fps vs 3 fps) and has a screen which flips out.

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (796 ISO vs 919 ISO), doesn't record movies in 24p, has slightly more startup delay (1000 ms vs 500 ms), doesn't have a viewfinder (none vs pentaprism) and lacks and external mic jack.

Nikon D3100 3 months newer $500 - $547 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D3100 (vs the NEX-5) Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 169 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the D3100 (vs the NEX-5) Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots Less dynamic range: 11.3 EV vs 12.2 EV Much larger: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm common strengths of the D3100 and NEX-5 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Fairly small: Prosumer size 124x96x73 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Thin: 2.9" vs 1.5"
	Compare the Nikon D3100 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Canon Rebel T2i 3 months older $544 - $949 (body only) $649 - $867 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T2i (vs the NEX-5) 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 T2i (vs the NEX-5) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.2 EV Many fewer focus points: 9 vs 25 Lacks in-camera panoramic stitching common strengths of the T2i and NEX-5 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Very small: Prosumer size 129x98x62 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm
	Compare the Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Canon Rebel T3i 9 months newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the NEX-5) 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-5) Less dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 12.2 EV Much larger: Professional size 133x99x79 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Many fewer focus points: 9 vs 25 common strengths of the T3i and NEX-5 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 920k dots Flip-out screens
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D5100 10 months newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the NEX-5) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 796 ISO Has a viewfinder: Pentamirror vs None Significantly better image quality: 80.0 vs 69.0 Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the NEX-5) Much larger: Prosumer size 127x96x78 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 25 Lacks in-camera panoramic stitching common strengths of the D5100 and NEX-5 Both shoot high resolution HD movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 920k dots Flip-out screens
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Canon Rebel T3 9 months newer $333 (body only) $489 - $500 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3 (vs the NEX-5) 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 T3 (vs the NEX-5) Less dynamic range: 11 EV vs 12.2 EV Much smaller screen: 2.7" vs 3.0" Much lower resolution screen: 230k dots vs 920k dots common strengths of the T3 and NEX-5 Light weight: 459 g vs 287 g Inexpensive: $333.00 vs $569.00
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D90 1 year older $830 - $897 (body only) $1,200 - $1,299 18-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the NEX-5) Has a viewfinder: Pentaprism vs None Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 169 lenses vs 8 lenses Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the NEX-5) Lower resolution movies: 720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps Much larger: Professional size 132x103x77 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm Many fewer focus points: 11 vs 25 common strengths of the D90 and NEX-5 High resolution screens: 930k dots vs 920k dots
	Compare the Nikon D90 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Generally, some of the advantages of the Sony NEX-5 compared to pro digicam competitors include: it has a much larger sensor (APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm), is much less noisy at high ISO (796 ISO vs 161 ISO), has much better image quality (69.0 vs 47.0), records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps) and has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.8").

However, on average it doesn't have a built-in flash, doesn't have image stabilization (none vs lens), doesn't record movies in 24p, is older (may, 2010 vs september, 2011) and lacks boost light sensitivity (none vs 12,800 ISO).

Canon PowerShot G12 4 months newer $370 - $496	Significant advantages of the G12 (vs the NEX-5) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the G12 (vs the NEX-5) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 161 ISO vs 796 ISO Worse color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.2 bits common strengths of the G12 and NEX-5 Supports RAW Good color depth: 20.4 bits vs 22.2 bits Flip-out screens
	Compare the Canon PowerShot G12 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Fujifilm Finepix X10 1 year newer $599	Significant advantages of the X10 (vs the NEX-5) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has boost ISO: 12,800 ISO vs None Significant disadvantages of the X10 (vs the NEX-5) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 8.8x6.6mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 245 ISO vs 796 ISO Worse color depth: 20.5 bits vs 22.2 bits common strengths of the X10 and NEX-5 Very large sensors: 1/1.7" 8.8x6.6mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Relatively low noise at high ISO: 245 ISO vs 796 ISO Supports RAW
	Compare the Fujifilm Finepix X10 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Canon Powershot S100 1 year newer $370 - $430	Significant advantages of the S100 (vs the NEX-5) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the S100 (vs the NEX-5) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.8" 7.5x5.5mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 153 ISO vs 796 ISO Worse color depth: 20.7 bits vs 22.2 bits common strengths of the S100 and NEX-5 Supports RAW Good image quality: 50.0 vs 69.0 Full HD (1080p) video: 1080p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps
	Compare the Canon Powershot S100 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 similar age $359	Significant advantages of the DMC-LX5 (vs the NEX-5) Built-in flash Image stabilization: Lens vs None Has boost ISO: 12,800 ISO vs None Significant disadvantages of the DMC-LX5 (vs the NEX-5) Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Much more noise at high ISO: 132 ISO vs 796 ISO Worse color depth: 19.6 bits vs 22.2 bits common strengths of the DMC-LX5 and NEX-5 Very large sensors: 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm Supports RAW Fairly small: Mid size 109x65x42 mm vs Compact 111x59x38 mm
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 vs the Sony Alpha NEX-5