Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

74

"The original 5D was the first 'affordable' and lightweight full frame camera, and set a standard for low noise at high ISO settings that remains competitive three years later."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's iso-noise
"The 'denser' build and slightly chunkier grip on the EOS 5D Mark II does make it feel that bit more substantial than the EOS 50D, you know there's something special about it from the moment you lift it. That said it's also lighter than an EOS-1D series (obviously) and therefore is more portable for it."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's feel

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

True resolution
High true resolution
21 MP
Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Supports 24p
24p movies
For that film look
Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
1,815 ISO
Sensor size
Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.71x
Sony NEX-5N

67

Runner-up

Sony NEX-5N

Reasons to buy the Sony NEX-5N

Size
Really small
Compact 111x59x38 mm
Light sensitivity
High ISO
25,600 ISO
Touch screen
Touch screen
Less buttons
Supports 24p
24p movies
For that film look
Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12.7 EV
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark II

Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
Sealed to shoot in the rain
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
Help
Around 2.5x larger sensor
Lens availability Much more lenses available 125 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
More than 15.5x more lenses available
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 21 MP vs 16 MP
Help
Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 850 shots vs 460 shots
Help
More than 80% more shots per battery charge
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 1,815 ISO vs 1,079 ISO
Help
The 5D Mark II has a slight edge (0.8 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Startup delay Less startup delay 400 ms vs 1900 ms
Help
4.8x less delay when turning on
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentaprism vs None
Help
A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 79.0 vs 77.0
Help
Almost the same
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5N

Size Much smaller 111x59x38 mm vs 152x114x75 mm
Help
5.2x smaller
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The NEX-5N's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
Automatically focuses shooting video
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Weight Much lighter 269 g vs 850 g
Help
3.2x lighter
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 10 fps vs 3.9 fps
Help
More than 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.5" vs 3"
Help
Around 50% thinner
Focus points More focus points 25 vs 9
Help
Set focus accurately within the frame
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.7 EV vs 11.9 EV
Help
0.8 f-stops more dynamic range
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $598.00 vs $2,198.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $1,600 cheaper (3.7x less)
Sony NEX-5N Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5N
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
74 vs 67
Explain scores
Sony NEX-5N Sony NEX-5N
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

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2
votes
by Char-Sevig last month
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Mark II

I currently have a canon xsi, with several lenses. A canon 70-200mm f/4 L ,55-250mm, 50mm 1.8 ,18-...

One person recommends the Canon 5D Mark II:

"I recently upgraded from the XSi to the 5D Mark II and couldn't be happier. As I'm sure you know, ..."

1
votes
by Magdalene-Linda last month
Panasonic DMC-GX1 vs Sony NEX-5N

I am taking photos of bags in a light tent with two 5500k lights at the side. I need the photos ...

One person recommends the Sony NEX-5N:

" The Sony has a much larger image sensor, which will give you better quality images. If your lig..."

0
votes
by Poti-Jouseevis-Potgieter last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures

3 people recommend the Canon 600D:

" If you are a "beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures" I would recommend ..."

" If you are completely new to DSLR photography then having a 5D2 will give you a very steep learn..."

" The 5D Mark II is a far superior camera to the 600D.  But if you're going to be doing sport and ..."

0
votes
by Kostas-Nomikos last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

Which is better for video shooting?

0
votes
by Con-Graves 3 days ago
Canon 600D vs Sony NEX-5N

intermediate user who is interested in photography, landscapes, travel and developing creative s...

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution Very high resolution screens Help
920k dots
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
5D Mark II:79.0
NEX-5N:77.0
Supports 24p Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
For that film look
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
5D Mark II:1080p @ 30fps
NEX-5N:1080p @ 60fps
True resolution Capture extremely high resolution images Help
5D Mark II:21 MP
NEX-5N:16 MP
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
5D Mark II:Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
NEX-5N:APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Color depth Good color depth Help
5D Mark II:23.7 bits
NEX-5N:23.6 bits
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
5D Mark II:11.9 EV
NEX-5N:12.7 EV
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
5D Mark II:1,815 ISO
NEX-5N:1,079 ISO
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor cleaning Self cleaning sensors Help
Avoids dust in your photos
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
5D Mark II:1/8000s
NEX-5N:1/4000s
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
30 seconds
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,200 body only

$1,350 - $1,499 with 18-55mm lens

True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,500 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens

Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points
Built-in flash Built-in flash
Sensor size Much smaller sensor
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens

Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Weight Heavier
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,199 body only

Focus points Significantly more focus points
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points
Movie format Does not take movies
True resolution Much lower true resolution
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only

True resolution Much higher true resolution
Overall image quality Better image quality
Size Larger
Lowest price More expensive

Sony NEX-5N Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Startup delay Less startup delay
Supports 24p No 24p support
Touch screen No touch screen
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Built-in flash Built-in flash
Touch screen No touch screen
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously recording movies
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens

Startup delay Less startup delay
Weight Slightly lighter
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Supports 24p No 24p support

appearance

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Sony NEX-5N
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Sony NEX-5N
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Sony NEX-5N

discussion

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