Canon Rebel
T2i
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

Updated (August, 2011): Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

72
"Quite simply, taken as a whole, it is the best camera of its class that we've ever seen, and one of those rare cameras that won't look out of date in a couple of years' time."
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's overall-performance
"Excellent detail and resolution"
dpreview.com | talking about the T2i's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon Rebel T2i

Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
1,040k dots
True resolution
 High true resolution
17.9 MP
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Badge
 Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Sony Alpha NEX-5

54
Runner-up

Sony Alpha NEX-5
"The system for manually positioning AF points is quick and easy to use."
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's auto-focus
"High quality video mode"
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's video-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-5

Size
 Really small
Compact 111x59x38 mm
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
12,800 ISO
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama

differences

Advantages of the Canon T2i
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
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Lens availability Much more lenses available 162 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
 Around 20.5x more lenses available
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 14 MP
Help
 Capture around 30% more detail in your photos
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 920k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentamirror vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Startup delay Less startup delay 400 ms vs 1000 ms
Help
 2.5x less delay when turning on
Battery life Longer battery life 440 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 More than 30% more shots per battery charge
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 252 ms vs 441 ms
Help
 More than 40% less delay when taking photos
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs None
Help
 Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Learn more about
the Canon T2i

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5
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
Size Significantly smaller 111x59x38 mm vs 129x98x62 mm
Help
 3.1x smaller
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
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
 0.7 f-stops more dynamic range
Focus points More focus points 25 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Weight Significantly lighter 287 g vs 530 g
Help
 Around 50% lighter
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 69.0 vs 66.0
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 7 fps vs 3.7 fps
Help
 Around 90% faster continuous shooting
Thickness Thinner 1.5" vs 2.4"
Help
 Around 40% thinner
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 Around 10% larger sensor
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Canon Rebel T2i
72 vs 54
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon T2i or the Sony NEX-5,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by Lynda-Driscoll last month
Canon T2i vs Sony NEX-5

I'm a mature amateur who would like a camera that takes great detail but is uncomplicated.

One person recommends the Sony NEX-5:

" Very simply... if you are looking for great detail... you are talking about Macro Photography......"
0
votes
by Erin-Abbott last month
Canon T2i vs Sony NEX-5

I'm hoping to get into photography as a hobby and just bought the Canon T2i. I travel a lot tho...

One person recommends the Sony NEX-5:

" I have owned the T2i, and I OWN a Nex-3... I also use a Canon 50D... When I compare the quality..."
0
votes
by Carter-Rudnick last month
Canon T2i vs Panasonic DMC-G3

I am a beginner, I am looking to buy a good dslr that has a good cinematic feel to it, and is no...

One person recommends the Panasonic DMC-G3:

" Much  more of a cinematic photography camera, the G3 is extremely Flexible, and with a simple ad..."
0
votes
by dbarreda last week
Canon T1i vs Canon T2i

I like photography but I am and I will not be dedicated to this, I just want to take good photos...
1
votes
by Matthew-Kim last month
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5

I am a beginner but woudl like to take quality pictures of my kids.

One person recommends the Sony NEX-5N:

"Hi Matthew, I think both of these cameras would be awesome. The Sony NEX cameras are really small ..."

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution Very high resolution screens Help
T2i:1,040k dots
NEX-5:920k dots
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
1080p @ 30fps
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
T2i:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
NEX-5:APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
T2i:17.9 MP
NEX-5:14 MP
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
Color depth Good color depth Help
T2i:22.1 bits
NEX-5:22.2 bits
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
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
30 seconds
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
T2i:1
NEX-5:0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D5100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Autofocus Focuses automatically while shootting video
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D3100 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Light sensitivity Much higher maximum light sensitivity
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D90 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the D90 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Battery life Much longer battery life
Size Larger
Weight Heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T2i
Canon EOS Rebel T1i

Canon Rebel T1i

Entry-level DSLR

$475 - $629 body only

$549 - $580 with 18-55mm lens
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Supports 24p No 24p support
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the Rebel T2i

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,200 body only

$1,350 - $1,499 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Startup delay Slightly more startup delay
Weight Heavier
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Continuous shooting Shoots slower
Size Slightly larger
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality
True resolution Higher true resolution
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly slower
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$689 with 18-55mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Storage slots Has more storage slots
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the Alpha NEX-5

appearance

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Sony Alpha NEX-5
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Sony Alpha NEX-5
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Sony Alpha NEX-5

discussion

Showing 14 comments

MaddyBlue eyes (11:17 PM, December 12, 2011)
I need a camera that takes quick pictures and not a alot of shutter lag.  I talked to two different sales people and one said go for the Sony Nex 5N and the other the Cannon Ti2.  I just want to be able to take good pictures of my grand kids and have a good camera to take on vacations.  Help or is there another one that someone would suggest getting.  I really don't want to spend over $700.
 
Crzygreeknc (6:20 PM, June 28, 2011)
I think its interesting that if you look at the 90 vs 70 score for the above two cameras the only reason that cannon won was bc of the "popularity" score.  If you took that portion of the test out the Nex-5 would win 70-64, im just saying.
 
Al (0:34 AM, February 08, 2011)
great quick comparison guide. I have been contemplating between the two and settled on the Sony NEX5 for its true camcorder-isk features ... full time autofocus. This replaces my aging camcorder and portability. I travel alot, but didn't want a camera to sacrifice image quality.

The Sony NEX5 hits the sweet spot with its portability, low light capability (high and clean ISO images), panaroma picture feature (which was true bonus), and price point.

Canon is good, but find it too bulky to carry around especially for travel and the non autofocus kills the video recording feature regardless of HD capability.

Not to mention, Sony sleek design receives alot more compliments from people especially after seeing the image results. Most can't believe the picture quality can come from a small camera.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (5:57 PM, January 31, 2011)
Hi Shynn, Snapsort doesn't hate Sony! Sony has some of the most innovative cameras out there, very impressive. If you ask Snapsort to recommend the best DSLR for less than $1000US for low light it currently recommends the Sony Alpha 580 (with the D90 and T2i as runners up).

Often the specs don't tell the whole story, so Snapsort includes "popularity" in its recommendations, which enables it to make somewhat "safe" recommendations, which is one reason the T2i comes out ahead here.
 
Shynn (10:38 PM, January 28, 2011)
yup, by the specs and everything, it is very obvious that this author ONLY supports canon and hates sony. like many people, they all have bias view for sony's products. it is not good b4, it is not good now. what the heck, try it first b4 u even post this. "don't know me, don't judge me". yes, canon is good, nikon is good. but sony is trying their best to improve, just give them a chance already. futhermore, i likes the functions of sony camera :D
 
John (0:13 AM, January 16, 2011)
IS the sony not 12 bit and the T2i 14ibit
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:05 AM, December 14, 2010)
I think Nicholap's question was rather specific, does the NEX-5 allow changing of those settings while shooting a movie?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:04 AM, December 14, 2010)
Great info, thanks Ash. Regarding ISO 12,800, if that was true, wouldn't everyone shoot at ISO 100 and push it in post? :)
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (1:04 AM, December 14, 2010)
Cool, I had no idea it could work with Leica lenses. By the way, did you see our new site LensHero, it makes it easy to find lenses, for example lenses for the NEX-5 or Leica M lenses.
 
ash (11:34 PM, December 13, 2010)
A nice feature of the NEX5 is that it allows u to use Leica 'M' lenses..in manual mode, this is the reason i got it.
 
ash (11:33 PM, December 13, 2010)
Snapsort -- Thanks for the review - I own a nex5 - That being said, I don't think the fact that a camera has ISO 12800 makes it any better than a camera that has 6400... It just as easy to underexpose by one stop and push the ISO.
If it were my only camera, i'd definitely go for the Canon T2i.. but as a second body the NEX5 is awesome.

Nicholap--The NEX5 most definitely allows u to change aperture/ISO etc.. is has all the same modes as Canon (AV, M, S etc).
 
Nicholap (11:25 AM, November 23, 2010)
Very accurate comparison , one difference that i have found is that on movie mode , the Nex 5 does not allow you to change the Apperture and Iso , the Canon does.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (8:18 PM, August 27, 2010)
Hi Venkat, Snapsort is always unbiased, and definitely doesn't support Canon over any other brand.

Thanks for pointing out our mistake, you're right the Sony NEX-5 does have a built-in flash, we'll get that fixed asap. As far as ISO, our comparison says:

The NEX-5 has an advantage because:

(it has) Better maximum light sensitivity, 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO, The NEX-5's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better.

I believe that is accurate.
 
Avatar for Venkat Ramanan Venkat Ramanan (8:10 PM, August 27, 2010)
This comparison is not accurate. It is very obvious that this person supports the Cannon not the Sony. Sony Default ISO is 12800 but Cannon Ti2 has 6400. Cannon's cheap marketing tactics.