Canon Rebel
T2i
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

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

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

86
"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as a whole, it is the best camera of its class that we've ever seen, and one of those rare cameras that won't look out of date in a couple of years' time."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
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
400 ms startup delay
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Lens availability
 Slightly more lenses available
162 lenses
Sony Alpha NEX-5

58
Runner-up

Sony Alpha NEX-5
"High quality video mode"
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's video-quality
"In terms of physical handling, both NEX cameras are also pretty good"
dpreview.com | talking about the NEX-5's button-layout

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
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
Startup delay Less startup delay 400 ms vs 1000 ms
Help
 2.5x less delay when turning on
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
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 920k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Pentamirror vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Battery life Longer battery life 440 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 More than 30% more shots per battery charge
Shutter lag 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
Cross type focus points Slightly more cross-type focus points 1 vs 0
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
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
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
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
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
Focus points More focus points 25 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
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
86 vs 58
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.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

CanonRebel T2i
 Canon EOS Rebel T2i vs Sony Alpha NEX-5
SonyAlpha NEX-5
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
8
26
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
12
21
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
14
17
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
14
14
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
13
20
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
25
10
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
11
19
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
1080p @ 30fps
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
T2i:1,040k dots
NEX-5:920k dots
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 Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Color depth Good color depth Help
T2i:22.1 bits
NEX-5:22.2 bits
Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
T2i:6,400 ISO
NEX-5:12,800 ISO
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
T2i:784 ISO
NEX-5:796 ISO
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Sensor cleaning Self cleaning sensors Help
Avoids dust in your photos
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

$624 - $800 body only

$869 - $1,100 with 18-135mm 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

$650 - $749 body only

$600 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
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 - $984 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

$379 body only

$459 - $750 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

$599 body only

$698 - $699 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Light sensitivity Much higher maximum light sensitivity
External mic jack Lacks and external mic jack
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony SLT-A55

Sony SLT-A55

Entry-level DSLR

$699 body only

$798 - $809 with 18-55mm lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Autofocus Focuses automatically while shootting video
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the SLT-A55 vs the Rebel T2i
Compare the SLT-A55 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS Rebel T1i

Canon Rebel T1i

Entry-level DSLR

$445 - $629 body only

$508 - $609 with 18-55mm lens
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay
Supports 24p No 24p support
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Compare the Rebel T1i vs the Rebel T2i
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$879 - $1,304 body only

$1,139 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Battery life Much longer battery life
Size Larger
Weight Significantly heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Rebel T2i
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$849 - $897 body only

$1,099 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Overall image quality Better image quality
Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Compare the D90 vs the Rebel T2i

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$499 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Better image quality
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly slower
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Lowest price Significantly more expensive
Weight Heavier
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$479 - $548 with 16mm lens
Storage slots Has more storage slots
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the Alpha NEX-3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$597 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Compare the 1 J1 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

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these cameras here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

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.