Updated (February, 2012): Compare the Nikon Coolpix P510 vs Sony NEX-5N

Nikon Coolpix P500

68

"doubles up as an effective video camera thanks to its excellent video mode."
photographyblog.com | talking about the P500's video-quality
"This feature really does seem to make a difference and could mean capturing a successful, sharp shot or missing the opportunity altogether."
photographyblog.com | talking about the P500's image-stabilization

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P500

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Viewfinder
Great viewfinder
Digital
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
Usually standard
Sony NEX-5N

67

Reasons to buy the Sony NEX-5N

Size
Really small
Compact 111x59x38 mm
True resolution
High true resolution
16 MP
Light sensitivity
High ISO
25,600 ISO
Touch screen
Touch screen
Less buttons
Supports 24p
24p movies
For that film look
Sensor size
Large sensor
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm

differences

Advantages of the Nikon P500

Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies 240 fps vs None
Help
Capture events too fast for the naked eye and play them back in super-slow motion
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 Digital vs None
Help
A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $299.99 vs $598.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $298 cheaper (around 50% less)
Nikon Coolpix P500 Learn more about
the Nikon P500

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5N

Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 25,600 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The NEX-5N's maximum light sensitivity is 3 f-stops better
Size Significantly smaller 111x59x38 mm vs 116x84x103 mm
Help
4x smaller
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
Get that real film feel
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
True resolution Much higher true resolution 16 MP vs 9.7 MP
Help
Capture more than 60% more detail in your photos
Sensor size Much larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm
Help
Around 13x larger sensor
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Thickness Much thinner 1.5" vs 4.1"
Help
2.7x thinner
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Battery life Longer battery life 460 shots vs 220 shots
Help
More than 2x more shots per battery charge
Weight Lighter 269 g vs 481 g
Help
More than 40% lighter
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Longest exposure Longer exposures 30s vs 8s
Help
Around 4x longer exposures
Sony NEX-5N Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5N
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon Coolpix P500 Nikon Coolpix P500
68 vs 67
Explain scores
Sony NEX-5N Sony NEX-5N
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a super zoom with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

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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 ..."

0
votes
by 11111111111111111 last month
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5

Hello, I need some advice. I am deciding between the two cameras. The frst one is Sony NEX 5...

0
votes
by Ali-Elhami last month
Nikon P500 vs Nikon P100

i wana use it in my travels and in parties, so i do not use it in profetional ways. i travel ...

0
votes
by Con-Graves 4 days ago
Canon 600D vs Sony NEX-5N

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

0
votes
by Prakash-Vora last month
Sony DSC-HX100v vs Sony NEX-5N

I AM NOT AN EXPERT PHOTOGRAPHER - SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN A BEGINNER - USED TO NON-SLR DIGITAL CAME...

One person recommends the Sony NEX-5N:

" The Sony NEX-5N is the better camera, but it also doesn't come with a built in flash, which some..."

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution Very high resolution screens Help
920k dots
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
P500:1080p @ 30fps
NEX-5N:1080p @ 60fps
Continuous shooting Fast continuous shooting Help
10 fps
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Lens availability Much more lenses available
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier

Nikon Coolpix P500 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$347 - $380

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510

Super zoom

$397 - $400

Zoom Significantly more zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Continuous shooting Shoots slower
Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Super zoom

$438 - $500

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
3D Takes 3D photos
Zoom Significantly less zoom
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$409

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
GPS Has a GPS
Zoom Significantly less zoom
Wide angle Significantly worse wide angle
Fujifilm FinePix HS20 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS20

Super zoom

$299 - $335

Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera
Zoom Significantly less zoom
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen

Sony NEX-5N Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,200 body only

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

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Touch screen No touch screen
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
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

Nikon Coolpix P500 Sony NEX-5N
Nikon Coolpix P500 Sony NEX-5N
Nikon Coolpix P500 Sony NEX-5N

discussion

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