Nikon Coolpix
P100
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

Updated (August, 2011): Compare the Nikon Coolpix P500 vs Sony NEX-5N

Nikon Coolpix P100

67
"Materials, fit, and finish are typical for the class and price point."
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the P100's build-quality
"The P100 is definitely the current big deal in Nikon's Coolpix performance line."
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the P100's overall-performance

Reasons to buy the Nikon Coolpix P100

Aperture
 Wide aperture
f/2.8
High-speed framerate
 High speed movies
240 fps
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Viewfinder
 Great viewfinder
Digital
Built-in flash
 Built-in flash
Usually standard
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
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
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions

differences

Advantages of the Nikon P100
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
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 10 fps vs 7 fps
Help
 More than 40% faster continuous shooting
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Digital vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 190 ms vs 441 ms
Help
 2.3x less delay when taking photos
Nikon Coolpix P100 Learn more about
the Nikon P100

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5
Size Significantly smaller 111x59x38 mm vs 114x83x99 mm
Help
 3.8x smaller
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 14 MP vs 9.8 MP
Help
 Capture more than 40% more detail in your photos
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
 Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Thickness Much thinner 1.5" vs 3.9"
Help
 2.6x thinner
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
 Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Weight Lighter 287 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 Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon Coolpix P100 Nikon Coolpix P100
67 vs 54
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon Coolpix P100. 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.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

NikonCoolpix P100
 Nikon Coolpix P100 vs Sony Alpha NEX-5
SonyAlpha NEX-5
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
0
2
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
0
2
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
0
1
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
0
1
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
0
1
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
0
1
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 flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
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 D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D3100 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the D3100 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
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the D5100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon PowerShot G12

Canon PowerShot G12

Pro digicam

$389 - $500
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX100v

Super zoom

$428
Zoom Has slightly more zoom
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Coolpix P100
Compare the Cybershot DSC-HX100v vs the Alpha NEX-5

Nikon Coolpix P100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$339 - $350
Zoom Much more zoom
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Size Slightly larger
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the Coolpix P100
Nikon Coolpix L120

Nikon Coolpix L120

Super zoom

$227 - $230
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Size Smaller
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the Coolpix L120 vs the Coolpix P100
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Super zoom

$420
Zoom Much more zoom
Wide angle Better wide angle
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Compare the PowerShot SX30 IS vs the Coolpix P100
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

Super zoom

$355
Image stabilization Better image stabilization
Size Slightly smaller
Zoom Less zoom
High-speed framerate Doesn't record high-speed movies
Compare the Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 vs the Coolpix P100
Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

Super zoom

$496
High-speed framerate Higher speed movies
Zoom More zoom
Size Significantly larger
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen
Compare the FinePix HS10 vs the Coolpix P100

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$599 - $600 body only

$698 - $699 with 18-55mm lens
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Startup delay Significantly more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-5
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 Slightly 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
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$499 - $949 body only

$579 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Size Significantly larger
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the Alpha NEX-5

appearance

Nikon Coolpix P100 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Nikon Coolpix P100 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Nikon Coolpix P100 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 1 comments

Sajmmu (10:27 AM, March 14, 2011)
if cost is not the constraint, sony nex 5 is better that nikon p100