Updated (August, 2011): Compare the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v

67

"The HX9V is an outstanding travel compact, albeit one with a somewhat premium price tag. It’s easy to use, feels great in the hand and delivers fantastic image quality"
trustedreviews.com | talking about the DSC-HX9v's overall-performance
"Images are consistently crisp, sharp and punchy with pleasing colour and good levels of contrast."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the DSC-HX9v's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v

Screen resolution
High resolution screen
921k dots
Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
HDR
In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
3D
Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
GPS
Built-in GPS
Great for travel
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

Screen resolution
High resolution screen
920k dots
True resolution
High true resolution
14 MP
Light sensitivity
High ISO
12,800 ISO
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Sensor size
Large sensor
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
HDR
In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures

differences

Advantages of the Sony DSC-HX9v

Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
GPS Has a GPS Yes vs No
Help
Automatically geotags your photos when traveling
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
Weight Slightly lighter 245 g vs 287 g
Help
More than 10% lighter
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.3" vs 1.5"
Help
More than 10% thinner
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $319.00 vs $569.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $250 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Learn more about
the Sony DSC-HX9v

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
Sensor size Much larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm
Help
Around 13x larger sensor
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
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
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 1/1600s
Help
2.5x faster max shutter speed
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 330 shots vs 300 shots
Help
10% more shots per battery charge
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v
67 vs 54
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a travel zoom with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

Need help deciding?

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I am considering either the DSC-HX9v or the 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!

2
votes
by Alex-Jenkins last month
Sony DSC-HX9v vs Sony NEX-5

I'm a beginner who's been using an old Nikon D70 for last 7 years - in auto mode only. I want s...

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 Mark-Ballard last week
Panasonic DMC-GX1 vs Sony NEX-5

Hey everyone. I'm a pretty unexperienced amateur that currently uses a Samsung NX10 normally wit...

1
votes
by Phil-Hand last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-5

I am a bit confused. Not hard for an amateur in such a complicated field. I see that the Nikon D51...

One person recommends the Nikon D5100:

"Hi Phil, these are both great cameras. I'd recommend the Nikon D5100 because there are so many mor..."

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution Very high resolution screens Help
DSC-HX9v:921k dots
NEX-5:920k dots
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
DSC-HX9v:1080p @ 60fps
NEX-5:1080p @ 30fps
3D Both can take 3D photos, many cameras like these don't Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
HDR Both have in-camera, most cameras like these don't Help
Combines multiple exposures
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
30 seconds

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

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$339

Aperture Has a much wider aperture
Macro focus Slightly closer macro focusing
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
HDR Lacks a built in HDR feature

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V

Travel zoom

$328

Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Travel zoom

$399

Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Zoom More zoom
Wide angle Worse wide angle
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20

Panasonic Lumix ZS20

Travel zoom

$290 - $350

Touch screen Has a touch screen
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen
Battery life Slightly shorter battery life
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS

Travel zoom

$294 - $299

Supports 24p Supports 24p
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen
3D Doesn't take 3D photos
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Travel zoom

$239 - $324

Supports 24p Supports 24p
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Wide angle Significantly worse wide angle
Screen resolution Significantly lower resolution screen

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Supports 24p Supports 24p
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Startup delay More startup delay
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
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
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
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

appearance

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v Sony Alpha NEX-5

discussion

Showing 1 comments

1Who knows it (5:06 PM, October 17, 2011)
Total nonsence;) got both cameras and nex5 is sightly better.. ps: ur "fact" about fps is wrong, and camera does not go better just cos it weight a bit less or costs tinny bit less. SO IT IS SO NOT TRUE :) Nex5 FTW