Sony
NEX-5N
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

Sony NEX-5N

100
Winner

Sony NEX-5N

Reasons to buy the Sony NEX-5N

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,079 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
77.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.6 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.7 EV
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
25,600 ISO
Touch screen
 Touch screen
Less buttons
Sony Alpha NEX-5

80
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

Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
1000 ms startup delay
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
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses

differences

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5N
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,079 ISO vs 796 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5N has a slight edge (0.4 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
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
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 25,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The NEX-5N's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Overall image quality Better image quality 77.0 vs 69.0
Help
 More than 10% better image quality
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 460 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 Around 40% more shots per battery charge
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 235 ms vs 441 ms
Help
 Around 50% less delay when taking photos
Color depth Better color depth 23.6 bits vs 22.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.4 more bits of color
True resolution Higher true resolution 16 MP vs 14 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.7 EV vs 12.2 EV
Help
 0.5 f-stops more dynamic range
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 10 fps vs 7 fps
Help
 More than 40% faster continuous shooting
Weight Slightly lighter 269 g vs 287 g
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Sony NEX-5N Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5N

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5
Startup delay Much less startup delay 1000 ms vs 1900 ms
Help
 Around 50% less delay when turning on
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Sony NEX-5N Sony NEX-5N
100 vs 80
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony NEX-5N.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the NEX-5N 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!
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...
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 Magdalene-Linda last month
Panasonic DMC-GX1 vs Sony NEX-5N

I am taking photos of bags in a light tent with two 5500k lights at the side. I need the photos ...

One person recommends the Sony NEX-5N:

" The Sony has a much larger image sensor, which will give you better quality images. If your lig..."
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...

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
920k dots
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
NEX-5N:12.7 EV
NEX-5:12.2 EV
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
NEX-5N:77.0
NEX-5:69.0
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
HDR Both have in-camera, most cameras like these don't Help
Combines multiple exposures
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
NEX-5N:1080p @ 60fps
NEX-5:1080p @ 30fps
Color depth Good color depth Help
NEX-5N:23.6 bits
NEX-5:22.2 bits
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
NEX-5N:25,600 ISO
NEX-5:12,800 ISO
Size Fairly small Help
Compact 111x59x38 mm
Weight Light weight Help
NEX-5N:269 g
NEX-5:287 g
Built-in flash No built-in flash Help
Professional
Longest exposure Short max exposure time Help
30 seconds
Lens availability Few lenses available Help
8 lenses
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-7

Sony NEX-7

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,200 body only

$1,350 - $1,499 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the NEX-7 vs the NEX-5N
Compare the NEX-7 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sensor size Has a significantly smaller sensor
Compare the 1 J1 vs the NEX-5N
Compare the 1 J1 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
Built-in flash Has a built-in flash
Size Is slightly larger
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously while recording movies
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the NEX-5N
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens
Thickness Is thinner
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Compare the NEX C3 vs the NEX-5N
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
Startup delay Has significantly less startup delay
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the NEX-5N
Compare the D5100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the NEX-5N
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 V1

Nikon 1 V1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$797 - $947 with 10-30mm lens
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the 1 V1 vs the NEX-5N
Compare the 1 V1 vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony NEX-5N Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Sony NEX-5N.

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

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

appearance

Sony NEX-5N Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-5N Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-5N Sony Alpha NEX-5

discussion

Showing 10 comments

Jamie (11:45 AM, April 25, 2012)
I am taking photos of bags in a light tent with two 5500k lights at the side. I need the photos to be similar to this quality: 
http://www.yoogiscloset.com/images/product/large/22278.jpg
Any help with deciding would be appreciated, the choices are not limited to these two models but a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. 
 
Ppm1978 (4:29 AM, February 01, 2012)
I want to bay a mirrorless camera please telmy wich 1 its bether thanks
 
Lanson Chua (4:04 PM, September 28, 2011)
Sahiljohnian, I am equally as undecided as you. I am dead fuzzy about committing one. I have been reading several websites and making comparisons over & over again. Specs for specs, features for features. I still find that NEX-5N price is value for money at this new launching stage. My local shops are selling USD1000 with 2 lenses. I have a high budget & I might be considering the NEX-7 when it is available to us in November. Maybe not or maybe I am sold for its excellent package.

What is holding me back is my very dislike for the Sony lenses for these NEX models. They look horrible  in proportion to its body and defeats my purpose of wanting a unit reasonably sized CSC. Two of my friends got themselves a NEX-5N & they have no complain of anything other than the lopsided weight they feel when carrying & holding it in hand. Just awkward. 

I dont know, I just feel very reluctant to get one for now even though all aspects are fine. Really. If you dont mind what I mind then it is a fine one. The clicking sound has come to the attention of Sony & I think it is a rectifiable small problem.
 
Sahiljohnian (3:20 PM, September 28, 2011)
with the click sound in sony nex 5n which wud u say is better??other sites say sony nex is better in most ways..and the pricee difference isn't as much as they say here..kindly help me on this
 
Lanson Chua (2:02 PM, September 06, 2011)
Can someone enlighten me as to what it means `Professional` in the common weakness comments for both nex-5 & nex-5N without a build-in-flash. I love these 2 models but I cant make up my mind for which they are without a flash & an image stabilization. Are these two features very important? Do they mean a bad buy for a newbie like me? Kindly advise. Thanks.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (6:14 PM, August 26, 2011)
Our mistake, we've fixed up the specs, thanks, you're right the Nex-5N does have continuous video focus.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (6:13 PM, August 26, 2011)
Thanks D D, we've fixed up the size and weight!
 
Guest (9:55 AM, August 26, 2011)
On http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/nex-compact-camera-system/range/nex-5n at the bottom of the page you can find information concerning movie continuous focus - "Keep moving video subjects crisp and clear with tracking autofocus". Is nex 5n camera really without this feature?
 
D D (8:41 AM, August 26, 2011)
I checked the weight and dimensions and they are exactly the same in case of size and the body should be even lighter than the previous nex 5...
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:44 PM, August 24, 2011)
Our mistake, we got those reversed, we'll have them updated shortly, thanks!