Sony
NEX-7
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-5

Sony NEX-7

97
Winner

Sony NEX-7

Reasons to buy the Sony NEX-7

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,016 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
81.0
Viewfinder
 Great viewfinder
Digital
Color depth
 Great color depth
24.1 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.4 EV
True resolution
 High true resolution
24 MP
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
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
Size
 Really small
Compact 111x59x38 mm

differences

Advantages of the Sony NEX-7
True resolution Much higher true resolution 24 MP vs 14 MP
Help
 Capture more than 70% more detail in your photos
Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Digital vs None
Help
 A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Overall image quality Better image quality 81.0 vs 69.0
Help
 Around 20% better image quality
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,016 ISO vs 796 ISO
Help
 The NEX-7 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
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 223 ms vs 441 ms
Help
 Around 50% less delay when taking photos
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 430 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 More than 30% more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 24.1 bits vs 22.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.9 more bits of color
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13.4 EV vs 12.2 EV
Help
 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 16,000 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The NEX-7's maximum light sensitivity is 0.3 f-stops better
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 10 fps vs 7 fps
Help
 More than 40% faster continuous shooting
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
Sony NEX-7 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-7

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5
Startup delay Less startup delay 1000 ms vs 1200 ms
Help
 Around 20% less delay when turning on
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $569.00 vs $1,199.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $631 cheaper (2.1x less)
Weight Lighter 287 g vs 350 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
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-7 Sony NEX-7
97 vs 80
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony NEX-7.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the NEX-7 or the NEX-5,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by lgoldz last week
Sony NEX-7 vs Sony NEX-5

I'm a beginner when it comes to photography and cameras; I'm about to go travelling and would li...
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 cherlyn-gunnell this month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-7

I am a beginner that will never be an expert.  My life is busy as a single mom and we are always...

One person recommends the Sony NEX-7:

" The Nex-7 is MUCH smaller, definitely go for it.  The Nex-7 also has some great features like fa..."
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..."
0
votes
by streetglide7 last month
Nikon D5100 vs Sony NEX-7

I coach my daughters fast pitch softball and am highly interested in taking stills and action ph...

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Screen resolution High resolution screens Help
NEX-7:921k dots
NEX-5:920k dots
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
NEX-7:13.4 EV
NEX-5:12.2 EV
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
NEX-7:81.0
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-7:1080p @ 60fps
NEX-5:1080p @ 30fps
Color depth Good color depth Help
NEX-7:24.1 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
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
NEX-7:1200 ms
NEX-5:1000 ms
Light sensitivity Very good maximum light sensitivity Help
NEX-7:16,000 ISO
NEX-5:12,800 ISO
Size Fairly small Help
Compact 111x59x38 mm
Longest exposure Short max exposure time Help
30 seconds
Lens availability Few lenses available Help
8 lenses
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Light sensitivity Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the NEX-7
Compare the NEX-5N 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-7
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Size Is slightly larger
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously while recording movies
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the NEX-7
Compare the NEX-F3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon 1 V1

Nikon 1 V1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$797 - $947 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the 1 V1 vs the NEX-7
Compare the 1 V1 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 higher quality type of viewfinder
Lens availability Much more lenses available
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the NEX-7
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Alpha NEX-5
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Viewfinder Has higher quality type of viewfinder
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the D5100 vs the NEX-7
Compare the D5100 vs the Alpha NEX-5
Canon PowerShot G1X

Canon PowerShot G1X

Boutique

$799 - $800
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the PowerShot G1X vs the NEX-7
Compare the PowerShot G1X vs the Alpha NEX-5

Sony NEX-7 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,000 - $1,299 body only

$1,100 with 14-42mm lens
Weather sealed Weather sealed
Image stabilization Image stabilization
True resolution Much lower true resolution
Supports 24p No 24p support
Compare the OM-D E-M5 vs the NEX-7
Fujifilm X-Pro1

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$2,298 body only
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen
True resolution Much lower true resolution
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Compare the X-Pro1 vs the NEX-7
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Lens availability Much more lenses available
Battery life Much longer battery life
Size Much larger
True resolution Much lower true resolution
Compare the D7000 vs the NEX-7
Sony SLT-A77

Sony SLT A77

Pro DSLR

$1,398 body only

$1,998 with 16-50mm lens
Weather sealed Weather sealed
Lens availability Much more lenses available
Startup delay Much more startup delay
Size Much larger
Compare the SLT A77 vs the NEX-7

Sony Alpha NEX-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Better image quality
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Startup delay More startup delay
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-5
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-7 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony NEX-7 Sony Alpha NEX-5

discussion

Showing 2 comments

Crabnebulae (9:55 AM, December 12, 2011)
At this level, it's pretty much pointless to upgrade (meaning: the quality of your photos will exclusively depend on your skills) unless you sacrifice portability and go for a high end reflex camera.
 
Nicola Vigio (11:41 PM, November 07, 2011)
I have the sony nex 5, should I get the NEX 7???