Updated (August, 2011): Compare the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5

54

"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
Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
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
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

48

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
HDR
In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Lens availability
Slightly more lenses available
92 lenses
Viewfinder
Great viewfinder
Pentamirror
Storage slots
More storage slots
2

differences

Advantages of the Sony DSLR-A550

Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 92 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
11.5x more lenses available
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
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 Pentamirror vs None
Help
A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Learn more about
the Sony DSLR-A550

Advantages of the Sony NEX-5

Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Size Much smaller 111x59x38 mm vs 137x104x84 mm
Help
4.8x smaller
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
Thickness Significantly thinner 1.5" vs 3.3"
Help
2.2x thinner
Weight Significantly lighter 287 g vs 632 g
Help
2.2x lighter
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 69.0 vs 66.0
Help
Almost the same
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 11.8 EV
Help
0.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 22.2 bits vs 21.9 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.3 more bits of color
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
48 vs 54
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-5. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the DSLR-A550 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!

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...

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
DSLR-A550:921k dots
NEX-5:920k dots
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Sensor size Very large sensors Help
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
Light sensitivity Extremely good maximum light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
HDR Both have in-camera, most cameras like these don't Help
Combines multiple exposures
True resolution Capture very high resolution images Help
14 MP
Interchangeable lenses Both support interchangeable lenses, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these Help
Many lenses to choose from
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
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

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Autofocus Focuses automatically while shootting video
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is significantly heavier
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 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
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens

Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is much heavier

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Entry-level DSLR

$949 with 55-200mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Autofocus Faster autofocus
Sony SLT-A55

Sony SLT-A55

Entry-level DSLR

$598 body only

$729 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Autofocus Video autofocus
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots
Viewfinder Has a digital viewfinder
Pentax K-r

Pentax K-r

Entry-level DSLR

$631 - $649 with 18-55mm lens

Autofocus Faster autofocus
Movie format Shoots movies
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Storage slots Has fewer storage slots

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 Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Sony Alpha NEX-5

discussion

Showing 0 comments