Canon 5D vs Sony NEX-5N
55 Imaging
55 Features
41 Overall
49


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Canon 5D vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 13MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Canon EF Mount
- 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
- Revealed November 2005
- Updated by Canon 5D MII
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Introduced October 2011
- Older Model is Sony NEX-5
- Replacement is Sony NEX-5R

Canon 5D vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Here is a extended comparison of the Canon 5D and Sony NEX-5N, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the 5D (13MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is very close but the 5D (Full frame) and NEX-5N (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

The 5D was launched 6 years prior to the NEX-5N and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon 5D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the 5D grades vs the NEX-5N in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 5D vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon EOS 5D & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The complete galleries are provided at Canon 5D Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Sony NEX-5N
5D | NEX-5N |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Canon 5D
NEX-5N | 5D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | October 2011 | ![]() | November 2005 | Fresher by 71 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+690k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon 5D and Sony NEX-5N
5D | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Canon 5D vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon 5D features outside dimensions of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon 5D and Sony NEX-5N in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the 5D compared to the NEX-5N.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 5D and NEX-5N is 55 and 89 respectively.

Canon 5D vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Often, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D and NEX-5N.
As you can see, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 5D due to its larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony NEX-5N will result in more detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The older 5D will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon 5D vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Canon EOS 5D | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon EOS 5D | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2005-11-12 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 13MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4368 x 2912 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Canon EF | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 250 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | TFT liquid-crystal color LCD | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | External | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 895g (1.97 pounds) | 269g (0.59 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 71 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.9 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.1 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 1368 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 800 images | 460 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BP-511A | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $2,780 | $550 |