Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N
82 Imaging
68 Features
58 Overall
64


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 50000
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Leica L Mount
- 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
- Released November 2017
(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
- Announced October 2011
- Superseded the Sony NEX-5
- Updated by Sony NEX-5R

Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the CL (24MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

The CL was manufactured 6 years later than the NEX-5N and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the CL grades versus the NEX-5N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica CL & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The entire galleries are viewable at Leica CL Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Sony NEX-5N
CL | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2017 | ![]() | October 2011 | More recent by 75 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+120k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Leica CL
NEX-5N | CL | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Leica CL and Sony NEX-5N
CL | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica CL provides outer dimensions of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") with a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
See the Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the CL against the NEX-5N.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the CL and NEX-5N is 82 and 89 respectively.

Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the CL and NEX-5N.
Clearly, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Leica CL to give extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern CL will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Leica CL | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Leica | Sony |
Model type | Leica CL | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2017-11-21 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Maestro II | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 370.5mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6014 x 4014 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 50000 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 49 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Leica L | Sony E |
Available lenses | 30 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 1,040k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Max silent shutter speed | 1/25000 seconds | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | Yes | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 403g (0.89 lbs) | 269g (0.59 lbs) |
Dimensions | 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 77 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.7 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photographs | 460 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BP-DC12 | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $3,799 | $550 |