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Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
85
Imaging
60
Features
58
Overall
59
Leica TL front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Leica TL
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 384g - 134 x 69 x 33mm
  • Announced November 2016
  • Renewed by Leica TL2
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
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Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TL (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively comparable and they use the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The TL was released 5 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the TL grades versus the NEX-5N for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica TL over the Sony NEX-5N

 TL NEX-5N 
ReleasedNovember 2016October 2011More recent by 63 months
Screen sizing3.7"3"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1230k920kSharper screen (+310k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Leica TL

 NEX-5N TL 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Leica TL and Sony NEX-5N

 TL NEX-5N 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica TL features external measurements of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 384 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the TL against the NEX-5N.

Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the TL and NEX-5N is 85 and 89 respectively.

Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by going through specifications. The visual here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the TL and NEX-5N.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photos though you should always factor the age of the cameras into account. The fresher TL is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica TL as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
76
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica TL
Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
70
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
boasts touch focus
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
80
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica TL as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
55
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
58
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (460 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica TL Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography details
70
boasts touch focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
71
better than average battery life (460 CIPA)
has touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica TL
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5N
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen larger than average (3.7")
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Leica TL Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
33
has touchscreen
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic jack
33
screen is touchscreen
offers face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic port
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Leica TL vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica TL and Sony NEX-5N
 Leica TLSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model type Leica TL Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-11-08 2011-10-03
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12500 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Leica L Sony E
Available lenses 4 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3.7" 3"
Resolution of display 1,230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.50 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, off, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 384 grams (0.85 lbs) 269 grams (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") 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 400 shots 460 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC13 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $1,009 $550