Clicky

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released August 2010
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released June 2010
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5N
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Nikon S5100 versus Sony NEX-5, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the S5100 (12MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very similar but the S5100 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The S5100 was unveiled 3 months later than the NEX-5 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon S5100 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the S5100 scores against the NEX-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Sony NEX-5

 S5100 NEX-5 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon S5100

 NEX-5 S5100 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S5100 and Sony NEX-5

 S5100 NEX-5 
ReleasedAugust 2010June 2010Similar age
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon S5100 offers external dimensions of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Compare the Nikon S5100 versus Sony NEX-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the S5100 versus the NEX-5.

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the S5100 and NEX-5 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by reading a spec sheet. The photograph below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S5100 and NEX-5.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S5100 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony NEX-5 will offer extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images more aggressively.

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S5100
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Street Comparison

Nikon S5100 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5 Street photography features
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (132g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Nikon S5100 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography advice
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
52
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Travel Comparison

Nikon S5100 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography information
62
lighter than others (132g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
59
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S5100
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S5100
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
31
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (132 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Nikon S5100 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S5100 and Sony NEX-5
 Nikon Coolpix S5100Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S5100 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-08-17 2010-06-07
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed C2 Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.7-6.6 -
Macro focusing distance 2cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 grams (0.29 lbs) 287 grams (0.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL10 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $200 $599