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Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus SH-50 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Olympus SH-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced January 2013
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
  • Revealed October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Let's look closer at the Olympus SH-50 versus Sony NEX-5N, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is pretty similar but the SH-50 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

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The SH-50 was manufactured 16 months after the NEX-5N which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SH-50 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the SH-50 grades versus the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Sony NEX-5N

 SH-50 NEX-5N 
RevealedJanuary 2013October 2011Newer by 16 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus SH-50

 NEX-5N SH-50 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Sony NEX-5N

 SH-50 NEX-5N 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-50 features exterior measurements of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and 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).

See the Olympus SH-50 versus Sony NEX-5N in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SH-50 against the NEX-5N.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-50 and NEX-5N is 88 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The pic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-50 and NEX-5N.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The SH-50 includes the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging. The newer SH-50 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
44
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-50
Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than others in class (269 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-50 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
48
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
58
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography features
69
lighter than others in class (269g)
provides focus by touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
great battery (460 shots)
boasts touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography advice
49
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (269g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
33
touchscreen enabled
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic port
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Olympus SH-50 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-50 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus SH-50Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SH-50 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-01-08 2011-10-03
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269g (0.59 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 460 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $300 $550