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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-11 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Olympus SZ-11
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Introduced July 2011
Sony NEX-5N
(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
  • Revealed October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-11 (14MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly well matched but the SZ-11 (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-11 was unveiled 2 months before the NEX-5N so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SZ-11 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SZ-11 matches up against the NEX-5N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-11 over the Sony NEX-5N

 SZ-11 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Olympus SZ-11

 NEX-5N SZ-11 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-11 and Sony NEX-5N

 SZ-11 NEX-5N 
RevealedJuly 2011October 2011Similar generation
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-11 offers physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 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).

Examine the Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-11 compared to the NEX-5N.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-11 and NEX-5N is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through specifications. The visual underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-11 and NEX-5N.

Plainly, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ-11 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony NEX-5N will resolve greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5N Street photography features
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
80
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography information
43
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14MP)
includes tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
58
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography highlights
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
good battery power (460 shots)
offers touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-11 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography advice
40
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (460 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-11
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
33
has touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of microphone port
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Olympus SZ-11 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-11 and Sony NEX-5N
 Olympus SZ-11Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-11 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-07-27 2011-10-03
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m (@ ISO 1600) 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 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 200 pictures 460 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $253 $550