Clicky

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
54
Imaging
79
Features
84
Overall
81
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Panasonic S1R
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1020g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Introduced February 2019
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
  • Launched October 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic S1R and Sony NEX-5N, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the S1R (47MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the S1R (Full frame) and NEX-5N (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The S1R was released 7 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S1R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the S1R grades versus the NEX-5N in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1R over the Sony NEX-5N

 S1R NEX-5N 
LaunchedFebruary 2019October 2011Fresher by 90 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k920kClearer display (+1180k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Panasonic S1R

 NEX-5N S1R 

Common features in the Panasonic S1R and Sony NEX-5N

 S1R NEX-5N 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S1R provides physical dimensions of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 1020 grams (2.25 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S1R and Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the S1R and the NEX-5N.

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1R and NEX-5N is 54 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing technical specs. The visual here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S1R and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S1R because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic S1R will show extra detail as a result of its extra 31 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The newer S1R is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1R Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography details
87
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/320s)
great sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
73
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1R
Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
71
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
features touch to focus
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than others in class (1,020g)
80
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1R as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
terrible battery (360 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
58
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery power (460 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1R
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
60
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch to focus
great sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
terrible battery (360 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (1,020g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
70
good battery power (460 per charge)
offers focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1R Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography advice
82
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (47MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
terrible battery (360 shots)
71
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1R Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
32
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (1,020g)
33
touchscreen
includes face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic S1R vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1R and Sony NEX-5N
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2019-02-01 2011-10-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 47 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 8000 x 6000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 225 25
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony E
Amount of lenses 30 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,100k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 9.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/320 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, 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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1020 grams (2.25 lbs) 269 grams (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 100 77
DXO Color Depth rating 26.4 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 12.7
DXO Low light rating 3525 1079
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 460 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 Single
Launch price $3,698 $550