Samsung DV300F vs Sony NEX-5

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Samsung DV300F versus Sony NEX-5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the DV300F (16MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the DV300F (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The DV300F was brought out 20 months after the NEX-5 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Samsung DV300F being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the DV300F scores against the NEX-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung DV300F & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The entire galleries are viewable at Samsung DV300F Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.

In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Samsung DV300F comes with external dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Examine the Samsung DV300F versus Sony NEX-5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the DV300F compared to the NEX-5.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the DV300F and NEX-5 is 96 and 89 respectively.

Generally, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The pic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the DV300F and NEX-5.

As you can see, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The DV300F featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Samsung DV300F will give more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The newer DV300F will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.