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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Samsung GX-1L front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Samsung GX-1L
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 570g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced February 2006
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
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5N
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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Samsung GX-1L and Sony NEX-5, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the GX-1L (6MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The GX-1L was revealed 5 years prior to the NEX-5 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Samsung GX-1L being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the GX-1L matches up vs the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1L over the Sony NEX-5

 GX-1L NEX-5 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Samsung GX-1L

 NEX-5 GX-1L 
ReleasedJune 2010February 2006Fresher by 52 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k210kCrisper display (+710k dot)

Common features in the Samsung GX-1L and Sony NEX-5

 GX-1L NEX-5 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung GX-1L features external dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 570 grams (1.26 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check out the Samsung GX-1L and Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the GX-1L against the NEX-5.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the GX-1L and NEX-5 is 69 and 89 respectively.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through technical specs. The visual below should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GX-1L and NEX-5.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Sony NEX-5 to give you extra detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics more aggressively. The older GX-1L is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography advice
50
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (6MP)
72
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung GX-1L
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (570g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung GX-1L
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
52
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography features
52
lighter than competition (570g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (6 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
59
good MP (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography factors
46
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
68
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung GX-1L
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
9
lack of video recording
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-1L and Sony NEX-5
 Samsung GX-1LSony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung GX-1L Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2006-02-24 2010-06-07
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3008 x 2008 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 5 25
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 210 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.50 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 570 gr (1.26 pounds) 287 gr (0.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 69
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 796
Other
Battery life - 330 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $0 $599