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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Samsung GX-1L front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5N 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
  • Released February 2006
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
  • Announced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Samsung GX-1L and Sony NEX-5N, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the GX-1L (6MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The GX-1L was released 6 years earlier than the NEX-5N and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Samsung GX-1L being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the GX-1L matches up versus the NEX-5N with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 GX-1L NEX-5N 

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

 NEX-5N GX-1L 
AnnouncedOctober 2011February 2006More recent by 68 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k210kClearer screen (+710k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 GX-1L NEX-5N 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

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

If you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Samsung GX-1L has external measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 570 grams (1.26 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Samsung GX-1L and Sony NEX-5N in our newest 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 are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the GX-1L vs the NEX-5N.

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

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GX-1L and NEX-5N is 69 and 89 respectively.

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

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

More often than not, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GX-1L and NEX-5N.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony NEX-5N to resolve more detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The older GX-1L is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography highlights
50
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
73
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung GX-1L as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (570 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports touch focus
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography information
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
58
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery power (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography information
52
lighter than competition in class (570 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
better than average battery power (460 shots)
supports touch focus
good resolution (16MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-1L as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
71
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (460 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
9
no video
33
touchscreen capability
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-1L and Sony NEX-5N
 Samsung GX-1LSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung GX-1L Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2006-02-24 2011-10-03
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3008 x 2008 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 5 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF Sony E
Number of lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 210k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 570g (1.26 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
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 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 pictures
Battery format - 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
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $0 $550