Samsung Galaxy Camera vs Sony NEX-5N

On this page, we are evaluating the Samsung Galaxy Camera and Sony NEX-5N, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the Galaxy Camera (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is fairly comparable but the Galaxy Camera (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The Galaxy Camera was brought out 17 months after the NEX-5N making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung Galaxy Camera being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief view of how the Galaxy Camera grades against the NEX-5N for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung Galaxy Camera and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The entire galleries are available at Samsung Galaxy Camera Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung Galaxy Camera enjoys outside measurements of 129mm x 71mm x 19mm (5.1" x 2.8" x 0.7") having a weight of 300 grams (0.66 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung Galaxy Camera and Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the Galaxy Camera compared to the NEX-5N.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the Galaxy Camera and NEX-5N is 90 and 89 respectively.

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The image below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Galaxy Camera and NEX-5N.

Clearly, both the cameras provide the same MP but different sensor dimensions. The Galaxy Camera uses the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF more difficult. The fresher Galaxy Camera provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.