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Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
69
Overall
61

Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Revealed March 2014
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
  • Announced October 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Samsung NX mini versus Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the NX mini (1") and NEX-5N (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The NX mini was manufactured 2 years later than the NEX-5N and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the NX mini scores vs the NEX-5N in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony NEX-5N

 NX mini NEX-5N 
AnnouncedMarch 2014October 2011Fresher by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Samsung NX mini

 NEX-5N NX mini 
Display resolution920k461kCrisper display (+459k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony NEX-5N

 NX mini NEX-5N 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Samsung NX mini offers exterior dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Samsung NX mini versus Sony NEX-5N in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the NX mini against the NEX-5N.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX mini and NEX-5N is 93 and 89 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the NX mini and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The NX mini featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Samsung NX mini will resolve extra detail due to its extra 4.5MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The fresher NX mini should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography features
71
focusing manually
MP count good (20.5MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX mini
Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
81
tilting screen
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
lighter than others (196 grams)
no image stabilization
80
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
boasts touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
54
high shutter speed (1/16,000s)
MP count good (20.5 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
58
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (460 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography factors
76
good battery pack (650 per charge)
lighter than others (196 grams)
supports focus by touch
MP count good (20.5MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
71
great battery (460 per charge)
boasts touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography highlights
68
focusing manually
switch lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (20.5 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
no image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
71
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
great battery (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung NX mini
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
38
touch screen
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
lighter than others (196g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
33
has touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic jack
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony NEX-5N
 Samsung NX miniSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung NX mini Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-03-19 2011-10-03
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 21 25
Lens
Lens mount Samsung NX-M Sony E
Amount of lenses 2 121
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 461k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash modes Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 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 196 gr (0.43 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 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 650 pictures 460 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model B740 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $530 $550