Samsung NX1000 vs Sony NEX-5

Below is a in-depth overview of the Samsung NX1000 and Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Samsung and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the NX1000 (20MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The NX1000 was revealed 23 months later than the NEX-5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the NX1000 scores versus the NEX-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung NX1000 & Sony Alpha NEX-5. The full galleries are provided at Samsung NX1000 Gallery & Sony NEX-5 Gallery.

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Samsung NX1000 provides exterior measurements of 114mm x 63mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Look at the Samsung NX1000 and Sony NEX-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the NX1000 against the NEX-5.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the NX1000 and NEX-5 is 90 and 89 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking specs. The visual underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the NX1000 and NEX-5.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Samsung NX1000 to resolve extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent NX1000 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.