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Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
51
Overall
43
Samsung WB850F front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Samsung WB850F
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 109 x 62 x 25mm
  • Released January 2012
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
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5R
Photography Glossary

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WB850F (16MP) and the NEX-5N (16MP) is relatively similar but the WB850F (1/2.3") and NEX-5N (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

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The WB850F was manufactured 4 months after the NEX-5N and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Samsung WB850F being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the WB850F scores versus the NEX-5N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung WB850F over the Sony NEX-5N

 WB850F NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Samsung WB850F

 NEX-5N WB850F 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k614kCrisper screen (+306k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Samsung WB850F and Sony NEX-5N

 WB850F NEX-5N 
IntroducedJanuary 2012October 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Samsung WB850F has got outer measurements of 109mm x 62mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.0") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the WB850F compared to the NEX-5N.

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WB850F and NEX-5N is 91 and 89 respectively.

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The image underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the WB850F and NEX-5N.

To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The WB850F includes the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging.

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung WB850F as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
43
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung WB850F Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Street photography factors
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Samsung WB850F Sports photography features
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography features
52
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
58
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung WB850F Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competition in class (250g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (23mm)
great zoom (483mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
better than average battery life (460 shots)
offers focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung WB850F
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5N
49
manual focus
relatively wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
71
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung WB850F as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone jack
33
touchscreen capability
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone port
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Samsung WB850F vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung WB850F and Sony NEX-5N
 Samsung WB850FSony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung WB850F Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-09 2011-10-03
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 614 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech AMOLED display Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 gr (0.55 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 62 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.0") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 77
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-10A NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $599 $550