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Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
87
Imaging
43
Features
30
Overall
37
Sigma DP1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Sigma DP1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • No Video
  • 28mm (F) lens
  • 270g - 113 x 60 x 50mm
  • Launched May 2008
  • Newer Model is Sigma DP1s
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
  • Launched October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
Photography Glossary

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Lets look much closer at the Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Sigma and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the DP1 (5MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The DP1 was introduced 4 years before the NEX-5N which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sigma DP1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the DP1 matches up versus the NEX-5N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 over the Sony NEX-5N

 DP1 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sigma DP1

 NEX-5N DP1 
LaunchedOctober 2011May 2008Newer by 41 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sigma DP1 and Sony NEX-5N

 DP1 NEX-5N 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sigma DP1 has physical measurements of 113mm x 60mm x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the DP1 and the NEX-5N.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the DP1 and NEX-5N is 87 and 89 respectively.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by going over a spec sheet. The image below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the DP1 and NEX-5N.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony NEX-5N to deliver greater detail using its extra 11MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged DP1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography highlights
55
focusing manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sigma DP1
Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
64
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (270g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (800)
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP1 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
31
sensor size is good (APS-C)
can't change focal length (28mm)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
does not have phase detect auto focus
58
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than average (270 grams)
has built in flash
very good max aperture (f)
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
better than average battery (460 CIPA)
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma DP1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
44
focusing manually
very good max aperture (f)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
low maximum ISO (800)
does not have Time Lapse mode
71
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
9
lack of video recording
33
touchscreen capability
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
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Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP1 and Sony NEX-5N
 Sigma DP1Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Company Sigma Sony
Model type Sigma DP1 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-05-19 2011-10-03
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 2640 x 1760 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
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)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 270g (0.60 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 60 x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (10 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
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $566 $550