Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N
87 Imaging
43 Features
30 Overall
37


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Sony NEX-5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

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).

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.

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Sigma DP1 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The whole galleries are provided at Sigma DP1 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2011 | ![]() | May 2008 | Newer by 41 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Sigma DP1 | Sony 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 |