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Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
63
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A7 III front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7 II
  • Updated by Sony A7 IV
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
  • Released October 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
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Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Sony A7 III versus Sony NEX-5N, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the A7 III (24MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the A7 III (Full frame) and NEX-5N (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The A7 III was brought out 6 years later than the NEX-5N and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the A7 III matches up against the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Sony NEX-5N

 A7 III NEX-5N 
ReleasedFebruary 2018October 2011More recent by 78 months
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A7 III

 NEX-5N A7 III 

Common features in the Sony A7 III and Sony NEX-5N

 A7 III NEX-5N 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7 III offers physical measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Sony A7 III versus Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the A7 III versus the NEX-5N.

Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7 III and NEX-5N is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A7 III and NEX-5N.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A7 III because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony A7 III will render greater detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent A7 III is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 III Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography info
84
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7 III Street photography details
Sony NEX-5N Street photography details
78
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
features touch to focus
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
has focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 III Sports photography features
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography features
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
great battery pack (610 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
58
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery power (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony A7 III as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
73
great battery pack (610 shots)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
features touch to focus
good resolution (24 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
better than average battery power (460 CIPA)
has focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 III Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography info
85
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
great battery pack (610 CIPA)
has double storage slots
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7 III
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
36
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
33
touchscreen
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
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Sony A7 III vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 III and Sony NEX-5N
 Sony Alpha A7 IIISony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 III Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2018-02-27 2011-10-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 852.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 693 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 922k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lbs) 269 grams (0.59 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 96 77
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 12.7
DXO Low light rating 3730 1079
Other
Battery life 610 pictures 460 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Dual 1
Cost at launch $1,998 $550