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Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
78
Imaging
69
Features
80
Overall
73
Sony Alpha A7 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
76
Overall
64

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Successor is Sony A7 II
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Below, we are matching up the Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both produced by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the A7 (24MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the A7 (Full frame) and NEX-5R (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The A7 was manufactured 18 months after the NEX-5R making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the A7 grades versus the NEX-5R with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Sony NEX-5R

 A7 NEX-5R 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014August 2012More modern by 18 months
Display resolution1230k920kSharper display (+310k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony A7

 NEX-5R A7 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A7 and Sony NEX-5R

 A7 NEX-5R 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Sony A7 enjoys outer measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Compare the Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the A7 versus the NEX-5R.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A7 and NEX-5R is 78 and 89 respectively.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A7 and NEX-5R.

All in all, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A7 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony A7 will result in extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The fresher A7 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography information
81
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A7
Street photography with Sony NEX-5R
79
has a tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than average (474 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
80
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography advice
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (340 shots)
68
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography advice
69
lighter than average (474g)
environment sealing
decent megapixels (24MP)
not so great battery life (340 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
73
offers focus by touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony A7 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography factors
75
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (340 CIPA)
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging information
35
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone jack
lighter than average (474 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
31
touchscreen enabled
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Sony A7 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7 and Sony NEX-5R
 Sony Alpha A7Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-01-22 2012-08-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.8 x 23.9mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 117 99
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Total lenses 121 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology Xtra Fine LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 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 474g (1.04 pounds) 276g (0.61 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 90 78
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.2 13.1
DXO Low light rating 2248 910
Other
Battery life 340 shots 330 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FW50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $798 $750