Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N
78 Imaging
74 Features
76 Overall
74


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Revealed February 2014
- Replacement is Sony A7R II
(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
- Old Model is Sony NEX-5
- Replacement is Sony NEX-5R

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
Following is a thorough analysis of the Sony A7R versus Sony NEX-5N, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the A7R (36MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the A7R (Full frame) and NEX-5N (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

The A7R was released 2 years after the NEX-5N which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the A7R scores vs the NEX-5N when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha A7R & Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The complete galleries are viewable at Sony A7R Gallery & Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Sony NEX-5N
A7R | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2014 | ![]() | October 2011 | More modern by 29 months |
Screen resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper screen (+310k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A7R
NEX-5N | A7R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Sony A7R and Sony NEX-5N
A7R | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A7R comes with external dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Contrast the Sony A7R versus Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the A7R vs the NEX-5N.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7R and NEX-5N is 78 and 89 respectively.

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through technical specs. The image below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7R and NEX-5N.
As you can tell, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A7R due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony A7R will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 20MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher A7R is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Sony Alpha A7R | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha A7R | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2014-02-13 | 2011-10-03 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Bionz X | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 121 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,230k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | Xtra Fine LCD | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,359k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.71x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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 support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 465g (1.03 lb) | 269g (0.59 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 95 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | 25.6 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.1 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 2746 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 340 photos | 460 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 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 recording | With downloadable app | |
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 | One | One |
Launch cost | $1,898 | $550 |