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Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74
Sony Alpha A7R front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Sony A7R
(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
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
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
Photography Glossary

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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Sony NEX-5N

 A7R NEX-5N 
ReleasedFebruary 2014October 2011More modern by 29 months
Screen resolution1230k920kCrisper 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 typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography details
84
focusing manually
high MP (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
lighter than average in class (465g)
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
80
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A7R
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
high MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proof
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (340 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
58
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery life (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography information
70
lighter than average in class (465 grams)
environment proof
high MP (36 megapixels)
low battery life (340 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
better than average battery life (460 per charge)
boasts focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R Landscape photography info
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography info
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
high MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (340 CIPA)
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7R
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
36
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
lighter than average in class (465 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
33
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic support
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Sony A7R vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R and Sony NEX-5N
 Sony Alpha A7RSony 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