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Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
76
Overall
66
Sony Alpha A7S II front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Sony A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Expand to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2015
  • Earlier Model is Sony A7S
  • Updated by Sony A7S III
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
  • Revealed October 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
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Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Sony A7S II and Sony NEX-5N, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the A7S II (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) and the A7S II (Full frame) and NEX-5N (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The A7S II was introduced 4 years later than the NEX-5N and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7S II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the A7S II grades vs the NEX-5N in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Sony NEX-5N

 A7S II NEX-5N 
RevealedOctober 2015October 2011Fresher by 49 months
Screen resolution1229k920kClearer screen (+309k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A7S II

 NEX-5N A7S II 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A7S II and Sony NEX-5N

 A7S II NEX-5N 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7S II provides outside measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") with a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A7S II and Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the A7S II against the NEX-5N.

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A7S II and NEX-5N is 68 and 89 respectively.

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The graphic here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A7S II and NEX-5N.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A7S II using its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony NEX-5N will offer extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher A7S II will have an edge in sensor tech.

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7S II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
68
you can focus manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7S II Street photography features
Sony NEX-5N Street photography features
78
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good high ISO (102,400)
80
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7S II as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
57
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (370 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
58
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery life (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7S II Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography factors
49
environment proofing
terrible battery power (370 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
70
great battery life (460 CIPA)
includes focus via touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A7S II
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5N
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery power (370 per charge)
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7S II as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
35
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
33
has touchscreen
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic support
Photography Glossary

Sony A7S II vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7S II and Sony NEX-5N
 Sony Alpha A7S IISony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7S II Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2015-10-12 2011-10-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz X Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4240 x 2832 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 102400 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 409600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 169 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Sony E
Number of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,229k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
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
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps]) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 627g (1.38 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 85 77
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 12.7
DXO Low light rating 2993 1079
Other
Battery life 370 photos 460 photos
Battery style 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 feature 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
Launch price $2,767 $550