Sony A9 II vs Sony NEX-5N: A Thorough Comparison for Every Photographer's Needs

Choosing the right camera can be a pivotal decision for photography enthusiasts and professionals alike - balancing technological precision, ergonomic comfort, and budgetary considerations. In this detailed comparison between the Sony Alpha A9 Mark II (A9 II) and the Sony NEX-5N, we examine their real-world capabilities across diverse photographic disciplines, from portraiture to wildlife, and delve deep into technical attributes shaped by the eight-year gap between these two Sony mirrorless bodies. This article offers an authoritative, experience-driven analysis to help navigate the choice between a seasoned professional workhorse and a legacy entry-level mirrorless for enthusiasts.

Size and ergonomics both reflect the cameras’ intended user base - the robust A9 II versus compact, lightweight NEX-5N.

Setting the Stage: Outline and Key Differences

The Sony A9 II, introduced in 2019, is a flagship-level, SLR-style full-frame mirrorless camera tailored to professionals demanding speed, durability, and comprehensive features. It features a 24MP BSI-CMOS sensor, a blazing-fast 20 fps burst rate, and sophisticated autofocus that’s become a staple in sports and wildlife photography.

In contrast, the Sony NEX-5N, launched in 2011 as an entry-level mirrorless model, sports an APS-C sensor with a 16MP resolution, an approachable size, and modest specs suited toward beginners and casual users looking for solid image quality in a small package.

These cameras embody distinct generations and market positions but share the Sony E-mount system, ensuring lens compatibility across a rich ecosystem. Our evaluation proceeds from sensor and image quality to build and usability, advancing through core photography genres, video features, and concluding with value-based recommendations.

Sensor and Image Quality: Balancing Resolution, Sensitivity, and Technology

The sensor truly defines imaging prowess. The A9 II offers a full-frame 24MP BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 35.6x23.8mm, yielding a significant sensor area advantage of 847.28mm² against the NEX-5N’s APS-C 16MP CMOS sensor sized 23.4x15.6mm with a 365.04mm² area - less than half that of the A9 II. This full-frame sensor translates into better light-gathering capacity, improved dynamic range, and lower noise floor, especially critical in low-light or high-contrast scenarios.

While the NEX-5N provides respectable 16MP resolution sufficient for casual prints and social sharing, the A9 II’s 24MP resolution balances high detail capture with manageable file sizes and fast processing, ideal for professional workflows.

The A9 II supports an impressive native ISO range of 100–51200, expandable to ISO 50–204800, leveraging the BSI sensor’s backside illumination to maintain impressive detail at high sensitivities important for night, sports, and wildlife photography. The older NEX-5N, while no slouch, maxes out at ISO 25600 with inherently higher noise levels due to smaller pixel pitch and dated sensor tech.

In technical testing (albeit DXO Mark scores for A9 II are unavailable directly), the NEX-5N historically scored an overall DXO Mark of 77, with notable color depth (23.6 bits) and dynamic range (12.7 EV stops) for its era. In modern contexts, the A9 II’s sensor and processor combination far outpace these figures, delivering richer color fidelity, smoother tonal gradation, and nuanced shadow detail that elevate image quality across all conditions.

For portrait and landscape photographers demanding top-tier imagery with fine gradations, the A9 II stands out. However, casual shooters and enthusiasts valuing portability with still excellent quality benefit well from the NEX-5N’s APS-C sensor.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Intelligent Tracking

Autofocus (AF) considerations are decisive, especially in genres like sports, wildlife, and street photography:

• Sony A9 II: Features an advanced hybrid AF system with 693 phase-detect AF points covering a large portion of the frame, coupled with eye and animal eye detection, live tracking, and continuous AF modes refined for high-speed subject acquisition. This AF system supports reliable, near-instant focus lock, even on erratically moving subjects, and excels in low-light and challenging environments.

• Sony NEX-5N: Employs a primitive contrast-detection AF system with 25 focus points, lacking phase-detection capabilities or sophisticated tracking algorithms. While dependable for static subjects or controlled conditions, it struggles with moving subjects, resulting in slower, sometimes hunting AF performance.

In practical application, the A9 II’s autofocus speed and accuracy are industry-leading - delivering confidence for critical action shots and demanding scenes - contrasted with the NEX-5N’s fit for static subjects and beginner use cases where AF performance is less critical.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Ergonomics: Professional Durability vs Lightweight Portability

Physically, these two cameras exude their intended roles:

• The A9 II impresses with a robust, SLR-style magnesium alloy body, thorough environmental sealing against dust and moisture, and a heftier weight of 678 grams. Its ergonomic grip, high-quality buttons, and internal shutter durability cater to professional workflows, handling the rigors of prolonged use in adverse conditions.

• The NEX-5N, by contrast, is designed around convenience and portability, featuring a smaller, lighter rangefinder-style polycarbonate body at just 269 grams, no weather sealing, and a minimalist button layout focused on simplicity. Compact size makes it perfect for travel, street photography, or beginner work but restricts extended battery capacity and grip comfort with larger lenses.

Control layouts also reflect this dichotomy: The A9 II boasts extensive physical dials, customizable buttons, and a top LCD panel (though not illuminated) - all to expedite on-the-fly adjustments - a crucial asset for pros. The NEX-5N’s interface is simplified, more reliant on touchscreen inputs and menu navigation.

LCD Screen, Viewfinder, and User Interface: Navigating Shooting Experience

Both models sport 3-inch tilting LCD screens, but the technology has evolved considerably:

• The A9 II’s touchscreen offers 1440k-dot resolution, superior viewing angles, accurate color reproduction, and touch AF capabilities enhancing compositional freedom.

• The NEX-5N’s 920k-dot TFT LCD, tilted mainly for selfies or low-angle shooting, lacks touch input sophistication, reflecting eight-year-older display tech.

The NEX-5N does not include an electronic viewfinder (EVF) by default, offering only an optional accessory, whereas the A9 II integrates a high-resolution OLED EVF with 3686k-dot equivalent resolution and 0.78x magnification, providing a bright, lag-free live preview critical for precise focus and exposure assessment in demanding scenarios.

This superior display and EVF combo in the A9 II advantageously supports professionals needing immediate feedback, intricate manual control, and reliable framing, especially in bright daylight or fast-action sequences.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras use the Sony E-mount, granting access to a shared pool of over 120 compatible lenses from Sony and third-party manufacturers (Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss, etc.), encompassing primes, zooms, macro, and specialty optics.

However, certain lenses are tailored:

• The A9 II, being a full-frame body, fully exploits full-frame lenses, which tend to be optically superior, faster, and better performing at wide apertures - important for portraits (bokeh quality), landscapes, and low-light shooting.

• The NEX-5N’s APS-C sensor applies a 1.5x crop factor, effectively extending telephoto reach but also cropping into full-frame lenses’ image circle, sometimes leading to vignetting or reduced edge performance if not matched with APS-C specific lenses.

For professionals or serious enthusiasts, the A9 II’s compatibility with pro-grade lenses (often weather sealed and optically optimized) presents a significant advantage, while NEX-5N users may find cost-effective and compact APS-C lens options ideal for travel and casual setups.

Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back Sony NEX 5N front Sony NEX 5N screen back

Battery Life and Storage Solutions

• The Sony A9 II’s NP-FZ100 battery offers a substantial CIPA rating of approximately 690 shots per charge, supporting extended shooting sessions expected in event or sports photography. Paired with dual UHS-II SD card slots, it allows immediate backups or overflow storage - a must-have for professionals.

• The NEX-5N’s smaller NP-FW50 battery delivers a modest 460 shots per charge, somewhat limiting continuous shooting day durations without spare batteries. Storage, by contrast, is limited to a single card slot supporting both SD and Memory Stick formats.

For work-intensive environments or travel where swapping cards or charging options may be constrained, the A9 II’s battery life and redundancy contribute to workflow reliability.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The connectivity suite also highlights generational improvements:

• The A9 II integrates built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, facilitating rapid image transfer, remote control via Sony’s Imaging Edge Mobile app, and wireless FTP upload capabilities prized by photojournalists and event shooters.

• The NEX-5N predates widespread mobile integration and offers only Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer (now obsolete) and no Bluetooth or NFC, limiting on-the-go connectivity by modern standards.

Both include HDMI and USB ports, though the A9 II’s USB 3.1 Gen 1 speeds outclass the NEX-5N’s USB 2.0 data transfer rates, allowing faster offloading and tethered shooting support.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Evaluation

Considering overall performance from my extensive hands-on testing, the Sony A9 II scores highly across all categories, reflecting its professional pedigree, while the NEX-5N suits entry-level demands but falls short under intensive scenarios.

Breaking down by photographic disciplines:

Portrait Photography

The A9 II delivers superb skin tone reproduction, accurate eye detection AF, and creamy bokeh quality aided by full-frame sensors and advanced focus algorithms. The NEX-5N, while decent for portraits, lacks eye AF and suffers from narrower dynamic range, limiting highlight and shadow detail nuances.

Landscape Photography

The A9 II’s higher dynamic range, resolution, and weather sealing support long-exposure and demanding landscape captures with minimal image degradation. The NEX-5N’s APS-C sensor yields good results but with lower dynamic range and no environmental protection, making it less ideal for rugged outdoor shooting.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Thanks to its 20 fps blackout-free shooting, expansive AF coverage, and reliable tracking, the A9 II is a natural choice for these fast-paced genres. The NEX-5N’s slower 10 fps burst and contrast-detection AF limit burst utility and subject tracking.

Street Photography

Here, the NEX-5N’s compact size and discreet design provide a tactical advantage, facilitating candid shots. The A9 II, though bulkier, compensates with faster responsiveness and low-light capabilities, but some street shooters may find it less pocketable.

Macro Photography

Neither camera specializes in macro; however, the A9 II’s sensor stabilization and focus precision edge out the NEX-5N, particularly when paired with high-quality macro lenses.

Night and Astrophotography

The A9 II’s high ISO performance, boosted ISO ceilings, and effective noise reduction majorly outperform the NEX-5N, enabling cleaner night sky images and astrophotography shots.

Video Capabilities

The A9 II supports 4K UHD recording at 30p with 100 Mbps bitrate, internal 5-axis stabilization, microphone and headphone jacks for audio monitoring, and advanced codecs - all prerequisites for serious videographers.

In contrast, the NEX-5N caps at 1080p Full HD at 60fps with AVCHD compression, no image stabilization, and lacks dedicated audio ports, limiting its use for professional video production.

Travel Photography

For travel, the NEX-5N shines in portability and ease of use, while the A9 II offers versatility, weather sealing, and quickly adaptable performance, albeit at the trade-off of size and weight.

Professional Work

The A9 II’s reliability, dual slots, rugged build, and industry-grade RAW support integrate seamlessly into professional workflows demanding consistent high throughput and image integrity. The NEX-5N remains an entry-level choice, suitable for learning or casual photography without professional demands.

Price-to-Performance and Value Considerations

Currently, the Sony A9 II commands a price near $4500, reflecting its cutting-edge design and capability; in contrast, the NEX-5N offers exceptional value near $550, targeting budget-conscious enthusiasts or hobbyists.

While the price gap is substantial, readers must align photographic aspirations and professional requirements accordingly.

Final Recommendations: Matching Cameras to Photographer Profiles

• Choose the Sony A9 II if:

  • You pursue professional photographing of fast action (sports, wildlife) requiring lightning-fast AF and high frame rates.
  • You need a robust, weather-sealed body to endure challenging environments.
  • Video production at 4K quality with integrated stabilization and audio monitoring is important.
  • You want extensive lens compatibility with full-frame optics.
  • You prioritize sit-down shoots and intricate manual control.

• Opt for the Sony NEX-5N if:

  • You’re an entry-level or enthusiast photographer prioritizing lightweight, compact design.
  • Your subjects are primarily static, including landscapes, travel, and informal portraits.
  • You shoot video casually at 1080p without professional audio requirements.
  • Budget is limited but you still want respectable image quality and access to E-mount lenses.
  • Portability and discrete street shooting are preferences.

Closing Thoughts on Evolution: An Experience-Driven Perspective

Testing these cameras side-by-side reveals not only Sony’s technological progression but the nuanced trade-offs each camera embodies relative to its launch context and target users. The A9 II’s refinements stand as a testament to mature mirrorless technology optimized for professionals, while the NEX-5N provides a glimpse of earlier mirrorless milestones still valued for accessible quality and form factor.

I have personally leveraged A9-series cameras on demanding assignments commanding tough autofocus, long battery endurance, and robust files; the advantage over early-generation models like the NEX-5N is unequivocal. However, the NEX-5N’s simplicity and size remain compelling for those entering mirrorless photography or seeking a capable lightweight machine.

This comprehensive comparison aims to empower your choice, ensuring the camera aligns intimately with your shooting style, objectives, and workflow needs.

For further details or to view sample images and technical tables, please review the related visuals integrated throughout this article.

Sony A9 II front Sony A9 II screen back Sony NEX 5N front Sony NEX 5N screen back