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Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Introduced July 2006
  • Earlier Model is Konica Minolta 5D
  • Updated by Sony A550
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
  • Announced October 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
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Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Sony A100 versus Sony NEX-5N, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the A100 (10MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The A100 was introduced 6 years before the NEX-5N which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the A100 grades versus the NEX-5N for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Sony NEX-5N

 A100 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A100

 NEX-5N A100 
AnnouncedOctober 2011July 2006More modern by 63 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A100 and Sony NEX-5N

 A100 NEX-5N 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Sony A100 has got external measurements of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has specifications of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A100 versus Sony NEX-5N in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the A100 and the NEX-5N.

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A100 and NEX-5N is 64 and 89 respectively.

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by going over specifications. The picture below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A100 and NEX-5N.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony NEX-5N to offer greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged A100 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A100 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
52
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A100 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A100
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5N
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
58
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery life (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A100
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
45
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
good battery life (460 CIPA)
includes touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A100 Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography details
53
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
71
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A100 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging advice
9
lack of video recording
33
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
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Sony A100 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A100 and Sony NEX-5N
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2006-07-31 2011-10-03
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 638g (1.41 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 61 77
DXO Color Depth rating 22.0 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 12.7
DXO Low light rating 476 1079
Other
Battery life - 460 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM55H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $1,000 $550