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Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
67
Imaging
50
Features
50
Overall
50
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Sony A330
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A300
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
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
Photography Glossary

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are built by Sony. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the A330 (10MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The A330 was released 3 years prior to the NEX-5N and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony A330 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the A330 grades versus the NEX-5N in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Sony NEX-5N

 A330 NEX-5N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A330

 NEX-5N A330 
AnnouncedOctober 2011May 2009Fresher by 28 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A330 and Sony NEX-5N

 A330 NEX-5N 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony A330 features external measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the A330 vs the NEX-5N.

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A330 and NEX-5N is 67 and 89 respectively.

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing specifications. The visual underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the A330 and NEX-5N.

Plainly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony NEX-5N to show more detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older A330 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A330
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
62
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
low MP (10MP)
73
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A330 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Street photography factors
75
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A330 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (10 megapixels)
not so great battery (230 per charge)
58
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A330 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
44
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (230 per charge)
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
better than average battery power (460 shots)
features focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
no Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A330 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
54
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (10MP)
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A330
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
9
lack of video recording
33
touchscreen enabled
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no mic socket
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Sony A330 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A330 and Sony NEX-5N
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A330Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-05-18 2011-10-03
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Total lenses 143 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 529g (1.17 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 77
DXO Color Depth rating 22.4 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.5 12.7
DXO Low light rating 535 1079
Other
Battery life 230 photos 460 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $545 $550