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Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released August 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A350
  • New Model is Sony A390
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5N
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Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A380 (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The A380 was announced 9 months earlier than the NEX-5 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a quick summary of how the A380 matches up against the NEX-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Sony NEX-5

 A380 NEX-5 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony A380

 NEX-5 A380 
RevealedJune 2010August 2009More recent by 9 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Sony A380 and Sony NEX-5

 A380 NEX-5 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Sony A380 offers outside measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

See the Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the A380 vs the NEX-5.

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A380 and NEX-5 is 68 and 89 respectively.

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by going through specs. The graphic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A380 and NEX-5.

All in all, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you can expect comparable quality of images but you will need to take the age of the cameras into account. The older A380 will be behind in sensor tech.

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A380 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
72
has manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A380
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A380
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5
59
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (500 CIPA)
52
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A380 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography factors
53
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (500 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
59
decent MP (14MP)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A380 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
61
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low battery pack (500 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A380
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5
9
can't shoot video
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no microphone jack
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Sony A380 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A380 and Sony NEX-5
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-08-24 2010-06-07
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3056 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Available lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 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)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 519 grams (1.14 pounds) 287 grams (0.63 pounds)
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 score 67 69
DXO Color Depth score 22.6 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.8 12.2
DXO Low light score 614 796
Other
Battery life 500 shots 330 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FH50 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $899 $599