Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N
63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51


89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced August 2009
- Replacement is Sony A560
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Released October 2011
- Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
- Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview
On this page, we are contrasting the Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are manufactured by Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

The A500 was introduced 3 years before the NEX-5N which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the A500 scores versus the NEX-5N for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 and Sony Alpha NEX-5N. The whole galleries are provided at Sony A500 Gallery and Sony NEX-5N Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony NEX-5N
A500 | NEX-5N |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A500
NEX-5N | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 25 months |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+690k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony NEX-5N
A500 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Sony A500 enjoys physical dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Compare the Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the A500 compared to the NEX-5N.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A500 and NEX-5N is 63 and 89 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out technical specs. The pic below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A500 and NEX-5N.
As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony NEX-5N to provide greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged A500 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | Sony Alpha NEX-5N |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2009-08-27 | 2011-10-03 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Bionz | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4272 x 2848 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 143 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160s | 1/160s |
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) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 630g (1.39 lbs) | 269g (0.59 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 64 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.8 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.6 | 12.7 |
DXO Low light score | 772 | 1079 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 520 photos | 460 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NP-FM500H | 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/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $638 | $550 |