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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
65
Features
74
Overall
68

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5N
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony a5000
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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Sony NEX-5 and Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are manufactured by Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the NEX-5 (14MP) and a5100 (24MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The NEX-5 was brought out 5 years before the a5100 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the NEX-5 scores versus the a5100 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony a5100

 NEX-5 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Sony NEX-5

 a5100 NEX-5 
RevealedAugust 2014June 2010More recent by 51 months
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony NEX-5 and Sony a5100

 NEX-5 a5100 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5 features external dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has dimensions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check out the Sony NEX-5 and Sony a5100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the NEX-5 vs the a5100.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-5 and a5100 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5 and a5100.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony a5100 to render extra detail having its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older NEX-5 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
Portrait photography with Sony a5100
72
manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Street photography camera
76
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
82
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Sports photography camera
52
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
68
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery life (400 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5
Travel photography with Sony a5100
59
good MP (14MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
80
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
has touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
has built in flash
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony a5100 Landscape photography highlights
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
good MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Vlogging advice
Sony a5100 Vlogging advice
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic port
34
has touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5 and Sony a5100
 Sony Alpha NEX-5Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Alpha a5100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-06-07 2014-08-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 25 179
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Sony E
Available lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 287 grams (0.63 lbs) 283 grams (0.62 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 69 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.2 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.7
DXO Low light score 796 1347
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 400 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $599 $448