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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V Key Specs

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
  • Launched June 2010
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5N
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX10V
  • Updated by Sony HX30V
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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Sony NEX-5 versus Sony HX20V, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the NEX-5 (14MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the NEX-5 (APS-C) and HX20V (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-5 was brought out 3 years earlier than the HX20V and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the NEX-5 grades vs the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony HX20V

 NEX-5 HX20V 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony NEX-5

 HX20V NEX-5 
ReleasedJuly 2012June 2010Fresher by 25 months
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-5 and Sony HX20V

 NEX-5 HX20V 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5 has external measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) whilst the Sony HX20V has dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-5 versus Sony HX20V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the NEX-5 versus the HX20V.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5 and HX20V is 89 and 90 respectively.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The graphic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-5 and HX20V.

To sum up, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The NEX-5 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony HX20V will give more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older NEX-5 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
45
has manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Street photography camera
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (254g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Sports photography camera
52
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Travel photography details
Sony HX20V Travel photography details
59
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than others in class (254 grams)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
Landscape photography with Sony HX20V
68
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
50
has manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Vlogging factors
Sony HX20V Vlogging factors
28
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic port
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (254g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of microphone socket
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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5 and Sony HX20V
 Sony Alpha NEX-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-06-07 2012-07-20
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 287 gr (0.63 pounds) 254 gr (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 69 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 796 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 320 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $599 $397