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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 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
  • Announced June 2010
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5N
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony A55
  • Updated by Sony A58
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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Sony NEX-5 versus Sony A57, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are created by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-5 (14MP) and the A57 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The NEX-5 was introduced 3 years earlier than the A57 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the NEX-5 scores versus the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony A57

 NEX-5 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Sony NEX-5

 A57 NEX-5 
IntroducedSeptember 2012June 2010Newer by 27 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-5 and Sony A57

 NEX-5 A57 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5 enjoys physical dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Compare the Sony NEX-5 versus Sony A57 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the NEX-5 and the A57.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5 and A57 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specs. The picture underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5 and A57.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Sony A57 to produce more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography features
Sony A57 Portrait photography features
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-5
Street photography with Sony A57
76
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Sports photography highlights
Sony A57 Sports photography highlights
52
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A57 as a Travel photography camera
59
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
67
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography info
Sony A57 Landscape photography info
68
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5 Vlogging details
Sony A57 Vlogging details
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external microphone jack
77
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
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Sony NEX-5 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5 and Sony A57
 Sony Alpha NEX-5Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony SLT-A57
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-06-07 2012-09-13
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 25 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 121 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
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, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 287 grams (0.63 lbs) 618 grams (1.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 69 75
DXO Color Depth rating 22.2 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 13.0
DXO Low light rating 796 785
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 550 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $599 $1,000