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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Released April 2009
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the NEX-5N (16MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the NEX-5N (APS-C) and HX1 (1/2.4") come with totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The NEX-5N was released 2 years after the HX1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the NEX-5N scores vs the HX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony HX1

 NEX-5N HX1 
ReleasedOctober 2011April 2009More modern by 30 months
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony NEX-5N

 HX1 NEX-5N 

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX1

 NEX-5N HX1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony NEX-5N comes with external dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Sony HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Look at the Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the NEX-5N vs the HX1.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5N and HX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the difference in sensor sizes just by researching a spec sheet. The pic below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5N and HX1.

Clearly, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5N due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Sony NEX-5N will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The fresher NEX-5N is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography features
Sony HX1 Portrait photography features
73
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
27
you can focus manually
cannot use external flash
low MP (9 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Street photography highlights
Sony HX1 Street photography highlights
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
provides focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition in class (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Sports photography camera
58
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (460 CIPA)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
36
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low MP (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery (460 shots)
provides focus via touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
48
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (544g)
low MP (9 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography info
Sony HX1 Landscape photography info
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (460 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
39
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
Vlogging with Sony HX1
33
touchscreen
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing microphone socket
22
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1440 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than competition in class (544g)
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX1
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-10-03 2009-04-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 9MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4912 x 3264 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 9.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1440x1080
Video file format AVCHD H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 544 grams (1.20 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 1079 not tested
Other
Battery life 460 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $550 $47,999