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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Announced October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-5R
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX10V
  • New Model is Sony HX30V
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Sony. The sensor resolution of the NEX-5N (16MP) and the HX20V (18MP) is very comparable but the NEX-5N (APS-C) and HX20V (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The NEX-5N was launched 9 months earlier than the HX20V so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the NEX-5N grades vs the HX20V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony HX20V

 NEX-5N HX20V 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony NEX-5N

 HX20V NEX-5N 
RevealedJuly 2012October 2011Fresher by 9 months
Display resolution922k920kClearer display (+2k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX20V

 NEX-5N HX20V 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-5N offers exterior measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the NEX-5N compared to the HX20V.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V size comparison

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

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by going through specs. The photograph here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-5N and HX20V.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The NEX-5N featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony HX20V will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images much more aggressively. The older NEX-5N will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
45
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
comes with face detect focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Street photography information
Sony HX20V Street photography information
80
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Sports photography camera
58
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (460 shots)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
Travel photography with Sony HX20V
70
great battery pack (460 per charge)
comes with touch to focus
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competition (254g)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (460 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
50
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony NEX-5N
Vlogging with Sony HX20V
33
touch screen
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of microphone port
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (254 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX20V
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-10-03 2012-07-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4912 x 3264 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 pounds) 254g (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 All around 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 pictures 320 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $550 $397