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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V Key Specs

Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed April 2013
  • Older Model is Sony HX30V
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony HX50V, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the NEX-5N (16MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is pretty similar but the NEX-5N (APS-C) and HX50V (1/2.3") have different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-5N was revealed 18 months prior to the HX50V which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX50V being a Compact camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the NEX-5N grades vs the HX50V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony HX50V

 NEX-5N HX50V 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Sony NEX-5N

 HX50V NEX-5N 
RevealedApril 2013October 2011Fresher by 18 months
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX50V

 NEX-5N HX50V 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-5N provides external dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Sony HX50V has measurements of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony HX50V in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the NEX-5N versus the HX50V.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5N and HX50V is 89 and 89 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5N and HX50V.

Clearly, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The NEX-5N having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony HX50V will offer you greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older NEX-5N is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography advice
Sony HX50V Portrait photography advice
73
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
50
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Street photography camera
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (272g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Sports photography camera
58
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
57
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery pack (400 shots)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Travel photography factors
Sony HX50V Travel photography factors
70
better than average battery (460 CIPA)
comes with focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery pack (400 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (272g)
resolution is good (20MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5N
Landscape photography with Sony HX50V
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse recording
53
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
good battery pack (400 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging details
Sony HX50V Vlogging details
33
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone jack
34
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (272 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5 )
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony HX50V
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-10-03 2013-04-24
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4912 x 3264 5184 x 2920
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 25 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max 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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 269 grams (0.59 lb) 272 grams (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 400 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BX1
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 Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $550 $439