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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
37
Overall
41

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 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
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
Sony QX30
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 193g - 68 x 65 x 58mm
  • Launched September 2014
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Lens-style and they are both designed by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5N (16MP) and the QX30 (20MP) is pretty close but the NEX-5N (APS-C) and QX30 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The NEX-5N was introduced 3 years before the QX30 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX30 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the NEX-5N grades against the QX30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony QX30

 NEX-5N QX30 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution920k0kCrisper screen (+920k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX30 over the Sony NEX-5N

 QX30 NEX-5N 
LaunchedSeptember 2014October 2011Newer by 35 months

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony QX30

 NEX-5N QX30 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5N offers external dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Sony QX30 has dimensions of 68mm x 65mm x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the NEX-5N and the QX30.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-5N and QX30 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5N and QX30.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-5N with its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony QX30 will provide you with more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5N will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography info
Sony QX30 Portrait photography info
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
38
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Street photography info
Sony QX30 Street photography info
80
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
62
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
Sony QX30 as a Sports photography camera
58
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery (460 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Travel photography information
Sony QX30 Travel photography information
70
great battery (460 shots)
supports focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
65
has touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography information
Sony QX30 Landscape photography information
71
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
39
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (")
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX30 as a Vlogging camera
33
touchscreen
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing mic socket
35
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony QX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony QX30
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Lens-style
Announced 2011-10-03 2014-09-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz X
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 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-6.3
Total lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" -
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 0 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in None
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 193 gr (0.43 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 68 x 65 x 58mm (2.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
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 shots 200 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $550 $348