Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA
89 Imaging
57 Features
69 Overall
61
![Sony Alpha NEX-5N front Sony Alpha NEX-5N front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N/Sony-NEX-5N-front.jpg)
![Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-V(A)/Sony-RX100-VA-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
54 Features
77 Overall
63
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Key Specs
(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
- Launched October 2011
- Old Model is Sony NEX-5
- Updated by Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
- 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
- Announced July 2018
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Overview
Here is a in-depth review of the Sony NEX-5N and Sony RX100 VA, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both built by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-5N (16MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is very close but the NEX-5N (APS-C) and RX100 VA (1") boast totally different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The NEX-5N was launched 7 years earlier than the RX100 VA and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 VA being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the NEX-5N scores vs the RX100 VA in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha NEX-5N and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A). The complete galleries are available at Sony NEX-5N Gallery and Sony RX100 VA Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony RX100 VA
NEX-5N | RX100 VA | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VA over the Sony NEX-5N
RX100 VA | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2018 | ![]() | October 2011 | Fresher by 82 months |
Display resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+309k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony RX100 VA
NEX-5N | RX100 VA | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and volume. 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) while the Sony RX100 VA has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).
Check the Sony NEX-5N and Sony RX100 VA in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the NEX-5N and the RX100 VA.
![Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-V(A)-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5N and RX100 VA is 89 and 89 respectively.
![Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-V(A)-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-5N and RX100 VA.
Clearly, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The NEX-5N featuring a larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX100 VA will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The older NEX-5N will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
![Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-V(A)-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder
![Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5N-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-V(A)-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications
Sony Alpha NEX-5N | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-10-03 | 2018-07-13 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Bionz | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1" |
Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 365.0mm² | 116.2mm² |
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 |
Max resolution | 4912 x 3264 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW support | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 25 | 315 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Sony E | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-70mm (2.9x) |
Max aperture | - | f/1.8-2.8 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Number of lenses | 121 | - |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 920k dots | 1,229k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.59x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Fastest silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0fps | 24.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | 10.20 m (at Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160s | 1/2000s |
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) | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video format | AVCHD | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 269 grams (0.59 pounds) | 299 grams (0.66 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") | 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") |
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 | 220 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NPFW50 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) | Yes |
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 | One | One |
Cost at release | $550 | $998 |