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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII front
Portability
88
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII 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
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5R
Sony RX100 VII
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 302g - 102 x 58 x 43mm
  • Announced July 2019
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 VI
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony RX100 VII, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both are offered by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-5N (16MP) and the RX100 VII (20MP) is very close but the NEX-5N (APS-C) and RX100 VII (1") provide different sensor size.

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The NEX-5N was revealed 8 years earlier than the RX100 VII which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 VII being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the NEX-5N grades versus the RX100 VII with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony RX100 VII

 NEX-5N RX100 VII 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 VII over the Sony NEX-5N

 RX100 VII NEX-5N 
AnnouncedJuly 2019October 2011More modern by 95 months
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony RX100 VII

 NEX-5N RX100 VII 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Sony NEX-5N offers physical measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony RX100 VII has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7") along with a weight of 302 grams (0.67 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony RX100 VII in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the NEX-5N against the RX100 VII.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-5N and RX100 VII is 89 and 88 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The pic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-5N and RX100 VII.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5N using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony RX100 VII will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5N will be behind in sensor technology.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5N
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 VII
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
66
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-5N
Street photography with Sony RX100 VII
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
85
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
lighter than average (302 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Sports photography factors
Sony RX100 VII Sports photography factors
58
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (460 shots)
no image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
70
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Travel photography features
Sony RX100 VII Travel photography features
70
good battery pack (460 CIPA)
comes with focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
77
lighter than average (302 grams)
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
MP count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
pretty wide (24mm)
terrible battery pack (260 CIPA)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography info
Sony RX100 VII Landscape photography info
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (460 shots)
no image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
65
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
terrible battery pack (260 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 VII Vlogging factors
33
built-in touchscreen
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external microphone jack
81
pretty wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone socket
lighter than average (302g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony RX100 VII Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony RX100 VII
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-10-03 2019-07-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
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 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-200mm (8.3x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-4.5
Macro focus distance - 8cm
Total lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m 5.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/2000 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone 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 lbs) 302 grams (0.67 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 43mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 77 63
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 12.4
DXO Low light score 1079 418
Other
Battery life 460 photographs 260 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $550 $1,298