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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 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
  • Released October 2011
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
Sony S2100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-105mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 61 x 27mm
  • Released January 2010
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Sony NEX-5N and Sony S2100, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the NEX-5N (16MP) and S2100 (12MP) and the NEX-5N (APS-C) and S2100 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

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The NEX-5N was launched 22 months after the S2100 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S2100 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the NEX-5N matches up against the S2100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony S2100

 NEX-5N S2100 
ReleasedOctober 2011January 2010More modern by 22 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S2100 over the Sony NEX-5N

 S2100 NEX-5N 

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony S2100

 NEX-5N S2100 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Sony NEX-5N offers outer dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony S2100 has sizing of 98mm x 61mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Sony NEX-5N and Sony S2100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the NEX-5N versus the S2100.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5N and S2100 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing specifications. The picture underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-5N and S2100.

Plainly, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5N featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Sony NEX-5N will result in more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher NEX-5N should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S2100 as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Street photography info
Sony S2100 Street photography info
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
46
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Sports photography camera
Sony S2100 as a Sports photography camera
58
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,200s)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
Travel photography with Sony S2100
70
better than average battery (460 shots)
features touch to focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
50
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography information
Sony S2100 Landscape photography information
71
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
27
screen size is decent (3")
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging advice
Sony S2100 Vlogging advice
33
built-in touchscreen
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone support
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S2100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony S2100
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-10-03 2010-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4912 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-105mm (3.2x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1200s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 98 x 61 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NPFW50 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, optional SD, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $550 $0