Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S980

On this page, we will be analyzing the Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the NEX-5N (16MP) and S980 (12MP) and the NEX-5N (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-5N was launched 2 years later than the S980 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the NEX-5N matches up versus the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha NEX-5N and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are provided at Sony NEX-5N Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.

If you're going to lug around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5N provides outer measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Sony NEX-5N vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the NEX-5N compared to the S980.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5N and S980 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking specifications. The visual below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-5N and S980.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The NEX-5N because of its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony NEX-5N will give you more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer NEX-5N should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.