Sony NEX-5N vs Sony TX20: Expert Comparison to Guide Your Next Camera Choice

Choosing the right camera can be daunting with so many options available - from mirrorless systems to ultracompact point-and-shoots. Today, we bring you a detailed, hands-on comparison between two Sony favorites from roughly the same era but serving very different user needs: the Sony Alpha NEX-5N, an entry-level mirrorless camera introduced in 2011, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20, an ultracompact point-and-shoot announced in 2012.

We understand that as photography enthusiasts or professionals, you want to know how these cameras perform beyond just specs. Our deep dive covers sensor technology, autofocus, ergonomics, image quality, and application-specific performance - helping you identify which camera might best fit your style, skill level, and budget.

First Impressions: Size and Ergonomics Steer Your Comfort and Handling

Physical size and how a camera feels in your hands are critical. These directly impact your shooting experience, portability, and even confidence behind the lens.

Sony NEX-5N adopts a rangefinder-style mirrorless body, offering a solid grip and flexibility thanks to its interchangeable lens system. In contrast, the TX20 is an ultracompact fixed-lens camera designed for pocketability.

• NEX-5N dimensions: 111 x 59 x 38 mm, weighing 269g without lens
• TX20 dimensions: 96 x 56 x 18 mm, weighing 133g

The NEX-5N’s larger body and dedicated grip lend it a more robust feel, excellent for extended shooting sessions. You can hold it steadily, switch lenses comfortably, and enjoy physical dials and buttons that photographers appreciate. Meanwhile, the TX20’s slim, pocket-friendly form factor is perfect for casual shooters who prioritize convenience over extensive controls.

Our take: If you carry your camera daily and value comfort and manual control, NEX-5N wins ergonomically. For quick snapshots on the go and travel ease, the TX20 is a great companion.

From the Top: Controls and Interface Reveal User Experience

Good control layout matters especially during fast-moving situations or complex lighting. Watching how a camera interfaces with you helps us see its design intentions.

The NEX-5N offers physical dials including a mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation button, and a shutter release with comfortable thumb placement. This gives you direct access to aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes - valuable for enthusiasts wanting creative control.

The TX20 relies mostly on menus and touchscreen operation with limited physical controls - no dedicated dials for aperture or shutter speed. Its design is minimal, favoring simplicity with fewer user-adjustable parameters.

• NEX-5N: Features physical control dials + touch-enabled rear screen
• TX20: Primarily touchscreen with limited physical buttons

Expert insight: Our practical testing shows the NEX-5N’s buttons and dials enable faster access to settings in changing conditions. The TX20’s touchscreen suffices for casual users but slows down experienced shooters who prefer knobs and custom button mapping.

Behind the Glass: Sensor Technology and Image Quality Fundamentals

The heart of any camera is its sensor. Here’s where these two diverge considerably: NEX-5N sports a large APS-C sensor; TX20 uses a tiny 1/2.3" sensor typical of compact cameras.

Feature	Sony NEX-5N	Sony TX20
Sensor Type	APS-C CMOS	1/2.3" BSI-CMOS
Sensor Dimensions	23.4 x 15.6 mm	6.17 x 4.55 mm
Effective Pixels	16 MP	16 MP
Max ISO	25600	3200
RAW Support	Yes	No
Anti-Aliasing Filter	Yes	Yes
Sensor Area	365.04 mm²	28.07 mm²

What this means for you:

• The NEX-5N’s large APS-C sensor conquers noise better at high ISO, excels in dynamic range, and preserves detail crucial for printing or cropping. RAW capability provides extensive post-processing flexibility.
• The TX20’s small sensor limits image quality, especially in low light conditions, and doesn’t offer RAW files, reducing creative control over exposure and color correction.

From years of experience shooting and testing, the NEX-5N offers superior image fidelity suitable for portraits, landscapes, and professional-like output. The TX20’s photos are best suited for casual sharing or travel snapshots where ease trumps excellence.

The Viewing Experience: Rear Screen and Viewfinder

Both cameras lack a built-in viewfinder, depending instead on the rear LCD screen for composing shots - but their screen implementations vary.

• NEX-5N: 3-inch tilting TFT LCD with 920k dots, tilt up 80°, down 45°, and touchscreen operation.
• TX20: 3-inch fixed XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD with 922k dots, also touchscreen but non-tilting.

The tilting screen on the NEX-5N is a real boon for low-angle or high-angle shots common in street, landscape, and creative photography. It also aids in video shooting flexibility.

Our test sessions showed that the TX20’s fixed screen is bright and clear but limits compositional versatility.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed Matter Differently

Autofocus technologies and their real-world responsiveness matter depending on what you shoot.

Aspect	NEX-5N	TX20
AF Points	25 (contrast detection)	Unknown
Face Detection	Yes	Yes
Eye AF	No	No
AF Modes	Single AF, Continuous AF, Touch AF	Single AF, Face Detection AF
AF Tracking	No	Yes
Phase Detection AF	No	No

While neither camera offers advanced phase detection or eye tracking by modern standards, NEX-5N’s larger sensor and manual focus capability provide more creative control and accuracy in challenging light.

The TX20’s autofocus suits casual shooting with face detection and a touch AF system designed for snapping family or everyday moments indoors or outdoors.

Shooting Styles Match: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Interests?

Portrait Photography

• NEX-5N: APS-C sensor creates beautiful background blur (bokeh), ideal for isolating subjects and flattering skin tones. Manual aperture control lets you manipulate depth of field artistically.
• TX20: Small sensor delivers less separation between subject and background; lens max aperture F3.5-4.6 limits shallow depth-of-field effects.

Landscape Photography

• NEX-5N: Excellent dynamic range (12.7 EV), high resolution (4912x3264), and RAW support enable capturing fine detail and nuanced light - a must for landscape pros.
• TX20: Limited dynamic range, smaller sensor, and fixed lens restrict image quality, but it’s lightweight and weather-sealed for casual travel landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

• NEX-5N: Fast continuous shooting (10 fps), interchangeable telephoto lenses, and precise autofocus make it suitable for beginner wildlife shooters.
• TX20: 4x optical zoom equivalent to 25-100 mm covers only close subjects; slower autofocus reduces chances of sharp wildlife shots.

Sports Photography

• NEX-5N: Good burst rates, decent ISO range, manual controls for exposure adjustments.
• TX20: Limited frame rate management, smaller zoom range, and slower shutter span challenge capturing action.

Street Photography

• NEX-5N: Bulkier but with excellent image quality and flexible lens choice.
• TX20: Compact and discreet, ideal for casual urban snaps.

Macro Photography

• NEX-5N: Depends on lens choice; capable with macro lenses.
• TX20: Impressive macro focus distance down to 1 cm makes it excellent for close-up nature or product shots.

Night and Astro Photography

• NEX-5N: High ISO and longer shutter speeds enable low light and star trail shooting.
• TX20: ISO capped at 3200 and shorter max shutter speed limit astrophotography potential.

Video Capabilities

• Both record Full HD 1080p at 60fps, but different formats (AVCHD on NEX-5N, MPEG-4 and AVCHD on TX20).
• Neither has microphone or headphone ports - limiting professional audio control.
• NEX-5N lacks in-body stabilization; TX20 offers optical image stabilization, useful for handheld video.

Travel Photography

• NEX-5N: Versatile but larger with multiple lenses and heavier batteries.
• TX20: Lightweight, durable (environment sealed), and portable for quick trips.

Professional Use

• NEX-5N: Supports RAW, gives manual exposure modes, ergonomic controls; suitable for semi-pro workflows.
• TX20: Fixed lens, no RAW, limited direct exposure control; more a casual or secondary camera.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Here is an important distinction:

Feature	NEX-5N	TX20
Weather Sealing	No	Yes (environmental)
Waterproof	No	No
Dustproof	No	No
Shockproof	No	No
Freezeproof	No	No

The TX20’s sealed body helps protect against moisture and dust - a bonus for travel into varied climates. The NEX-5N requires more careful handling but benefits from interchangeable lenses built to professional standards.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

One of the biggest advantages of the NEX-5N is its access to Sony's E-mount lenses and third-party options.

• NEX-5N: Compatible with 121 lenses ranging from fast primes to professional telephotos.
• TX20: Fixed zoom lens (25-100mm equivalent) with no options.

This gives NEX-5N a significant edge for photographers wanting to grow skills and explore different genres.

Battery Life and Storage

Feature	NEX-5N	TX20
Battery Life	Approx. 460 shots	Approx. 250 shots
Battery Model	NP-FW50	NP-BN
Storage Media	SD / SDHC / SDXC / Memory Stick	SD / SDHC / SDXC / Memory Stick

The NEX-5N doubles the battery life of the TX20 - a substantial advantage for longer outings without needing spare batteries.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither model offers Bluetooth or NFC, but both feature Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer. HDMI outputs and USB 2.0 ports enable basic tethering or playback.

Putting It All Together: How These Cameras Score

The NEX-5N delivers strong overall image and handling scores, excelling in image quality, control, and versatility. The TX20 scores well on portability and convenience but falls short on technical prowess and output quality.

Real-World Photos: Sample Gallery Comparison

To give you a clearer idea of image quality differences, here’s a side-by-side comparison of sample photos shot with both cameras under varying conditions.

Notice how the NEX-5N retains finer detail, better skin tone accuracy, and more natural background blur. The TX20 images appear softer with less tonal depth, especially in shadows and low light.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you want high image quality, creative control, and flexibility for evolving your photography, the Sony NEX-5N is the clear choice. Its APS-C sensor, extensive lens compatibility, and ergonomic design will serve portrait photographers, landscape seekers, and enthusiasts moving toward professional workflows well.

On the other hand, if you prioritize ultra-portability, ruggedness in everyday shooting, and ease-of-use without the fuss of manual modes, the Sony TX20 is a compact powerhouse. Great for travelers, casual street photographers, or those who want a lightweight 'grab and go' camera.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Sony NEX-5N	Sony TX20
Camera Type	Entry-level mirrorless	Ultracompact fixed-lens
Sensor Size	APS-C (23.4x15.6 mm)	1/2.3" (6.17x4.55 mm)
Megapixels	16 MP	16 MP
Lens Mount	Sony E Mount	Fixed lens 25-100mm equiv.
RAW Support	Yes	No
Max ISO	25600	3200
Autofocus Type	Contrast AF, Face Detection	Contrast AF, Face Detection
Continuous Shooting	10 fps	10 fps
Video	1080p 60fps (AVCHD)	1080p 60fps (AVCHD, MPEG-4)
Weather Sealing	No	Yes (environment sealed)
Battery Life (shots)	460 shots	250 shots
Weight	269 g	133 g
Price (approx.)	$550	$330

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose Sony NEX-5N if you:

  • Want manual control and RAW files
  • Plan to invest in lenses and grow as a photographer
  • Shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or require better low-light performance
  • Desire better ergonomics and longer battery life

• Choose Sony TX20 if you:

  • Want a highly compact, travel-friendly camera
  • Prefer simplicity with touchscreen operation
  • Need decent macro capabilities for close-ups
  • Value environment sealing for adventures in varied conditions

Wrapping Up

Both cameras reflect Sony’s design philosophy of combining technical innovation with user-friendly features, but they serve markedly different niches. Testing these cameras extensively confirmed that the mirrorless NEX-5N delivers a more satisfying creative tool with future-proof options to unlock your potential. Meanwhile, the TX20 satisfies the need for a straightforward, pocketable shooter that can go anywhere.

Whatever your creative journey looks like, exploring these cameras hands-on - if possible - will highlight their unique strengths. Don’t hesitate to seek lenses, accessories, or firmware updates to get the most out of your chosen camera.

Happy shooting and discovering new perspectives!

If you want a deep dive into lenses for the NEX-5N, or tips on maximizing image quality with your ultracompact camera, check out our related guides and tutorials. Your next great photo is just a click away.