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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony SLT-A58 front
Portability
68
Imaging
62
Features
72
Overall
66

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
Sony A58
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 492g - 129 x 95 x 78mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Old Model is Sony A57
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony A58, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are built by Sony. The resolution of the NEX-5N (16MP) and the A58 (20MP) is very well matched and they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The NEX-5N was revealed 3 years earlier than the A58 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A58 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the NEX-5N scores vs the A58 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A58

 NEX-5N A58 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A58 over the Sony NEX-5N

 A58 NEX-5N 
AnnouncedNovember 2013October 2011More modern by 26 months

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony A58

 NEX-5N A58 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Sony NEX-5N has exterior dimensions 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 A58 has specifications of 129mm x 95mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 492 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony A58 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the NEX-5N versus the A58.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5N and A58 is 89 and 68 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking specifications. The picture below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-5N and A58.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony A58 to give extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5N is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography information
Sony A58 Portrait photography information
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
77
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Street photography details
Sony A58 Street photography details
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
78
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Sports photography advice
Sony A58 Sports photography advice
58
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery life (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
81
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
better than average battery pack (690 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5N
Travel photography with Sony A58
70
better than average battery life (460 shots)
features focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
63
better than average battery pack (690 shots)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography features
Sony A58 Landscape photography features
71
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
70
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (690 CIPA)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
does not have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
Sony A58 Vlogging factors
33
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic support
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A58 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony A58
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony SLT-A58
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony SLT-A58
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-10-03 2013-11-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4912 x 3264 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 25600 16000
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.65x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 492 gr (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 129 x 95 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 77 74
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 23.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 12.5
DXO Low light rating 1079 753
Other
Battery life 460 pictures 690 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) -
Time lapse shooting
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 1 1
Retail pricing $550 $645