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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
83
Overall
71

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 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
  • Launched October 2011
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5R
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Announced October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A700
  • New Model is Sony A77 II
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony NEX-5N and Sony A77, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both are produced by Sony. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the NEX-5N (16MP) and A77 (24MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The NEX-5N was introduced at a similar time to the A77 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A77 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the NEX-5N scores against the A77 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony A77

 NEX-5N A77 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Sony NEX-5N

 A77 NEX-5N 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony A77

 NEX-5N A77 
AnnouncedOctober 2011October 2011Same generation
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Sony NEX-5N has exterior measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has proportions of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Analyze the Sony NEX-5N and Sony A77 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the NEX-5N and the A77.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-5N and A77 is 89 and 59 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The visual here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-5N and A77.

Plainly, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Sony A77 to show extra detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography advice
Sony A77 Portrait photography advice
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
Sony A77 as a Street photography camera
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
74
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Sports photography highlights
Sony A77 Sports photography highlights
58
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (460 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Travel photography info
Sony A77 Travel photography info
70
better than average battery pack (460 per charge)
offers touch focus
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
62
weather proof
MP count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (470 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A77 as a Landscape photography camera
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (460 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery life (470 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging advice
Sony A77 Vlogging advice
33
has touchscreen
has face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
76
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic support
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony A77
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony SLT-A77
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony SLT-A77
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-10-03 2011-10-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4912 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 50
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 pounds) 732 grams (1.61 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 77 78
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 13.2
DXO Low light rating 1079 801
Other
Battery life 460 shots 470 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $550 $900