Sony NEX-5N vs Sony A99

Let's look a bit more closely at the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony A99, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both produced by Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the NEX-5N (16MP) and A99 (24MP) and the NEX-5N (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) have different sensor sizing.

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The NEX-5N was manufactured 14 months prior to the A99 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the NEX-5N matches up against the A99 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha NEX-5N and Sony SLT-A99. The entire galleries are provided at Sony NEX-5N Gallery and Sony A99 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-5N enjoys physical measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

See the Sony NEX-5N versus Sony A99 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the NEX-5N vs the A99.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NEX-5N and A99 is 89 and 57 respectively.

Typically, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The image here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-5N and A99.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-5N due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A99 will give you greater detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5N is going to be behind in sensor tech.