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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
89 Imaging
57 Features
69 Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88 Imaging
55 Features
86 Overall
67

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 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
  • Released October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5R
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Released May 2020
  • Successor is Sony ZV-1 II
Photography Glossary

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Sony NEX-5N and Sony ZV-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact and both are built by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5N (16MP) and the ZV-1 (20MP) is fairly similar but the NEX-5N (APS-C) and ZV-1 (1") use different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-5N was released 9 years earlier than the ZV-1 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the NEX-5N matches up against the ZV-1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony ZV-1

		

		

			
 NEX-5N ZV-1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Sony NEX-5N

		

		

			
 ZV-1 NEX-5N 
ReleasedMay 2020October 2011More modern by 105 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution922k920kCrisper display (+2k dot)
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony ZV-1

		

		

			
 NEX-5N ZV-1 
Focus manually  More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Sony NEX-5N has exterior measurements 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 ZV-1 has measurements of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") having a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).
See the Sony NEX-5N and Sony ZV-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the NEX-5N versus the ZV-1.
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5N and ZV-1 is 89 and 88 respectively.
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Normally, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the NEX-5N and ZV-1.
As you can see, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5N because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony ZV-1 will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5N is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.
	
			Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography details
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography details
74
 focusing manually
 good megapixels (16MP)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 provides face detection focus
 supports RAW formats
73
 manual focus
 decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (1")
 comes with face detection autofocus
 supports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Sony NEX-5N Street photography info
Sony ZV-1 Street photography info
80
 screen tilts
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 supports RAW formats
 features focus via touch
 above average high ISO (25,600)
 does not have image stabilization
85
 screen articulates
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 sensor size is nice (1")
 supports RAW files
 comes with touch focus
 lighter than others (294g)
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Sports Comparison
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography highlights
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography highlights
58
 good megapixels (16 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 better than average battery pack (460 per charge)
 does not have image stabilization
 no phase detect auto focus
71
 silent shooting (1/32,000s)
 fast continuous shooting (24.0 frames per second)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 decent megapixels (20MP)
 sensor size is nice (1")
 comes with tracking autofocus
 comes with phase detect autofocus
 not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
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Travel Comparison
 Sony NEX-5N as a Travel photography camera
 Sony ZV-1 as a Travel photography camera
71
 better than average battery pack (460 CIPA)
 features focus via touch
 good megapixels (16 megapixels)
 does not have Time Lapse function
 does not offer selfie friendly display
81
 lighter than others (294g)
 supports bluetooth
 comes with touch focus
 decent megapixels (20MP)
 display is selfie friendly
 rather wide (24mm)
 great maximum aperture (f1.8)
 not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography information
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography information
71
 focusing manually
 interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 good megapixels (16MP)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 above average high ISO (25,600)
 supports RAW formats
 better than average battery pack (460 per charge)
 does not have image stabilization
 does not have Time Lapse function
70
 manual focus
 rather wide (24mm)
 great maximum aperture (f1.8)
 nice screen size (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (1")
 supports RAW files
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 not so great battery pack (260 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging details
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging details
33
 touchscreen capability
 provides face detection focus
 video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 does not offer selfie friendly display
 does not have image stabilization
 does not have external mic socket
86
 rather wide (24mm)
 great maximum aperture (f1.8)
 display is selfie friendly
 touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 comes with face detection autofocus
 good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
 does have external mic support
 lighter than others (294 grams)
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony ZV-1
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony ZV-1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony ZV-1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2011-10-03 2020-05-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Max resolution 4912 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images    
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Continuous AF    
AF single    
Tracking AF    
AF selectice    
AF center weighted    
AF multi area    
Live view AF    
Face detection AF    
Contract detection AF    
Phase detection AF    
Number of focus points 25 315
Lens
Lens mount Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Screen technology Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 24.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support    
Headphone support    
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 269 gr (0.59 pounds) 294 gr (0.65 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 1079 not tested
Other
Battery life 460 pictures 260 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes
Time lapse feature    
Storage type SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $550 $750