Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1
89 Imaging
56 Features
69 Overall
61


80 Imaging
66 Features
89 Overall
75
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Key Specs
(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
- Replaced the Sony NEX-5
- Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 1920 video
- Sony E Mount
- 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
- Released March 2023

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview
Let's take a deeper look at the Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless and both are produced by Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the NEX-5N (16MP) and ZV-E1 (12MP) and the NEX-5N (APS-C) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The NEX-5N was unveiled 12 years before the ZV-E1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the NEX-5N grades vs the ZV-E1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Sony Alpha NEX-5N & Sony ZV-E1. The full galleries are viewable at Sony NEX-5N Gallery & Sony ZV-E1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Sony ZV-E1
NEX-5N | ZV-E1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Sony NEX-5N
ZV-E1 | NEX-5N | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2023 | ![]() | October 2011 | More modern by 139 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper display (+117k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Sony NEX-5N and Sony ZV-E1
NEX-5N | ZV-E1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3.00" | Equivalent display sizing |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony NEX-5N has external measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Sony ZV-E1 has dimensions of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).
Compare the Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the NEX-5N compared to the ZV-E1.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5N and ZV-E1 is 89 and 80 respectively.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The pic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-5N and ZV-E1.
As you have seen, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The NEX-5N having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-5N will resolve more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5N is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications
Sony Alpha NEX-5N | Sony ZV-E1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha NEX-5N | Sony ZV-E1 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Released | 2011-10-03 | 2023-03-29 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Bionz | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 365.0mm² | 847.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4912 x 3264 | 4240 x 2832 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 102400 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 409600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Min boosted ISO | - | 40 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
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 | 759 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Sony E | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 121 | 195 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
Screen size | 3" | 3.00" |
Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | - |
Maximum silent shutter speed | - | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160s | - |
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 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x1920 |
Video file format | AVCHD | MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 269 grams (0.59 lbs) | 483 grams (1.06 lbs) |
Dimensions | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") | 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 images | 570 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NPFW50 | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $550 | $2,198 |