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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
66
Features
89
Overall
75

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 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
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5R
Sony ZV-E1
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
ReleasedMarch 2023October 2011More modern by 139 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k920kSharper 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography details
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography details
73
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
71
you can focus manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Street photography details
Sony ZV-E1 Street photography details
80
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
provides focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
84
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment proof
lighter than competitors (483g)
above average ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Sports photography info
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography info
58
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery life (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
71
silent shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery (570 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
low maximum shutter speed (1/ seconds)
MP count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Travel photography advice
Sony ZV-E1 Travel photography advice
70
great battery life (460 per charge)
provides focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
79
great battery (570 shots)
lighter than competitors (483 grams)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
selfie friendly display
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography highlights
Sony ZV-E1 Landscape photography highlights
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (460 per charge)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3.00 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great battery (570 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5N Vlogging info
Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging info
33
touchscreen functionality
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
no external mic jack
85
selfie friendly display
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 1920 pixels)
does have external mic socket
lighter than competitors (483g)
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Sony NEX-5N vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5N and Sony ZV-E1
 Sony Alpha NEX-5NSony 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