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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5N
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Later Model is Sony A57
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Sony NEX-5R versus Sony A55, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both created by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-5R (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The NEX-5R was manufactured 2 years later than the A55 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the NEX-5R scores against the A55 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony A55

 NEX-5R A55 
ReleasedAugust 2012August 2010More recent by 25 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Sony NEX-5R

 A55 NEX-5R 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony NEX-5R and Sony A55

 NEX-5R A55 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Sony NEX-5R provides physical measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) and the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check the Sony NEX-5R versus Sony A55 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the NEX-5R versus the A55.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NEX-5R and A55 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing specs. The graphic here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the NEX-5R and A55.

All in all, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same megapixels and you can expect similar quality of photos however you should factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher NEX-5R provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography highlights
Sony A55 Portrait photography highlights
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony NEX-5R
Street photography with Sony A55
80
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
77
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Sports photography camera
Sony A55 as a Sports photography camera
68
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery pack (380 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Travel photography factors
Sony A55 Travel photography factors
73
provides focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
62
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (380 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A55 as a Landscape photography camera
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
67
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
bad battery pack (380 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Vlogging camera
Sony A55 as a Vlogging camera
31
touch screen
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone support
78
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic support
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Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5R and Sony A55
 Sony Alpha NEX-5RSony SLT-A55
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-5R Sony SLT-A55
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-08-29 2010-08-24
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 99 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 121 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 276 gr (0.61 pounds) 500 gr (1.10 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 73
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 12.4
DXO Low light rating 910 816
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 380 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NPFW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
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/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $750 $800