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Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1

Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
60
Features
66
Overall
62

Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 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
  • Launched August 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Newer Model is Sony NEX-5T
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched September 2016
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Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Sony and YI. The sensor resolution of the NEX-5R (16MP) and the M1 (20MP) is very similar but the NEX-5R (APS-C) and M1 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The NEX-5R was introduced 5 years prior to the M1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the NEX-5R grades versus the M1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the YI M1

 NEX-5R M1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Sony NEX-5R

 M1 NEX-5R 
LaunchedSeptember 2016August 2012Newer by 49 months
Display resolution1040k920kCrisper display (+120k dot)

Common features in the Sony NEX-5R and YI M1

 NEX-5R M1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony NEX-5R comes with physical dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) while the YI M1 has proportions of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

See the Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the NEX-5R against the M1.

Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5R and M1 is 89 and 87 respectively.

Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by going over technical specs. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5R and M1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The NEX-5R with its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the YI M1 will deliver more detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged NEX-5R is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Portrait photography camera
YI M1 as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
76
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Street photography features
YI M1 Street photography features
80
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch to focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
74
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Sports photography camera
YI M1 as a Sports photography camera
68
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
55
good megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
better than average battery power (450 shots)
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-5R as a Travel photography camera
YI M1 as a Travel photography camera
73
comes with touch to focus
MP count good (16MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
78
better than average battery power (450 shots)
has bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography details
YI M1 Landscape photography details
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (450 shots)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
Vlogging with YI M1
31
has touchscreen
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone port
33
touchscreen capability
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone support
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Sony NEX-5R vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5R and YI M1
 Sony Alpha NEX-5RYI M1
General Information
Brand Name Sony YI
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5R YI M1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-08-29 2016-09-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4912 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 99 81
Lens
Lens mount Sony E Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 121 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 276 grams (0.61 lbs) 350 grams (0.77 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 910 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 450 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $750 $320