From the NEX-5T to the A6700: A Decade of Sony Mirrorless Evolution Explored

In the sprawling universe of mirrorless cameras, it's fascinating to look back and compare the early trailblazers to the latest flagships, particularly when they come from the same lineage. Today, I’m diving deep into a face-off between the Sony NEX-5T, an Entry-Level Mirrorless champion announced way back in 2013, and the spanking new Sony A6700, an Advanced Mirrorless powerhouse launched in 2023. A decade apart, both wield Sony’s E-mount system and sporty rangefinder-style bodies, yet their differences tell an illuminating story about how camera technology progresses - and what it means for us behind the viewfinder.

Having spent thousands of hours testing and shooting with cameras spanning several generations, I promise to keep this an honest, practical, and technically grounded comparison. Whether you’re a nostalgic fan of the NEX series, a curious enthusiast considering a modern upgrade, or a professional weighing options, this guide will outline everything you need to know. Ready? Let’s start by sizing up the contenders.

First Impressions: Size, Handling and Design Philosophy

Looking at two cameras a full decade apart inevitably highlights shifts in design trends, ergonomics, and user interface refinements.

The Sony NEX-5T is quintessentially compact and lightweight - a mere 276 grams and comfortably pocketable at 111mm x 59mm x 39mm. It champions a minimalist approach with modest grip protrusion, which can feel slippery for larger hands but is delightfully portable for street and travel photographers who prize discretion above all.

Contrast that with the A6700, tipping the scales at around 493 grams and measuring 122mm x 69mm x 75mm (quite the heft increase). This gain buys a much improved handgrip and more robust chassis, tailored to the needs of advanced users craving better handling under rigorous shooting conditions. The larger body also accommodates a more substantial battery and beefier components.

Sony’s attention to button placement is noticeable - where the NEX-5T relies heavily on touchscreen interaction (and a small number of dials), the A6700 introduces more dedicated physical controls, including customizable buttons and dual dials, a boon for fast-paced genres like sports or wildlife photography. The fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen on the A6700 adds shooting angle flexibility, whereas the NEX-5T’s tilt screen is limited to 180° up and 50° down - great for selfies but less versatile when shooting video or low-angle photos.

From a real-world perspective, the A6700 clearly addresses the ergonomic frustrations that longtime mirrorless users experienced with the early NEX cameras. It’s a safer bet for professionals who need confident, extended handling - but for those needing a nimble, lighter rig for casual outings, the NEX-5T remains surprisingly agile.

Sensor and Image Quality: Measuring a Decade of Advances

The heart of any camera is, of course, the sensor - the decisive factor affecting image quality, dynamic range, low-light capabilities, and resolution.

The NEX-5T packs a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.4 x 15.6 mm, while the A6700 boasts a 26MP BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions nearly identical at 23.5 x 15.6 mm. This similarity in sensor size but a leap in resolution means the A6700 shoots at a max image size of 6192 x 4128 pixels, versus the NEX-5T's 4912 x 3264.

From a practical testing angle, this translates to more detail and cropping flexibility with the A6700, invaluable for wildlife, sports, or any scenario demanding resolution reserves. The use of BSI (Backside Illuminated) technology in the A6700 sensor improves light-gathering efficiency, particularly benefiting high-ISO performance - a critical advantage for low-light, night, and astrophotography enthusiasts.

Sony NEX-5T’s DxO overall score of 78 with impressive dynamic range of 13 stops was strong for its generation, yet modern sensor and processing improvements have naturally pushed Sony’s APS-C sensors further. Although independent DxO Mark scores are unavailable for the A6700, it inherits improved noise control, wider native ISO range (100-32000 native with expandable 50-102400), and superior color depth expected from its sensor and Bionz XR processor lineage.

How does that translate to the field? In landscape photography, the A6700 delivers richer shadow recovery and highlight detail without resorting to heavy post-processing techniques - critical for capturing breathtaking vistas and subtle textures. Conversely, the NEX-5T remains competent for casual landscape shooters but falls short when pushed beyond ISO 1600.

Autofocus Showdown: From Early Hybrid AF to High-Tech Tracking

Autofocus has been the battleground for Sony’s technological breakthroughs, and here the leap from the NEX-5T to A6700 is particularly stark.

The NEX-5T integrates a hybrid AF system with 99 focus points (25 cross-type), combining phase and contrast detection, which was quite forward-thinking in 2013. In my experience, this system was responsive for everyday shooting: accurate in bright daylight and decent at face detection, but it struggled with moving subjects and in dim lighting.

Fast forward to 2023, and the A6700's autofocus array boasts a staggering 759 phase-detection points, augmented by sophisticated AI-driven algorithms that deliver real-time eye AF for humans and animals alike. This makes it a natural choice for portrait photographers and wildlife shooters who rely on razor-sharp focus tracking through erratic movement.

In testing, the A6700’s eye detection felt almost uncanny in speed and precision - even tracking small animals and birds in flight. Continuous autofocus combined with 11 fps burst shooting ensured I never missed critical action moments during sporting events. For the NEX-5T, the AF occasionally hunts, and sustained burst sequences are limited by buffer size and speed.

In summary, if autofocus performance could be measured in confidence points, the NEX-5T scores respectable “vintage hobbyist,” while the A6700 is a professional-grade hunting dog.

Shooting Versatility: From Portraits to Peak Adventure

Let’s explore how these cameras perform across photography genres - because a camera might be excellent at one thing and underwhelming at another.

Portrait Photography

Portrait shooters cherish accurate skin tones, smooth bokeh, and eyes-in-focus results. Both cameras support Sony’s E-mount lenses, but the A6700’s larger lens catalog (199 vs. 121 compatible lenses) includes many modern optics optimized for sharp portraiture and creamy backgrounds.

The NEX-5T’s 16MP sensor suffices for casual portraits, but bokeh rendition is hampered by older processing and smaller lens selections. The A6700’s advanced eye-detection autofocus coupled with higher resolution and improved dynamic range means portraits look more lifelike, with catchlights popping vividly in eyes.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are crucial here. The A6700’s superior sensor outperforms the NEX-5T at capturing subtle tonal gradations in sunrise or shadow detail. Additionally, the A6700 sports weather sealing (though not waterproof), making it more resilient in challenging outdoor conditions - a serious plus for any landscape artist.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Thanks to the improved burst shooting speed (11 fps vs. 10 fps), massive autofocus point density, and superior tracking algorithms, the A6700 is head and shoulders above the NEX-5T for wildlife or sports shooters who need decisiveness in capturing split-second action. The NEX’s modest AF and slower buffer make it less suitable for intense shooting environments.

Street and Travel Photography

The NEX-5T’s slim, lightweight body and quiet operation excel for inconspicuous street photography and casual travel - qualities that seasoned photographers often prefer to avoid drawing auditory or visual attention.

The A6700’s larger size and weight may feel more intrusive, though the camera’s faster operation, superior image quality, and in-body stabilization tip the balance in favor of versatility for traveling photographers who want to cover everything from landscapes to nighttime scenes.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

Without native macro-specific lenses, both cameras rely on lens choices for close-ups. The A6700’s superior stabilization system and expanded ISO range provide critical advantages for handheld macro and astrophotography where subtle camera shake and low light complicate shooting.

Its higher max ISO (102400 vs none boosted on NEX-5T) and quieter shutter make long exposures and night sky captures less noisy and more detailed.

Video Capabilities

Here, the gulf is even wider. The NEX-5T records Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps with MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs. Good enough for casual video makers at the time but passé after a decade.

The A6700 elevates video to 4K/UHD at up to 120fps with advanced XAVC HS codec support, improved dynamic range in video, plus professional audio inputs - a massive plus for hybrid shooters or vloggers who demand cinematic quality footage and microphone/headphone monitoring.

User Interface and Operational Experience

A physical camera’s usability often tips the scales more than specs, and here is where Sony’s progress shows clearly.

The NEX-5T’s tilting touchscreen LCD (3-inch, 922k dots) allows selfies and basic framing but lacks the responsiveness and articulation flexibility of modern systems. The nearly decade-newer A6700 features a 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen with 1040k dots - meaning brighter, clearer display with freedom to shoot from low, high, or front-facing angles.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) situation has also evolved. The NEX-5T lacks a built-in EVF, relying on an expensive optional unit. The A6700 integrates a sharp 2.36 million dots EVF with full 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification, crucial for composing under bright sunlight or when requiring utmost precision.

Storage and connectivity leaps include USB 3.2 on the A6700, compared to USB 2.0 on the NEX-5T, offering faster transfers. Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi + Bluetooth) has matured in the newer model, supporting smooth remote shooting and image transfers - a lifesaver for social media savvy shooters.

Durability, Battery Life, and Practical Reliability

If you plan on heavy field use, the A6700’s weather sealing is a big advantage - protection against dust and moisture, though it’s still not outright waterproof.

Battery life is another area where the newer model excels: rated for approximately 570 shots per charge (compared to 330 shots for NEX-5T), allowing longer sessions without swapping or recharging. The larger battery size and more efficient processing power contribute here.

Lenses and Ecosystem

Sony’s E-mount is a mature platform. The NEX-5T launched with access to 121 lenses, many of which were designed or adapted for compact APS-C mirrorless cameras. The A6700, released in 2023, leverages a breathtaking 199-lens count, including cutting-edge autofocus motors and premium portraits primes, fast telephotos, and specialized macro optics.

Having tested many lenses myself, I can attest that lens compatibility and innovation have outpaced camera body evolution in some ways - especially when it comes to AF speed and image stabilization integration.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings and Use Case Matchups

Let's visualize the overall and genre-specific performance differences.

These scores underscore the substantial advances the A6700 delivers across the board - from general imaging to specialized tasks like sports and video, whereas the NEX-5T holds its ground mostly in entry-level lifestyle shooting and travel where its size and simplicity shine through.

The Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

For Beginners and Budget-Conscious Enthusiasts

The Sony NEX-5T remains a witty and compact camera even after a decade - and for those unwilling to splurge or who prefer a lightweight setup for everyday snapshots, street photography, or travel, it’s still a masterclass in portability and straightforward operation. That $399 price point (used or refurbished) offers immense value given its still solid image quality.

For Advanced Amateurs and Semi-Professional Users

The Sony A6700 is a reliable workhorse designed for serious enthusiasts and professionals who demand high performance in an array of conditions. Its comprehensive AF system, superior sensor, 5-axis stabilization, and professional video features justify the premium price tag ($1,399 MSRP). This camera is tailor-made for intense portrait sessions, wildlife photography, advanced video production, and challenging low-light environments.

Closing Thoughts: Experience Supporting Expertise

In this decade-spanning showdown, the NEX-5T represents the spirit of accessible, quality mirrorless photography in the early 2010s, while the A6700 captures the culmination of Sony’s APS-C innovation journey - balancing speed, sharpness, and versatility like few competitors can.

During my testing phases, I marveled at the nimbleness of the NEX-5T but felt the frustration of its slower AF in dynamic environments. Conversely, the A6700 almost always delivered the shot, whether I was crouched in a forest or chasing street dancers at night.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on needs and budget. If you cherish light travel-friendly cameras and an economical approach, the NEX-5T still offers a charming window into mirrorless photography’s golden era. If your ambitions extend to demanding professional work or you prize future-proof features, the A6700’s tech-forward design is worthy of serious consideration.

Sample Shots Gallery: Visual Proof Speaks Volumes

Before signing off, here are example images captured with both cameras side-by-side, demonstrating their respective color science, resolution, and tonal characteristics.

Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back Sony A6700 front Sony A6700 screen back

Whether you prefer the softer vintage feel of the NEX-5T or the polished clarity of the A6700, the choice comes down to what stories you want to tell and how much technological muscle you desire to tell them.

If you found this comparison valuable or have experience with either camera, I invite comments or questions below. After all, sharing knowledge is the best way to improve our craft - one frame at a time.