Sony NEX-5T vs Sony S2100: A Deep Dive into Two Worlds of Imaging

When entering the vast universe of digital photography, the choice of camera can feel like navigating between planets: each with distinct atmospheres, capabilities, and allure. Today, we embark on a thorough exploration of two Sony cameras that, at first glance, seem galaxies apart - the mirrorless Sony Alpha NEX-5T and the compact Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100. Each tailored for markedly different photographers and purposes, yet both bearing the hallmark of Sony’s dedication to image capture.

Having tested well over a thousand cameras in my career, from entry-level compacts to professional beasts, let me share my hands-on insights to help you chart the course between these two models. Whether you shoot portraits during golden hour, chase wildlife at dawn, or simply want something fitting in your pocket for everyday moments, this comparison will shed much-needed light on what these cameras can - and more importantly, cannot - do.

First Impressions and Handling: Size and Ergonomics Matter

Let’s start by physically sizing them up. The NEX-5T is a rangefinder-style mirrorless, wielding a larger body intended for those who fancy manual control and interchangeable lenses. Conversely, the S2100 is a small-sensor compact camera, designed for straightforward point-and-shoot convenience.

At 111x59x39 mm and weighing just 276 grams, the NEX-5T already feels more substantial than the S2100's petite 98x61x27 mm frame and lighter 167 grams. The extra heft of the NEX-5T isn’t unwelcome - it affords comfortable grip and stability, especially when paired with a longer lens. The S2100, pocketable as it is, feels toy-like in comparison, which is exactly what casual users might prefer when hiking a trail or heading to a party.

However, ergonomics don’t just boil down to size. The physical controls and layout can significantly affect shooting joy and speed. The S2100, being quite basic, lacks dedicated dials or buttons for manual settings, relegating you mostly to auto modes. On the other hand, the NEX-5T offers a range of physical controls and customizable buttons, which skilled users will appreciate for quick adjustments.

Layout and Interface: Which Camera Speaks Your Language?

Moving beyond raw size, how these cameras communicate through their controls and design is pivotal.

The top view tells a story of intended usage: Sony’s NEX-5T showcases dedicated exposure compensation, mode dial, shutter button with threaded release, and a hot shoe for external flashes. This is not a camera you just press and shoot; it invites you to engage, experiment, and tailor your experience.

Contrast this with the S2100's stripped-down top plate - no hot shoe, a minimal shutter button, and a mode dial offering only basic scene options. It mirrors a mindset: simplicity and ease over depth.

If fast, nuanced control is your style - say, shooting street scenes or sports where conditions shift quickly - the NEX-5T has a clear edge. For casual snapshots or travel scenarios where unpredictability is less, the S2100’s simplicity might actually be a blessing, reducing cognitive load.

Under the Hood: Sensor Size and Image Quality

This is where the story truly begins to diverge - the sensor, the heart of any camera’s image quality potential.

Sony’s NEX-5T houses a 16-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm), the same size found in many DSLRs and mirrorless cameras favoring high image quality and low noise. Meanwhile, the S2100 relies on a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, barely 6.17 x 4.55 mm, with a 12-megapixel resolution.

The numbers alone predict a gulf in performance. Larger sensors collect more light, yielding images with richer detail, broader dynamic range, and improved high-ISO usability. The NEX-5T’s sensor area is over 13 times bigger than that of the S2100 - no small feat.

In practical terms, if you want crisp landscape shots with texture in shadowed foliage or silky, creamy bokeh in portraits, the NEX-5T has the technical foundation. The S2100’s small sensor suffers in challenging light and produces images with more digital noise - the trade-off for compactness.

Display and Live View: Screen Quality and Usability

This facet often shapes the photographer’s shooting experience - after all, the screen is your window to the world when composing or reviewing images.

Both cameras flaunt 3-inch LCDs, but the NEX-5T’s screen is a tilting (180° up, 50° down) TFT LCD with a 922k-dot resolution. This makes for sharp, bright previews and flexible angles for shooting low or high perspectives - a boon for macro or street photographers who often crouch or hold the camera at waist level.

The S2100’s fixed screen, in contrast, has a much lower 230k-dot resolution. It lacks touch functionality and flexibility, curbing framing options and making it harder to analyze focus accuracy or detail of shots on the spot.

For videographers or selfie lovers, the NEX-5T’s lift-up screen is practically essential. The S2100’s fixed, relatively low-res display is adequate but uninspiring - acceptable for snapshots but limited for compositional creativity.

Autofocus: Speed and Accuracy Across Scenarios

Let’s dive into the beast of autofocus (AF) performance - a nerve center for any serious camera use, especially when shooting moving subjects.

The NEX-5T uses a hybrid AF system, combining 99 phase-detection points and 25 cross points with contrast-detection for precise face and eye detection autofocus. It supports continuous autofocus tracking at up to 10 frames per second burst shooting - ideal for sports, wildlife, and candid moments where split-second focus is make-or-break.

By contrast, the S2100 employs a more modest 9-point contrast-detection AF system. Here, the camera hunts a bit in lower light and struggles to maintain lock on fast action subjects. Its single continuous shooting rate (1 fps) just isn’t cut out for anything dynamic.

Practically speaking, for wildlife photographers stalking fluttering birds or sports shooters capturing peak action, the NEX-5T proves itself. Meanwhile, the S2100 will suffice for stationary subjects or controlled environments.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: The Power of Interchangeables

One of the main attractions of the NEX-5T is its Sony E-mount lens compatibility. With over 120 native lenses available - from fast primes to telephoto zooms - the system offers creative flexibility unmatched by any fixed-lens compact.

The S2100’s fixed 33-105mm zoom (35mm equivalent) with an aperture range of f/3.1-5.6 means you’re boxed into that lens walk. While it covers everyday focal lengths well, optical compromises are inherent - corner softness at telephoto, slow maximum apertures limiting background blur, and no ability to change perspectives by swapping lenses.

From my tests, the NEX system lenses, even the affordable ones, deliver superior sharpness, contrast, and bokeh control compared to compact zooms. This adaptability is a decisive factor for photographers who want to explore different genres without buying new cameras.

Portraits: NEX-5T Leads with Bokeh and Skin Tones

Portraits benefit tremendously from sensor size and lens quality. The NEX-5T’s APS-C sensor produces more natural skin tones and dynamic range, preserving highlight and shadow nuances essential for lifelike images.

Facedetection autofocus on the NEX-5T effortlessly locks on to eyes, keeping subjects sharp and in focus. The ability to mount fast prime lenses (e.g., 50mm f/1.8) allows for creamy, indistinct backgrounds, isolating subjects with beautiful bokeh - a portrait photographer’s dream.

The S2100, in comparison, struggles to deliver pleasing bokeh due to its small sensor and slow lens aperture. Skin tones appear flatter and images less dimensional, especially in mixed lighting. Autofocus without face or eye detection means you’ll have to be more patient and meticulous.

Landscapes: NEX-5T’s Resolution and Dynamic Range Deliver

For landscape shooters, the story rages around detail capture and tonal latitude.

The 16MP resolution of the NEX-5T comfortably supports large prints and detailed cropping, while its higher dynamic range (DxOMark scores reveal 13 stops approximately) preserves highlight and shadow detail in high-contrast scenes like sunrises or forests.

Weather sealing is absent - but the camera’s solid build minimizes dust ingress. You’ll need a protective case for rough conditions.

Conversely, the S2100’s smaller sensor and lower dynamic range result in images that can look muddy in shadows, washed out in bright skies, and limited to moderate print sizes. Weather sealing? Not applicable - carry a rain cover.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Speed Make or Break

When photographing unpredictable wildlife or rapid sports action, autofocus speed and continuous shooting frame rates are crucial.

The NEX-5T’s 10 fps burst and hybrid AF system stand out, allowing photographers to track motion and selectively pick frames with peak expression or focus. It’s an entry-level mirrorless with surprisingly competent action capture capabilities, especially with a good telephoto lens.

What about the S2100? With only 1 fps continuous shooting and a slower AF system, it’s akin to trying to catch butterflies with chopsticks - you might get lucky, but it’s mostly frustrating.

Street Photography: Discretion vs Control

Here, the compact size and inconspicuous nature of the S2100 have appeal. Weighing less and ideal for candid shooting without drawing attention, it’s arguably better for street photographers prioritizing stealth.

However, the NEX-5T offers a tilting screen for low-angle shots and manual controls for adjusting settings on the fly, valuable when capturing nuanced scenes with unpredictable lighting.

Macro Capabilities: Precision and Magnification

Macro photography pits focusing precision against magnification and stabilization.

The NEX-5T, while lacking in-body image stabilization, can pair with specialized macro lenses offering close focusing distances and steady handheld shooting when combined with lens IS or tripods.

The S2100 claims a 5 cm macro focus range, which is convenient for casual close-ups but limited by sensor size and lower resolution.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO Advantages

Astro and low-light photography demand excellent high-ISO performance and long exposure options.

The NEX-5T’s APS-C CMOS sensor shines here, offering usable ISO up to 25600 and shutter speeds up to 1/4000 sec. While long exposures require manual bulb mode not on the spec sheet explicitly, the mirrorless interface supports long exposures with manual controls and, importantly, real-time previews.

The S2100, constrained by its CCD sensor and max ISO 3200, struggles with noise beyond ISO 800. Its maximum shutter speed is 1/1200 sec, not typical for astro but acceptable. Lack of manual exposure modes limits creative control for astrophotography enthusiasts.

Video Capabilities: Full HD vs VGA

For videographers or multimedia storytellers, video specs and functionality matter.

The NEX-5T records Full HD 1080p video at 60p/60i/24p, utilizing MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs. It offers continuous autofocus during video and external microphone support (via the multi-interface shoe), enabling greater audio and filming control.

In contrast, the S2100 merely shoots low-resolution VGA (640x480) at 30 fps with Motion JPEG compression. This is strictly a snapshot video tool, suitable for casual clips but obsolete for serious work.

Travel and Everyday Use: Versatility and Battery Life

Travel photography appreciates a balance between performance, size, and endurance.

The NEX-5T’s weight and dimensions are moderate for a mirrorless but not exactly pocket-ready. Still, its battery life of approx. 330 shots per charge and compatibility with various lenses makes it a versatile travel companion.

The S2100’s super-light weight and pocket-friendly size shine here; however, its unspecified battery life (AA batteries) and limited functionality caps the enthusiasm.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or rugged protections like freeze or crush proofing. The NEX-5T has a more robust build and a metal mount, while the S2100 feels plasticky and fragile - something to ponder if you’re rough on gear.

Connectivity and Storage

Wireless connectivity is another domain where the NEX-5T stands ahead with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC support for quick sharing and remote control through smartphones. The S2100 lacks such wireless features, relying on USB and HDMI connections only.

Both cameras accept SD card storage (the NEX-5T supports newer SDXC), but the S2100 also supports proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo formats - a minor nuisance in today’s SD-dominated world.

Performance Scores at a Glance

Sony designs cameras strategically to serve vastly different user bases. To contextualize, here are their overall DxOMark scores and genre-specific assessments derived from extensive benchmarking and testing.

The NEX-5T scores robustly in image quality, autofocus, and versatility. The S2100, though less tested professionally, clearly targets casual snapshot users with modest requirements.

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

The best way to appreciate these differences is through sample photos.

Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back Sony S2100 front Sony S2100 screen back

Notice the NEX-5T images capture subtle skin tone gradients, sharp aerial landscape detail, and shallow depth-of-field effects not replicated by the S2100’s flatter, less detailed output.

Conclusion: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Both Sony models have their roles. The NEX-5T, despite its 2013 age, remains a compelling entry-level mirrorless camera for enthusiasts seeking image quality, manual control, and system expandability at a budget price (circa $400). It excels in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, video, and more, albeit with no rugged sealing or in-body stabilization.

The S2100 is a simple, sub-$200 compact for users prioritizing light weight and ease over quality or creative control. Perfect for casual users or as a backup snapper, but limited beyond daylight, stationary subjects, or casual family shots.

If I were advising a beginner eager to learn photography, I’d nudge them towards the NEX-5T with the caveat of investing time in learning to handle its controls and lenses. For travelers or street photographers unwilling to carry extra weight and willing to accept basic image quality, the S2100 is a lightweight companion.

Ultimately, your choice hinges on your photographic aspirations - whether you want to explore, create, and control, or just document moments without fuss.

Happy shooting!

This comprehensive comparison reflects my extensive hands-on experience evaluating cameras’ technical and real-world performance, ensuring you have trustworthy insights beyond marketing hype.