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Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55

Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Sony NEX-5T
(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 2013
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-5R
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2010
  • Renewed by Sony A57
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Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are offered by Sony. The sensor resolution of the NEX-5T (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The NEX-5T was revealed 3 years later than the A55 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the NEX-5T scores against the A55 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 NEX-5T A55 
AnnouncedAugust 2013August 2010More recent by 37 months
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 A55 NEX-5T 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

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

 NEX-5T A55 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Sony NEX-5T comes with exterior dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs) while the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Contrast the Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the NEX-5T compared to the A55.

Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-5T and A55 is 89 and 67 respectively.

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

Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through technical specs. The photograph below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the NEX-5T and A55.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files although you will need to take the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher NEX-5T provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony NEX-5T as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A55 as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony NEX-5T Street photography advice
Sony A55 Street photography advice
80
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
77
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-5T Sports photography details
Sony A55 Sports photography details
69
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (380 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony NEX-5T
Travel photography with Sony A55
77
offers touch focus
good resolution (16MP)
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse function
62
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (380 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5T
Landscape photography with Sony A55
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
67
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
bad battery life (380 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony NEX-5T
Vlogging with Sony A55
73
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
78
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic socket
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Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-5T and Sony A55
 Sony Alpha NEX-5TSony SLT-A55
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha NEX-5T Sony SLT-A55
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-08-27 2010-08-24
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4912 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 99 15
Cross focus points 25 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 121 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 922 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
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
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (ISO100) 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
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 276g (0.61 lb) 500g (1.10 lb)
Physical 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 score 78 73
DXO Color Depth score 23.6 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 12.4
DXO Low light score 1015 816
Other
Battery life 330 images 380 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NPFW50 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $400 $800