Sony A65 vs Sony NEX-5R

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Sony A65 vs Sony NEX-5R

APS-C 369.7mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A65 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A65.

APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-5R Review.

Succeeded by the Sony NEX-5T
Compare NEX-5R vs NEX-5T
Compare Sony A65 vs Sony NEX-5T

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Differences

Sony A65 advantages over Sony NEX-5R

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

510 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Sony NEX-5R advantages over Sony A65

Less expensive
$750 vs $1000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.78 vs 3.95 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NEX-5R test data on DxO Mark A65 test data on DxO Mark

910 vs 717 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
38 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
466g vs 846g
Lighter weight

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read A65 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read NEX-5R User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A65

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55m Lens

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Buy the Sony NEX-5R

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A65.
Read our Sony A65 Initial Test

We haven’t reviewed the Sony NEX-5R.
Read our Sony NEX-5R Preview

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony A65

Sony NEX-5N

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A65 vs Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A65

Nikon D3200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D3200

Sony NEX-5R

Nikon D3200

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony A65

Canon EOS M

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A65 vs Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Canon EOS M

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65

Nikon D5200

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Nikon D5200

Sony NEX-5R

Nikon D5200

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A65

Sony A58

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in GPS

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony A65 vs Sony A58

Sony NEX-5R

Sony A58

$499
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5R vs Sony A58

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