• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Canon 80D

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    465g vs 1270g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon 80D advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 960 vs 430 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.08 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    53 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-5N

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 80D
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All 80D Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Fast autofocus and prefocused shutter lag; Quieter shutter sound; Captures 10 frames per second; Supports AVCHD 2.0.

  • Limited first-party lens selection; Slow and confusing on-screen user interface; top-mounted, proprietary accessories are quite pricey.

  • Read our Sony NEX-5N Review

  • Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.

  • New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).

  • Read our Canon 80D Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-3

Canon 80D
Sony NEX-3
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony NEX-3

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-C3

Canon 80D
Sony NEX-C3
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

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

Canon 80D
Sony NEX-5R
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 80D vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D7200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon D7200

Canon 80D
Nikon D7200
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Nikon D7500

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon D7500
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon D7500

Canon 80D
Nikon D7500
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7500

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