• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 40,000

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Canon EOS R

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    465g vs 1360g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon EOS R advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,742 vs 1,079 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    30.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    126 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Very good overall image quality; Good dynamic range & very good high ISO performance; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF performance; Sharp native lenses; Great performance with adapted optics; Compact design; Fully articulating LCD.

  • Sensor performance lags behind competition; No In-Body Image Stabilization; Sluggish burst speed with C-AF; Mediocre battery life; No 4Kp60; 1.7x 4K crop; Ergonomics could be better.

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
Canon EOS R
Sony NEX-3
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

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
Canon EOS R
Sony NEX-C3
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

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
Canon EOS R
Sony NEX-5R
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon Z7

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon Z7
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS R
Nikon Z7
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon Z6
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon EOS R
Nikon Z6
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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