• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Canon S100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Better color depth
    23.6 vs 20.7 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,079 vs 153 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.23 vs 0.57 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon S100 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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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.

  • Slimmer than past models; 12-megapixel resolution sensor improves on image quality across ISO range; Video includes 1080p, autofocus, and zoom during recording; HDR mode works well.

  • Costs $30 more; Slight buzz when zooming while recording video; Grip isn't as useful as it could be; Slow autofocus.

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 S100
Sony NEX-3
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon S95

Sony NEX-5N
Canon S95
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon S100
Canon S95
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Higher extended ISO

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 S100
Sony NEX-C3
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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 S100
Sony NEX-5R
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon S110

Sony NEX-5N
Canon S110
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon S100
Canon S110
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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