• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 60.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Leica M11

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $8995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.76 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
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Leica M11 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • 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
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    2333k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    60.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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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.

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
Leica M11
Sony NEX-3
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

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
Leica M11
Sony NEX-C3
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-5N
Samsung NX200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Leica M11
Samsung NX200
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N
Canon EOS M
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Leica M11
Canon EOS M
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

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
Leica M11
Sony NEX-5R
  • $8995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
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