• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Nikon P7800

  • 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)
  • Better color depth
    23.6 vs 21.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,079 vs 200 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 50 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.23 vs 0.42 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon P7800 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Less expensive
    $550 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

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.

  • Excellent image quality for a 1/1.7" sensor; Versatile 28-200mm eq. lens with fast f/2-4 max aperture; Built-in EVF; Fully articulating LCD; Generous set of physical controls; Built-in flash with wireless support; Standard dedicated hot shoe; Full HD and slo-mo movies.

  • Slow cycle times and buffer clearing with RAW files; Shallow burst mode buffer; Mediocre autofocus speed and shutter lag; Sluggish UI at times; Slow to switch to movie mode; Optical zoom not supported during movie recording when using manual exposure modes; No built-in Wi-Fi.

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
Nikon P7800
Sony NEX-3
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Nikon P7800
Sony NEX-C3
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon P7700

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon P7700
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon P7800
Nikon P7700
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Higher-res screen

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
Nikon P7800
Sony NEX-5R
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon G16

Sony NEX-5N
Canon G16
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon P7800
Canon G16
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
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