• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 61.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Sigma fp L

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $2499 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.78 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/15 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Sigma fp L 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.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    3 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
  • More pixels
    61.0 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 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

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.

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
Sigma fp L
Sony NEX-3
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • 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
Sigma fp L
Sony NEX-C3
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • 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
Sigma fp L
Sony NEX-5R
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sigma fp

Sony NEX-5N
Sigma fp
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sigma fp L
Sigma fp
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Newer
  • More pixels
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync

Compared to Sony A7C

Sony NEX-5N
Sony A7C
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1497
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Sigma fp L
Sony A7C
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More dots on screen
  • $1497
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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