• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Sony QX1

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 52 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony QX1 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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.

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
Sony QX1
Sony NEX-3
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • 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
Sony QX1
Sony NEX-C3
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Sony QX1
Sony NEX-5R
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Sony NEX-5N
Samsung NX2000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Sony QX1
Samsung NX2000
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Sony NEX-5N
Samsung NX3300
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More pixels
Sony QX1
Samsung NX3300
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas
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