• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Sony NEX-VG10 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Sony NEX-VG10

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 294 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    465g vs 1300g
    Lighter weight
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 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
  • 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-C3

Sony NEX-VG10
Sony NEX-C3
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-VG10
Sony NEX-5R
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Sony NEX-5N
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung NX1

Sony NEX-VG10
Samsung NX1
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony NEX-5N
Samsung NX1
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony NEX-VG10
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony NEX-5N
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-M1X

Sony NEX-VG10
Olympus E-M1X
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2349
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Sony NEX-5N
Olympus E-M1X
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2349
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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