Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5T — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-5N
48
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-5T
48
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony NEX-5N and Sony NEX-5T are compact mirrorless cameras from the same line, and the newer 2013 NEX-5T brings the practical additions. Sony launched the NEX-5N in 2011, so two years of development sit between these bodies. The bodies are close in size and weight. The NEX-5N measures 111 x 59 x 38 mm and weighs 269 g, against 111 x 59 x 39 mm and 276 g for the NEX-5T, so the newer model is 7 g heavier. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 24, 2011 | August 27, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 111 x 59 x 38 mm | 111 x 59 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 269 g | 276 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe NEX-5T is the stronger choice for framing subjects away from the centre, offering 99 autofocus points against 25 on the NEX-5N. With roughly four times the AF points, the 5T gives you far more places to position your focus area. That helps with candid portraits, active children, or any composition where the subject sits off-centre. The core stills specs are shared. Both offer a 16.1 MP APS-C sensor and 10 fps continuous shooting, so a bird in flight or a sprinting athlete gets the same resolution and burst rate from either body. Both also use the Sony E mount, meaning any E-mount lens you already own fits either camera. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 16.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4912 x 3264 | 4912 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony E | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 |  4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
250300 | 990300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras cap video recording at Full HD, and the fastest frame rate either offers is 60 fps, so your clips stay within the same resolution and frame-rate limits from either body. The NEX-5N records MP4 files, while the NEX-5T records MPEG-4. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MP4 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe NEX-5T offers built-in Wi-Fi, which changes how you move photos off the camera. You can transfer images straight to a phone or tablet for sharing, without pulling the memory card or connecting a cable. The NEX-5N has no Wi-Fi, so its transfers need a card or a cable. Most handling features are shared. Both have a 3-inch tilting touch LCD for waist-level and overhead shots, and both support an external flash while omitting a built-in one. Neither has GPS for geotagging travel photos, and neither offers weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe NEX-5N is the clear pick for long shooting days, rated at 460 shots per charge against 330 for the NEX-5T. That 130-shot gap in the ratings matters for a full day of sightseeing when you carry no charger. Storage choices are identical. Both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, with a single slot and no USB charging on either body. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NPFW50 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
460 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony NEX-5T if you share photos from your phone or often focus on off-centre subjects. Its Wi-Fi transfers and 99 AF points suit family photos, travel and social sharing. Choose the Sony NEX-5N when endurance matters more, such as multi-day hikes or long events, where its 460-shot rating beats the 5T's 330. Both capture 16.1 MP APS-C stills, so the choice comes down to wireless workflow against battery rating.