Sony NEX-5R vs Sony NEX-5T — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-5R
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-5R and the Sony NEX-5T are compact mirrorless cameras released a year apart, and their bodies measure identically at 111 x 59 x 39 mm and 276 g. Neither one is the smaller or lighter carry. The NEX-5R arrived in August 2012 and the NEX-5T in August 2013, so the 5T is the later model in an identically sized body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 29, 2012 | August 27, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 111 x 59 x 39 mm | 111 x 59 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 276 g | 276 g |
| Optics | 48/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsMatching 16.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor specifications give both cameras the same resolution and the same latitude for cropping a distant subject or printing large. The Sony E mount is shared, so one E-mount lens collection serves either body without adapters. Both cameras handle quick subjects the same way, with 10 fps continuous shooting for a running child or a leaping dog and 99 autofocus points spread across the frame. Neither body offers in-body stabilisation or a viewfinder, so you compose every shot on the rear screen. | ||
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. |
990300 | 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 ComparisonVideoYour editing software is the practical decider, because the NEX-5R records AVCHD and MP4 while the NEX-5T records MPEG-4. Pick the 5R if your archive or editor prefers AVCHD clips. The recording limits then match, with both cameras capped at Full HD resolution and a 60 fps maximum frame rate for smooth handheld family clips. Neither offers built-in timelapse. | ||
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. |
AVCHD, MP4 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesTilting touchscreens and Wi-Fi give both cameras the same casual shooting appeal: flip the 3-inch LCD up for self-portraits or down for low angles, then send images straight to a phone. The screens differ slightly in dot count, with 921,600 dots on the NEX-5T against 920,000 on the NEX-5R. Neither has a built-in flash, GPS or weather sealing, though both accept an external flash for indoor work. | ||
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe cards and batteries you already own work in either body. Both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards alongside Memory Stick Pro Duo media, and both carry a 330-shot battery rating. Neither charges over USB, so pack the external charger and a spare battery for a full day of shooting. A single card slot is all either body offers. | ||
| 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. |
330 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Both cameras suit the same photographic work, from travel and street shooting to family stills and Full HD video, because their sensor specifications, drive speeds and battery ratings match. The recording format is the main workflow difference: choose the NEX-5R if you want AVCHD alongside MP4, or the NEX-5T if MPEG-4 clips suit your editing. Either body is a sound choice for an E-mount photographer once that format question is settled.