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Sony Alpha NEX-5N · Photo source
Sony · Alpha
Alpha NEX-5N
Sony's NEX-5N combines a 16.1 MP APS-C sensor, tilting touchscreen, electronic first-curtain shutter and Full HD progressive video in a small E-mount body.
- Type
- Mirrorless
- Sensor
- APS-C
- Megapixels
- 16.1
- Lens
- Sony E-mount
- Video
- 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
- Body weight
- 210 g
What reviewers say
PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs praised low-light image quality, fast bursts and Full HD progressive video. Both welcomed the touchscreen and customisation, with PhotographyBlog particularly impressed by reduced shutter lag. CameraLabs was more critical of the menu organisation and single-use accessory port. The small body was appealing, though the large kit zoom reduced its practical portability.
From photographyblog.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com and cameralabs.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specImage and sensor
- Camera type
- Mirrorless
- Sensor format
- APS-C
- Sensor type
- Exmor APS HD CMOS
- Sensor dimensions
- 23.5 × 15.6 mm
- Effective resolution
- 16.1 MP
- Largest image
- 4912 × 3264
- RAW recording
- Yes
- Standard ISO range
- 100–25600
- Sensor detail
- 16.7 million total pixels; charge-protection coating and ultrasonic vibration for dust reduction
- Image formats
- JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; ARW 2.2; MPO for 3D Sweep Panorama
- ISO detail
- Standard ISO 100–25600; Auto ISO 100–3200
- Image processor
- BIONZ
Lens and shooting
- Lens mount
- Sony E-mount
- Stabilisation
- Optical lens stabilisation
- Maximum continuous burst
- 10 fps
- Lens detail
- E-mount; launch kits use E 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 OSS and/or E 16mm F2.8; the later double-zoom kit adds E 55–210mm F4.5–6.3 OSS. Optional LA-EA2 provides phase-detection AF for compatible A-mount lenses.
- Autofocus
- Contrast detection with 25 points; single or continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; object tracking, touch focus and focus peaking
- Shutter
- Vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter with switchable electronic first curtain; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
- Burst detail
- Approximately 10 fps Speed Priority Continuous with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame. Sony specifies approximately 3 fps normal continuous advance and buffers of 10 JPEG, 6 RAW or 4 RAW+JPEG images under its stated conditions.
- Stabilisation detail
- No sensor-shift stabilisation (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs); optical correction requires a compatible OSS lens
- Flash
- Supplied HVL-F7S detachable flash; guide number 7 at ISO 100 in metres; approximately four-second recycle time
- Exposure controls
- Intelligent Auto and PASM; Photo Creativity Touch, Picture Effects, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, DRO, Auto HDR and multi-exposure low-light modes
Video
- Highest video resolution
- 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
- Video detail
- Japanese model records AVCHD 2.0 Full HD at 60p up to 28 Mbps, 60i or 24p; PAL-region models offer 50p (CameraLabs). Manual aperture and shutter control is available during recording. MP4 offers 1440 × 1080 or VGA; interlaced field rates are separate from full-frame rates.
- Audio
- Built-in stereo microphones; wind-noise filter; Dolby Digital or AAC-LC; proprietary accessory microphone support
Screen and viewfinder
- Viewfinder
- None
- Screen size
- 3″
- Screen dots
- 921,600
- Touchscreen
- Yes
- Tilting screen
- Yes
- Display detail
- Capacitive TruBlack touchscreen; tilts approximately 80° up and 45° down
- Viewfinder detail
- No built-in finder; optional FDA-EV1S OLED electronic finder uses Smart Accessory Terminal 2
Connections and design
- Battery life (maker's claim)
- 430 photographs
- Body weight
- 210 g
- Release detail
- Sony Japan specifies 9 September 2011 for the body, NEX-5NK zoom kit and NEX-5ND double-lens kit; the later NEX-5NY double-zoom kit followed on 18 May 2012.
- Recording media
- Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
- Ports
- USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, Mini HDMI Type C and Smart Accessory Terminal 2
- Battery life detail
- NP-FW50; Sony's Japanese launch sheet specifies approximately 430 CIPA photographs. CameraLabs gives 410 shots; the maker's launch figure is used here.
- Charging
- Supplied BC-VW1 external charger; optional AC-PW20AM power supply
- Dimensions
- Approximately 110.8 × 58.8 × 38.2 mm (width × height × depth); 23.3 mm thinnest section excludes grip and mount
- Weight detail
- Approximately 210 g camera only; 269 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; lens excluded
- Materials
- Magnesium-alloy front and top covers
- Colours
- Black body; black, silver or white kits in Japan
- In the box
- NP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, USB cable, detachable flash and case, lens cap, shoulder strap and software CD; lenses depend on kit
Pros and cons
Pros
- RAW recording and manual-focus peaking
- Tilting touchscreen with touch focus
- Full HD progressive video with manual exposure
Cons
- No built-in viewfinder or sensor stabilisation
- Accessory terminal takes only one accessory at a time
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Sensor | Megapixels | Lens | Video | Body weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirrorless | APS-C | 16.2 | Sony E-mount | 1280 × 720 at 30 fps | 225 g | Jun 2011 | |
| Mirrorless | APS-C | 14.2 | Sony E-mount | 1280 × 720 at 30 fps | 239 g | Jun 2010 | |
| Mirrorless | APS-C | 14.2 | Sony E-mount | 1920 × 1080 | 229 g | Jun 2010 |
Sources
- sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201108/11-0824D
- photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_nex_5n_review
- cameralabs.com/sony_alpha_nex_5n
Photo: sony.jp
- Sony Alpha NEX-5N black, silver and white cameras shown together in the maker-labelled finish lineup: Sony Japan, exact NEX-5N product/press context; complete supplied composition and background retained.
