• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 45.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Sigma DP2 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 58 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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma DP2 Merrill advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony NEX-3
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony NEX-C3
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-5N
Samsung NX200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Samsung NX200
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher-res screen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N
Canon EOS M
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Canon EOS M
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

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
Sigma DP2 Merrill
Sony NEX-5R
  • $3194
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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