• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
  • Sony Alpha NEX-5
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Sony Alpha NEX-5 webpage
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Sony NEX-5N
NEX-5 vs NEX-5N
General
Model Number: DSLR-A230 NEX-5
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $549.00 $699.99
Street Price:   $699.99
Date Available: 2009-06-15 2010-07-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 25.6 oz (725 g)
includes batteries
17.7 oz (502 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.7 in.
(128 x 97 x 68 mm)
4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 in.
(111 x 60 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.2 14.2
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 6.12 microns 5.16 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63 69
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.3 22.2
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.4 12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 531 796
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP, Other),
2896 x 1936 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9),
2896 x 1632 (4.7 MP, Other),
1920 x 1088 (2.1 MP, Other)
4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG, .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.4 2.7
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i)
1440x1080 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD or MPEG-4
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Sony E
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm 49.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 10x Precision digital zoom with prime lens attached
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.83x mag., 16.5mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter (Optional FDA-SV1 optical viewfinder available with 16mm FOV)
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.55x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.83x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,400 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 12.0x 13.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 100  
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment honeycomb pattern, center-weighted, spot Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Smart Accessory Terminal (flash is detachable)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVCHD or MPEG-4
Included Memory:    
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC:
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wireless Optional IR Wireless
Connections (extended): DC input, min-HDMI Mini HDMI (Type C)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48 0.77
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.78 0.77
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 17
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.4 2.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 21 38
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.19 seconds 0.44 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.44 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.182 seconds 0.257 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.75 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.107 seconds 0.115 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus Wide Area AF lag = 0.204s Full Autofocus, Single-area AF mode, 16mm f/2.8 lens = 0.448 second
Startup Time: 0.6 seconds 1.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 1.0 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.2 seconds 2.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   330 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 510 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FH50 Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FH50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM PMB (Picture Motion Browser) 4.3.01 Image Data Converter SR 3.1 Image Data Lightbox SR
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows 2000/XP/Vista; Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: SteadyShot Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization. Available in black or silver.