• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Canon 5DS R

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.14 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Canon 5DS R advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    24.6 vs 22.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,308 vs 796 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    10 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.27 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.8 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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

  • Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.

  • AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Canon 5DS R
Sony NEX-3
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX100

Sony NEX-5
Samsung NX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 5DS R
Samsung NX100
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon 5DS R
Sony NEX-C3
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon D810

Sony NEX-5
Nikon D810
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2251
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Nikon D810
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2251
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon 5DS

Sony NEX-5
Canon 5DS
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Canon 5DS
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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