• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Nikon D5600

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    502g vs 670g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D5600 advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,306 vs 796 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.0 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 970 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 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
    0.11 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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Buy the Nikon D5600

Review Excerpt

  • Compact camera body; Very good touchscreen display; Excellent image quality for its class; Good overall performance.

  • Not many improvements compared to its predecessor, with some downgrades; No 4K video recording.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Nikon D5600
Sony NEX-3
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $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
Nikon D5600
Samsung NX100
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $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
Nikon D5600
Sony NEX-C3
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax KP

Sony NEX-5
Pentax KP
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D5600
Pentax KP
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D3500

Sony NEX-5
Nikon D3500
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D5600
Nikon D3500
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $709
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
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