• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony NEX-5 advantages over Sony A7 III

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    502g vs 945g
    Lighter weight

Sony A7 III advantages over Sony NEX-5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    25.0 vs 22.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,730 vs 796 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.7 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 710 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 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
    0.20 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
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    163 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.

  • Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3

Sony NEX-5
Sony NEX-3
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Sony A7 III
Sony NEX-3
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

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
Sony A7 III
Samsung NX100
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • 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
Sony A7 III
Sony NEX-C3
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z6
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A7 III
Nikon Z6
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z6 II
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A7 III
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Longer video battery life
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • Newer
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