• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 3.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 55 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Sony NEX-5N

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Buy the Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Black)
  • Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Black)
  • Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Gray)
All D-LUX (Typ 109) Deals

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.

  • Read our Sony NEX-5N Review

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

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-3

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Sony NEX-3
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Sony NEX-3

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

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-C3

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Sony NEX-C3
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Sony NEX-C3

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

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Sony NEX-5R

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Sony NEX-5R
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Sony NEX-5N
Panasonic LX100
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Panasonic LX100

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Panasonic LX100
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Panasonic LX100 II

Sony NEX-5N
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Panasonic LX100 II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Panasonic LX100 II

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