• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 2000.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Nikon P950

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 149 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 5 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon P950 advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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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

Nikon P950
Sony NEX-3
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P950 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

Nikon P950
Sony NEX-C3
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P950 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

Nikon P950
Sony NEX-5R
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P950 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Nikon P900

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon P900
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon P900

Nikon P950
Nikon P900
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • RAW file ability
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compare Nikon P950 vs Nikon P900

Compared to Nikon P1000

Sony NEX-5N
Nikon P1000
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $997
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon P1000

Nikon P950
Nikon P1000
  • $797
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $997
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon P950 vs Nikon P1000

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