• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-5N advantages over Ricoh Theta V

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 430 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Ricoh Theta V advantages over Sony NEX-5N

  • 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
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/25000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

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
Ricoh Theta V
Sony NEX-3
  • $439
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

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
Ricoh Theta V
Sony NEX-C3
  • $439
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX200

Sony NEX-5N
Samsung NX200
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Ricoh Theta V
Samsung NX200
  • $439
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N
Canon EOS M
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Ricoh Theta V
Canon EOS M
  • $439
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Larger sensor

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
Ricoh Theta V
Sony NEX-5R
  • $439
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
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