Sony a58 vs Sony NEX-5N

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a58 and Sony NEX-5N. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a58 were released 2013 and Sony NEX-5N was released 2011. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a58 2013
Sony NEX-5N 2011

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony APS-C") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a58 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony NEX-5N 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a58 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony NEX-5N has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a58 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Sony NEX-5N 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony a58 has a 24 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5N. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony NEX-5N has a larger ISO-range than Sony a58. Sony NEX-5N has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a58 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a58 100-16000
Sony NEX-5N 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a58
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-5N

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a58 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-5N can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a58 5
Sony NEX-5N 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a58 and Sony NEX-5N can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a58 weighs 492 gr (equal to 1.08 lb) which is 83% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a58 492 gr
1.08 lb
Sony NEX-5N 269 gr
0.59 lb

Sony a58 vs Sony NEX-5N Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a58 and Sony NEX-5N, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Name Sony a58 Sony NEX-5N
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Release Year 2013 2011
Release Date 2013-02-20 2011-08-24
MSRP 599 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5456 x 3632 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 16 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
ISO Range 100 - 16000 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Optical SteadyShot INSIDE)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 15 25
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.7” 3”
Screen dots 460000 920000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Frames per second 5 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
AVCHD
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (optional RMT-DSLR1)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a58
Sony NEX-5N
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
ithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 690 shots 460 shots
Width 129 mm 111 mm
Height 95 mm 59 mm
Depth 78 mm 38 mm
Weight 492 gram 269 gram