Sony a7S vs Sony NEX-5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S and Sony NEX-5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7S has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony NEX-5 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 a7S has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony NEX-5 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Sony NEX-5 has a 17 % larger resolution than Sony a7S. 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 a7S has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-5. Sony a7S has an ISO range that stretches from 10 to 102400 while Sony NEX-5 has 200 to 12800.

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 a7S
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7S can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-5 can shoot up to 7 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a7S and Sony NEX-5 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 a7S weighs 489 gr (equal to 1.08 lb) which is 70% heavier than Sony NEX-5 and its 287 gr (or 0.63 lb).

Sony a7S vs Sony NEX-5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S and Sony NEX-5, 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 a7S	Sony NEX-5
Name	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Manufacturer	Sony	Sony
Release Date and Price	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Release Year	2014	2010
Release Date	2014-04-06	2010-05-11
MSRP	2499 USD	649 USD
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Camera Type	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Camera Type	Mirrorless	Mirrorless
Sensor	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	4240 x 2832 pixels	4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels	12 MP	14 MP
Image Processor	Bionz X	Bionz
Image	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
ISO Range	10 - 102400	200 - 12800
White Balance Presets	10	6
Custom White Balance	Yes	Yes
Image Stabilization	No	No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating	0 stops	0 stops
Uncompressed format	RAW	RAW
Optics & Focus	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView	Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView
Focus Points	25	25
Lens Mount	Sony E See Compatible Lenses	Sony E See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 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 a7S	Sony NEX-5
Articulated LCD	Tilting	Tilting
Screen size	3”	3”
Screen dots	921000	920000
Touch screen	No	No
Screen type	TFT-LCD	N/A
Live view	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Electronic	No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage	100%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.71x
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	N/A
Photography features	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Frames per second	5 fps	7 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000 seconds	1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash	No	No
Built-in Flash Range	N/A	N/A
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD	AVCHD
Video resolution		1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Built-in Speakers	Yes	Yes
Storage	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Memory Card	SD/SDHC	Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC
Connectivity	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	No
Headphone Port	Yes	No
Wireless	Yes Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via smartphone)	No
Remote Control	Yes (Wired)	Yes (InfraRed (optional))
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Sony a7S	Sony NEX-5
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger	Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	380 shots	330 shots
Width	127 mm	111 mm
Height	94 mm	59 mm
Depth	48 mm	38 mm
Weight	489 gram	287 gram