Sony NEX-5 vs Canon EOS 5DS

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

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 5DS is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-5 were released 2010 and Canon EOS 5DS was released 2015. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5 2010
Canon EOS 5DS 2015

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 5DS is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

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

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony NEX-5 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Canon EOS 5DS 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Sony NEX-5 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 5DS has 51 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony NEX-5 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Canon EOS 5DS 51 MP
50320896 pixels
8688 x 5792

Canon EOS 5DS has a 259 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5. 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-5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 5DS. Sony NEX-5 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Canon EOS 5DS has 100 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5 200-12800
Canon EOS 5DS 100-6400

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 NEX-5
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 5DS

Pictures per second

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

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5 7
Canon EOS 5DS 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony NEX-5 and Canon EOS 5DS 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.

Canon EOS 5DS weighs 930 gr (equal to 2.05 lb) which is 224% heavier than Sony NEX-5 and its 287 gr (or 0.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5 287 gr
0.63 lb
Canon EOS 5DS 930 gr
2.05 lb

Sony NEX-5 vs Canon EOS 5DS Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5 and Canon EOS 5DS, 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 NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Name Sony NEX-5 Canon EOS 5DS
Manufacturer Sony Canon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Release Year 2010 2015
Release Date 2010-05-11 2015-02-06
MSRP 649 USD 3699 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 8688 x 5792 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 51 MP
Image Processor Bionz DUAL DIGIC 6
Image
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 61
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 920000 1040000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A ClearView II TFT-LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Frames per second 7 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 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 Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format AVCHD
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (InfraRed (optional)) Yes (Wired and wireless)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5
Canon EOS 5DS
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
LP-E6 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 700 shots
Width 111 mm 152 mm
Height 59 mm 116 mm
Depth 38 mm 76 mm
Weight 287 gram 930 gram