Sony NEX-5 vs Canon EOS 7D
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5 and Canon EOS 7D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony NEX-5 is manufacturered by Sony but Canon EOS 7D is from Canon. Both Sony and Canon are well known brands though.
Sony NEX-5 were released 2010 and Canon EOS 7D was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony NEX-5 | 2010 |
Canon EOS 7D | 2009 |
Type of camera
Sony NEX-5 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 7D 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 7D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 7D | 80 mm Canon APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6 |
** 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 7D has 18 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 7D |
18 MP
17915904 pixels 5184 x 3456 |
Canon EOS 7D has a 28 % 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
Canon EOS 7D has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-5. Canon EOS 7D has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony NEX-5 has 200 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony NEX-5 | 200-12800 |
Canon EOS 7D | 100-12800 |
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 NEX-5
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 7D
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 7D can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony NEX-5 | 7 |
Canon EOS 7D | 8 |
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 7D 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 7D weighs 860 gr (equal to 1.9 lb) which is 200% 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 7D | 860 gr 1.9 lb |
Sony NEX-5 vs Canon EOS 7D Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5 and Canon EOS 7D, 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 7D |
Name | Sony NEX-5 | Canon EOS 7D |
Manufacturer | Sony | Canon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Release Year | 2010 | 2009 |
Release Date | 2010-05-11 | 2009-09-01 |
MSRP | 649 USD | 1699 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) | APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4592 x 3056 pixels | 5184 x 3456 pixels |
Megapixels | 14 MP | 18 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | DUAL DIGIC 4 |
Image |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
ISO Range | 200 - 12800 | 100 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 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 NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 19 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Canon EF Canon EF-S 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 1.6x multiplier Example: 24 mm becomes 38 mm 50 mm becomes 80 mm 100 mm becomes 160 mm 200 mm becomes 320 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 920000 | 920000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | No Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1× (0.62× 35mm equiv.) | |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Frames per second | 7 fps | 8 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 12 meters |
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 7D |
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 | No |
Storage |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (InfraRed (optional)) | Yes (N3 connector) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional through GP-E2 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony NEX-5 |
Canon EOS 7D |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion LP-E6 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 shots | 800 shots |
Width | 111 mm | 148 mm |
Height | 59 mm | 111 mm |
Depth | 38 mm | 74 mm |
Weight | 287 gram | 860 gram |