Sony NEX-5 vs Nikon Z f

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

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z f is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-5 were released 2010 and Nikon Z f was released 2023. That is a 13 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5 2010
Nikon Z f 2023

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-5 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z f has a "Nikon FX"-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
Nikon Z f 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony NEX-5 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z f has 25 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
Nikon Z f 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Nikon Z f has a 74 % 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

Nikon Z f has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-5. Nikon Z f has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 204800 while Sony NEX-5 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5 200-12800
Nikon Z f 50-204800

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 Nikon Z f

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 Nikon Z f can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5 7
Nikon Z f 14

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 Nikon Z f 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.

Nikon Z f weighs 710 gr (equal to 1.57 lb) which is 147% heavier than Sony NEX-5 and its 287 gr (or 0.63 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5 287 gr
0.63 lb
Nikon Z f 710 gr
1.57 lb

Sony NEX-5 vs Nikon Z f Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5 and Nikon Z f, 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
Nikon Z f
Name Sony NEX-5 Nikon Z f
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
Release Year 2010 2023
Release Date 2010-05-11 2023-09-20
MSRP 649 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 25 MP
Image Processor Bionz
Image
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
ISO Range 200 - 12800 50 - 204800
White Balance Presets 6 8
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 8 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
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
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 273
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
FX (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
Nikon Z f
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 920000 2100000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 3690000
Photography features
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
Frames per second 7 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Partial
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format AVCHD
H.264
H.265
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n/a/ac)
Remote Control Yes (InfraRed (optional)) No
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5
Nikon Z f
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15c
Battery Life (CIPA) 330 shots 380 shots
Width 111 mm 144 mm
Height 59 mm 103 mm
Depth 38 mm 49 mm
Weight 287 gram 710 gram