Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a500
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5 and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony NEX-5 were released 2010 and Sony a500 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 |
Sony a500 | 2009 |
Type of camera
Sony NEX-5 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
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 NEX-5 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Sony a500 | 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 NEX-5 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 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 |
Sony a500 |
12 MP
12166656 pixels 4272 x 2848 |
Sony NEX-5 has a 15 % larger resolution than Sony a500. 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
Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 200 to 12800.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony NEX-5 | 200-12800 |
Sony a500 | 200-12800 |
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 Sony a500
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 Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony NEX-5 | 7 |
Sony a500 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony NEX-5. Unfortunately Sony a500 does not support recording movies and movie clips.
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 a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 120% heavier than Sony NEX-5 and its 287 gr (or 0.63 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony NEX-5 | 287 gr 0.63 lb |
Sony a500 | 630 gr 1.39 lb |
Sony NEX-5 vs Sony a500 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5 and Sony a500, 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 |
Sony a500 |
Name | Sony NEX-5 | Sony a500 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
Release Year | 2010 | 2009 |
Release Date | 2010-05-11 | 2009-08-27 |
MSRP | 649 USD | 549 USD |
Buy it today |
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Camera Type |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
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 | 4592 x 3056 pixels | 4272 x 2848 pixels |
Megapixels | 14 MP | 12 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
Image |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
ISO Range | 200 - 12800 | 200 - 12800 |
White Balance Presets | 6 | 6 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization | No |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous LiveView |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 9 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony A 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 NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 920000 | 230000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | N/A |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | No Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
Frames per second | 7 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 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 | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
Video recording | Yes | No |
Video format |
AVCHD |
N/A |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
N/A |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | No |
Storage |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (InfraRed (optional)) | Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony NEX-5 |
Sony a500 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FW50 rechargeable battery & charger
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Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
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Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 shots | 520 shots |
Width | 111 mm | 137 mm |
Height | 59 mm | 104 mm |
Depth | 38 mm | 84 mm |
Weight | 287 gram | 630 gram |