Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon D3s

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5N and Nikon D3s. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony NEX-5N

Nikon D3s

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5N is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3s is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony NEX-5N were released 2011 and Nikon D3s was released 2009. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Sony NEX-5N	2011
Nikon D3s	2009

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5N is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D3s is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony NEX-5N has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3s 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-5N	75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3s	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-5N has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3s has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Sony NEX-5N	16 MP 16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264
Nikon D3s	12,1 MP 12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832

Sony NEX-5N has a 33 % larger resolution than Nikon D3s. 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 D3s has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-5N. Nikon D3s has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 102400 while Sony NEX-5N has 100 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony NEX-5N	100-25600
Nikon D3s	200-102400

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-5N
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3s

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony NEX-5N can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3s can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5N	10
Nikon D3s	11

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony NEX-5N and Nikon D3s 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 D3s weighs 1240 gr (equal to 2.73 lb) which is 361% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony NEX-5N	269 gr 0.59 lb
Nikon D3s	1240 gr 2.73 lb