Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon D5100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5N and Nikon D5100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony NEX-5N

Nikon D5100

Manufacturing

Sony NEX-5N is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5100 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2011.

Camera	Released
Sony NEX-5N	2011
Nikon D5100	2011

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5N is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5100 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 D5100 has a "Nikon DX"-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 D5100	75 mm Nikon DX 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)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony NEX-5N has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5100 has 16,2 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 D5100	16,2 MP 16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264

Nikon D5100 has a 0 % larger resolution than Sony NEX-5N. 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-5N has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D5100. Sony NEX-5N has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D5100 has 100 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony NEX-5N	100-25600
Nikon D5100	100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony NEX-5N has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5100 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5100 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-5N
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5100

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 D5100 can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5N	10
Nikon D5100	4

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 D5100 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 D5100 weighs 611 gr (equal to 1.35 lb) which is 127% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony NEX-5N	269 gr 0.59 lb
Nikon D5100	611 gr 1.35 lb