Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon D5300
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5N and Nikon D5300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony NEX-5N is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5300 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony NEX-5N were released 2011 and Nikon D5300 was released 2013. 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 D5300 | 2013 |
Type of camera
Sony NEX-5N is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D5300 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 D5300 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 D5300 | 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 D5300 has 24 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 D5300 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D5300 has a 50 % 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 D5300. Sony NEX-5N has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D5300 has 100 to 12800.
| Camera | ISO Range |
| Sony NEX-5N | 100-25600 |
| Nikon D5300 | 100-12800 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony NEX-5N has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5300 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5300 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 D5300
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 D5300 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
| Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
| Sony NEX-5N | 10 |
| Nikon D5300 | 5 |
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 D5300 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 D5300 weighs 480 gr (equal to 1.06 lb) which is 78% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).
| Camera | Weight |
| Sony NEX-5N | 269 gr 0.59 lb |
| Nikon D5300 | 480 gr 1.06 lb |
Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon D5300 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5N and Nikon D5300, 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-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Name | Sony NEX-5N | Nikon D5300 |
| Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Release Year | 2011 | 2013 |
| Release Date | 2011-08-24 | 2013-10-17 |
| MSRP | 599 USD | 729 USD |
| Buy it today |
|
|
Camera Type |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Resolution | 4912 x 3264 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
| Megapixels | 16 MP | 24 MP |
| Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 4 |
Image |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 100 - 12800 |
| White Balance Presets | 6 | 12 |
| 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-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
| 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 Face Detection LiveView |
| Focus Points | 25 | 39 |
| Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F 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 |
DX / APS-C (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-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
| Screen dots | 920000 | 1037000 |
| Touch screen | Yes | No |
| Screen type | Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD | TFT LCD monitor |
| Live view | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.82× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 0 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Frames per second | 10 fps | 5 fps |
| Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash Range | 12 meters | 12 meters |
| External Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Time-lapse | No | Yes |
| Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Video recording | Yes | Yes |
| Video format |
AVCHD |
MPEG4 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 | Yes |
Storage |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | No | Yes |
| Headphone Port | No | No |
| Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Yes Built-In |
| Remote Control |
Yes (optional RMT-DSLR1)
|
Optional with ML-L3 or WR-R10
|
| GPS | No |
Yes Built-in |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony NEX-5N |
Nikon D5300 |
| Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Details |
ithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14a or EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
|
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 460 shots | 600 shots |
| Width | 111 mm | 125 mm |
| Height | 59 mm | 98 mm |
| Depth | 38 mm | 76 mm |
| Weight | 269 gram | 480 gram |