Sony NEX-5N vs Sony a100

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5N and Sony a100. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5N is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a100 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.

** 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-5N has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a100 has 10 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Sony NEX-5N has a 60 % larger resolution than Sony a100. 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 Sony a100. Sony NEX-5N has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a100 has 100 to 1600.

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 Sony a100

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 Sony a100 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

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-5N. Unfortunately Sony a100 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 a100 weighs 638 gr (equal to 1.41 lb) which is 137% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony a100 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5N and Sony a100, 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	Sony a100
Name	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
Manufacturer	Sony	Sony
Release Date and Price	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
Release Year	2011	2006
Release Date	2011-08-24	2006-06-05
MSRP	599 USD	899 USD
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Camera Type	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
Camera Type	Mirrorless	DSLR
Sensor	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
Sensor Size	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)	APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type	CMOS	CCD
Resolution	4912 x 3264 pixels	3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels	16 MP	10 MP
Image Processor	Bionz	Bionz
Image	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
ISO Range	100 - 25600	100 - 1600
White Balance Presets	6	7
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-5N	Sony a100
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
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-5N	Sony a100
Articulated LCD	Tilting	No
Screen size	3”	2.5”
Screen dots	920000	230000
Touch screen	Yes	No
Screen type	Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD	N/A
Live view	Yes	No
Viewfinder Type	Electronic (optional)	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage		95%
Viewfinder Magnification		0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	0	N/A
Photography features	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
Frames per second	10 fps	3 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	N/A
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	No
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
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-5N	Sony a100
Memory Card	Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC	Compact Flash
Connectivity	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
HDMI Output	Yes	No
Microphone Port	No	No
Headphone Port	No	No
Wireless	Yes Eye-Fi Connected	No
Remote Control	Yes (optional RMT-DSLR1)	Yes (Wire (Optional))
GPS	No	No
Body & Dimensions	Sony NEX-5N	Sony a100
Enviromentally sealed	No	No
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	ithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger	Lithium-Ion (NP-FM55H) & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	460 shots	750 shots
Width	111 mm	133 mm
Height	59 mm	95 mm
Depth	38 mm	71 mm
Weight	269 gram	638 gram