Sony NEX-5N vs Sony a350

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5N and Sony a350. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony NEX-5N were released 2011 and Sony a350 was released 2008. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony NEX-5N 2011
Sony a350 2008

Type of camera

Sony NEX-5N is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a350 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-5N 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a350 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-5N has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a350 has 14 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
Sony a350 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony NEX-5N has a 14 % larger resolution than Sony a350. 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 a350. Sony NEX-5N has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a350 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony NEX-5N 100-25600
Sony a350 100-3200

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 a350

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 a350 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5N 10
Sony a350 3

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 a350 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 a350 weighs 674 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 151% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony NEX-5N 269 gr
0.59 lb
Sony a350 674 gr
1.49 lb

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony a350 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5N and Sony a350, 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 a350
Name Sony NEX-5N Sony a350
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a350
Release Year 2011 2008
Release Date 2011-08-24 2008-01-30
MSRP 599 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a350
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a350
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 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a350
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 3200
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-5N
Sony a350
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
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-5N
Sony a350
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 2.7”
Screen dots 920000 230000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a350
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 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a350
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 a350
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a350
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 (Wired or wirelss (optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a350
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details ithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
NP-FM500H
Battery Life (CIPA) 460 shots 730 shots
Width 111 mm 131 mm
Height 59 mm 99 mm
Depth 38 mm 75 mm
Weight 269 gram 674 gram