Sony NEX-5N vs Sony a77

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony NEX-5N and Sony a77. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony NEX-5N

Sony a77

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

These two camera models were both released 2011.

Camera	Released
Sony NEX-5N	2011
Sony a77	2011

Type of camera

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 a77	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 a77 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
Sony a77	24 MP 24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000

Sony a77 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 Sony a77. Sony NEX-5N has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a77 has 100 to 16000.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony NEX-5N	100-25600
Sony a77	100-16000

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 a77

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 a77 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony NEX-5N	10
Sony a77	12

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 Sony a77 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.

Sony a77 weighs 732 gr (equal to 1.61 lb) which is 172% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony NEX-5N	269 gr 0.59 lb
Sony a77	732 gr 1.61 lb