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.

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

Sony NEX-5N vs Sony a77 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony NEX-5N and Sony a77, 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 a77
Name Sony NEX-5N Sony a77
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
Release Year 2011 2011
Release Date 2011-08-24 2011-08-24
MSRP 599 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
Camera Type Mirrorless SLT
Sensor
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
ISO Range 100 - 25600 100 - 16000
White Balance Presets 6 8
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 a77
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
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 19
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 a77
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
Frames per second 10 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 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) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (optional RMT-DSLR1)
Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Sony NEX-5N
Sony a77
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details ithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 460 shots 470 shots
Width 111 mm 143 mm
Height 59 mm 104 mm
Depth 38 mm 81 mm
Weight 269 gram 732 gram