Sony NEX-5N vs Sigma SD15

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony NEX-5N and the Sigma SD15, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony NEX-5N was introduced in October 2011 and Sigma SD15 was introduced in February 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony NEX-5N over Sigma SD15.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma SD15 over Sony NEX-5N.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Sony NEX-5N and Sigma SD15 have 3.0" screens with 920k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively. Sony NEX-5N has a Tilting screen which makes it very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Sigma SD15 has a Fixed screen Sony NEX-5N also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Viewfinder

Sigma SD15 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 96% coverage and 0.90x (0.60x 35mm equivalent) magnification.Sony NEX-5N does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

Sony NEX-5N features a 16.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 365 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600. Sigma SD15 features a 5 megapixel APS-C CMOS (Foveon X3) sensor with dimensions of 20.7 x 13.8 mm and a total area of 190.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 50 - 3,200 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Sony NEX-5N is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4912 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4912 x 2760, 3568 x 2368, 3568 x 2000, 2448 x 1624, 2448 x 1376 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Sigma SD15 is equipped with TRUE II processor and can take pictures up to 2640 x 1760 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 1776 x 1184, 1296 x 864 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Sony NEX-5N has Sony E lens mount and Sigma SD15 has Sigma SA lens mount. They both have APS-C sensor but because of a small size difference their crop factors (also called lens multiplier) differ from each other. Sony NEX-5N has the crop factor of 1.5x which means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5. Sigma SD15 has the crop factor of 1.7x which means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.7.

No Low-Pass Filter on Sigma SD15

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Sigma SD15. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Sony NEX-5N it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sigma SD15 nothing can be done. On Sigma SD15 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony NEX-5N nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony NEX-5N has a Mini Type C HDMI and Sigma SD15 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony NEX-5N comes with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 460 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony NEX-5N has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Sigma SD15 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-5N, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sigma SD15. Sony NEX-5N can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps. Sigma SD15 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.

Flash

Sigma SD15 has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Sony NEX-5N has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Proprietary. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony NEX-5N and 1/180 sec on Sigma SD15.

Sony NEX-5N body has dimensions of 111 x 59 x 38 mm (4.37 x 2.32 x 1.5") and Sigma SD15 body has dimensions of 144 x 107 x 81 mm (5.67 x 4.21 x 3.19"). Sony NEX-5N weighs 269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz) and Sigma SD15 weighs 750 g (1.65 lb / 26.46 oz).

Sony NEX-5N

Sigma SD15

111 mm

59 mm

144 mm

107 mm

59 mm

107 mm

38 mm

81 mm