Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5N

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony NEX-6 and the Sony NEX-5N, 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-6 was introduced in March 2013 and Sony NEX-5N was introduced in October 2011. 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-6 over Sony NEX-5N.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony NEX-5N over Sony NEX-6.

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-6 and Sony NEX-5N have 3.0" Tilting screens with 921k dot and 920k dot resolutions respectively. Tilting screen makes cameras very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. 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 (available only on Sony NEX-5N) 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

Sony NEX-6 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,359k dot resolution. It has a 100% coverage and 1.09x (0.73x 35mm equivalent) magnification.Sony NEX-5N does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

Sony NEX-6 features a 16.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600. 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 243.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600.

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

Cameras are equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4912 x 3264 resolution. They can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4912 x 2760, 3568 x 2368, 3568 x 2000, 2448 x 1624, 2448 x 1376 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Sony E lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Sony NEX-6 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony NEX-5N nothing can be done. On Sony NEX-5N it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Sony NEX-6 nothing can be done.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-6 has a built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony NEX-6 has a Mini Type C HDMI and Sony NEX-5N has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony NEX-6 and Sony NEX-5N come with NPFW50 battery pack with battery life of 360 shots on Sony NEX-6 and with battery life of 460 shots on Sony NEX-5N.

External Storage Slots

Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-6, and up to 1/4000 sec on Sony NEX-5N. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Flash

Sony NEX-6 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection. 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 both cameras.

Sony NEX-6 body has dimensions of 120 x 67 x 43 mm (4.72 x 2.64 x 1.69") and Sony NEX-5N body has dimensions of 111 x 59 x 38 mm (4.37 x 2.32 x 1.5"). Sony NEX-6 weighs 345 g (0.76 lb / 12.17 oz) and Sony NEX-5N weighs 269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz).

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-5N

120 mm

67 mm

111 mm

59 mm

67 mm

59 mm

43 mm

38 mm