Sony ZV-E1 vs Sony NEX-5N

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony ZV-E1 and Sony NEX-5N. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony ZV-E1 were released 2023 and Sony NEX-5N was released 2011. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony ZV-E1 2023
Sony NEX-5N 2011

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony ZV-E1 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony NEX-5N has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony ZV-E1 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Sony NEX-5N 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 ZV-E1 has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony NEX-5N has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony ZV-E1 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Sony NEX-5N 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264

Sony NEX-5N has a 34 % larger resolution than Sony ZV-E1. 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 ZV-E1 has a larger ISO-range than Sony NEX-5N. Sony ZV-E1 has an ISO range that stretches from 80 to 102400 while Sony NEX-5N has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony ZV-E1 80-102400
Sony NEX-5N 100-25600

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 ZV-E1
Lens compatibility chart for Sony NEX-5N

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony ZV-E1 can shoot up to 1 pictures per seconds and Sony NEX-5N can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony ZV-E1 1
Sony NEX-5N 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony ZV-E1 and Sony NEX-5N 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 ZV-E1 weighs 483 gr (equal to 1.06 lb) which is 80% heavier than Sony NEX-5N and its 269 gr (or 0.59 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony ZV-E1 483 gr
1.06 lb
Sony NEX-5N 269 gr
0.59 lb

Sony ZV-E1 vs Sony NEX-5N Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony ZV-E1 and Sony NEX-5N, 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 ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Name Sony ZV-E1 Sony NEX-5N
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Release Year 2023 2011
Release Date 2023-03-29 2011-08-24
MSRP 2199 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 16 MP
Image Processor BIONZ XR Bionz
Image
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
ISO Range 80 - 102400 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 7 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 759 25
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 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 ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1036800 920000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder Coverage
Viewfinder Magnification
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Frames per second 1 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
AVCHD
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (wireless or smartphone) Yes (optional RMT-DSLR1)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony ZV-E1
Sony NEX-5N
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery charger
ithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 570 shots 460 shots
Width 121 mm 111 mm
Height 72 mm 59 mm
Depth 54 mm 38 mm
Weight 483 gram 269 gram