Beginner II
4
Score

Does the NEX-7 viewfinder justify its cost vs. the NEX-5N?
Mark-Feeney | Asked  11 months ago | Last response was last week

I love the size and features of the NEX-7 but it is SO expensive.  The NEX-5N is almost as capable in all dimensions, but for 2.5x less.  The main thing I'm wondering about is the lack of viewfinder.  Is the viewfinder on the NEX-7 somehow good enough to justify the huge price difference?  Is there another feature to justify the cost that I'm not seeing?  Image quality seems about the same, according to DxO.

Which camera do you recommend for Mark-Feeney?

Sony NEX-5N - $598
16 MP|APS-C CMOS|3" LCD
Sony NEX-7 - $948
24 MP|APS-C CMOS|3" LCD
8 Answers
  1. Intermediate I
    cameras Community
    Fair Minded
    4
    Score
    11 months ago Nico-Socha recommends the Sony NEX-7

    Hello,

    i have the NEX-7 and i must say that the viewfinder is very good, sometimes when its very dark it lacks a little bit. The other advantage is that the NEX-7 has the full size flash shoe from the big dslrs and there is a build in flash. Some people say that the NEX-5N has a better noise level but downsize the NEX-7 picture and you will see that is similar. When you enlarge the 5N pictures to the size of the NEX-7 pictures the NEX-7 is better. Another big feature is the Tri-Navi from the NEX-7, its absolutely innovative i think, I love to change settings with this. If you have the money, buy the NEX-7.

    Reply
  2. Beginner II
    3
    Score
    11 months ago Martin-Vraspir recommends the Sony NEX-7

    The 7 feels much better and sturdier in the hand. Tri-Navi, VF and built-in flash are important for me, something that I missed on a friends 5N. If you can afford it, buy a 7!

    Reply
  3. Intermediate I
    cameras Community
    Fair Minded
    2
    Score
    6 months ago Ben-Marshall recommends the Sony NEX-7

    Yes the viewfinder is worth the effort, its not just about the amount of megapixels, its how they are handled, the sensor that is used in the NEX-7 trumps everything on the market. Though it is available on other Sony cameras, it works wonders in the tiny frame of the NEX-7.

    If you are truly expecting to take great photos all the time, both cameras are satisfactory. You will find that over the course of the first few months of using the Sony NEX-5N, that having a viewfinder would have saved you some time, and potentially affording you the chance to take the picture you missed. 

    Saving the $500 or so COULD get you a better lens than the kit lens, but simply having more zoom, or a wider aperture, isn't going to take that picture for you.

    I own a NEX-3 and a NEX-7, and I have used them both extensively, but when it comes down to the bottom line, I am glad I took the jump in price, and skipped everything in between and spent the cash on the NEX-7.

    Reply
  4. Beginner II
    Sony NEX-5N
    Supporter
    2
    Score
    11 months ago Emric-Delton recommends the Sony NEX-5N

    IMO, if you have the money, buy a 5n + SEL18200 (vs. a 7). And if you need more megapix, save for a D800. Tri-navi is nice, but you can program the 5n for easy function access and you can buy a $20 eye piece 'a la Zacuto Z-Finder' which will have the added benefit of providing added stability. Nex-7 is a great camera, but not for the price...

    Reply
  5. Intermediate I
    cameras Community
    Fair Minded
    2
    Score
    10 months ago sasuke1212 recommends the Sony NEX-5N

    Go for 5N, the cheaper the camera is, the more money you will have for buying lenses :)

    Reply
  6. Beginner I
    2
    Score
    11 months ago lnwdr recommends the Sony NEX-5N

    I use a 5N all the time and I'd not trade it for a 7 even for free.

    Maybe I'd add the viewfinder to the 5N, though. Reasons for the 5N: Better low light performance, size, weight, less megapixels which leads to smaller files and faster post processing. and let's be honest: 16MP is enough for most of us

    1. Beginner II
      11 months ago Mark-Feeney
      Thanks for the info. I tried a NEX-5N at the store this weekend. It's incredibly light --so light I thought at first it might be an empty shell they just put out for people to look at. Cool that you can add a viewfinder to the 5N. Didn't realize that. Looks pretty pricey ($350+), but it's still nice to know it exists.
    2. Beginner I
      11 months ago Dominic-Schulz
      remember that you can't use the included flash, when using the viewfinder. both go on the same connection.
    3. Beginner II
      11 months ago Mark-Feeney
      Ah, good point. Thanks for pointing that out.
    Reply
  7. Expert I
    cameras Community
    Fair Minded
    0
    Score
    last week nick recommends the Sony NEX-5N

    i wud recommend nex 5n as the image quality wed be similar - features of  the higer version comes with a cost

    i guess 5n shoudl do the job for u - but if u are ready to invest go for the latest gear

    Reply
  8. Beginner I
    0
    Score
    11 months ago Fredrik-Wahlstr-m recommends the Sony NEX-5N

    The 5n is great!

    With 7 you lose money, portability and imagequality.

    Not really worth it just for an evf..

    1. Intermediate I
      6 months ago Ben-Marshall
      This a very close-minded answer. The 5n simply upgrades the features of the 5 and the 3 series, making no great strides towards standing on its own as a choice. The 5n has already been replaced with the Nex-6, which outshines it in all departments, including price, but is still no Nex-7 in terms of over all product value.
    Reply

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5 Recommendations for
Sony NEX-5N
3 Recommendations for
Sony NEX-7

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