Scored using Cameras Methodology v1.0
Cameras Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Cameras Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony Alpha NEX 5R Review | 108 Data compared

Avg. price:~£170Sensor size:APS-CWeight:276 gBattery life (CIPA):330 shots

Sony Alpha NEX 5R Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Cameras category and whether it is worth buying.

5.7

Overall score

Score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best cameras on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

90%

5.7

Technical score

10%

?

User score

â–²Better than 66% of cameras
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Cameras category across these key areas: Sensor & Image, Photo Features, Video & Audio, Display & Design, Battery & Power, Connectivity & Storage.
When it matters
When you want to compare cameras based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

28%

7.1

Sensor & Image

25%

5.3

Photo Features

18%

4.5

Video & Audio

14%

6.5

Display & Design

8%

4.7

Battery & Power

7%

4.8

Connectivity & Storage

â–²Better than 68% of cameras
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Technical Specifications of camera Sony Alpha NEX 5R

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Cameras category across these key areas: Sensor & Image, Photo Features, Video & Audio, Display & Design, Battery & Power, Connectivity & Storage.
When it matters
When you want to compare cameras based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

28%

7.1

Sensor & Image

25%

5.3

Photo Features

18%

4.5

Video & Audio

14%

6.5

Display & Design

8%

4.7

Battery & Power

7%

4.8

Connectivity & Storage

5.7
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera.
When it matters
When you want to see which cameras attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Sony Alpha NEX 5R has a popularity score of 1, which is lower than 51.3% of cameras.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

5.7

Overall score

40%

9.6

Price

6.9
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor size
APS-C
This camera uses a sensor classified as APS-C; it is larger than the sensor in 57.4% of cameras and the same size as the sensor in 25.7% of cameras.
Main camera megapixels
16.1 MP
Main camera megapixels
16.1 MP
This camera has a sensor resolution of 16.1 MP, which is lower than that of 53.3% of cameras and equal to that of 7.9% of cameras.
Main camera pixel size
?
Base ISO
100
Base ISO
100
This camera has a base ISO of 100 which is higher than that of 19.9% of cameras and equal to that of 52.4% of cameras.
Max ISO
ISO 25600 ISO
Max ISO
ISO 25,600
This camera reaches a maximum sensitivity of ISO 25,600, which is higher than that of 75.6% of cameras and equal to that of 12.5% of cameras.
Show more
Lens mount
Sony E
Built-in focus motor
no
Built-in focus motor
no
This camera does not have a built-in focus motor. 11% of cameras have a built-in focus motor.
N. of focus points
99
N. of focus points
99
This camera has 99 focus points, more than the number offered by 74.6% of cameras and equal to the number offered by 5% of cameras.
Phase-detection autofocus (photos)
yes
Phase-detection autofocus (photos)
yes
This camera supports phase-detection autofocus for photos. 37.3% of cameras support phase-detection autofocus for photos.
AF tracking
yes
AF tracking
yes
This camera supports AF tracking. This feature is available on 88% of cameras.
Show more
Max video resolution
1920 px
Max video resolution
1920 px
This camera supports 1920 px video recording which is higher quality than that of 28.7% of cameras and equal to that of 47.1% of cameras.
Video bitrate
28 Mbps
Video bitrate
28 Mbps
This camera has a video bitrate of 28 Mbps which is lower than that of 51.9% of cameras and equal to that of 8.7% of cameras.
Video bit depth
8 bit
Video bit depth
8 bit
This camera supports video at 8 bit, a bit depth higher than that of 7.8% of cameras and equal to that of 80.6% of cameras.
Video chroma subsampling
4:2:0
Video chroma subsampling
4:2:0
This camera supports 4:2:0 video chroma subsampling which is more advanced than that of 7.8% of cameras and equal to that of 69.9% of cameras.
Video codecs
H.264
Show more
Type
mirrorless
Weight
276 g
Weight
276 g
This camera weighs 276 g which is lighter than 64.8% of cameras and equal to the weight of 0.2% of cameras.
Width
110.8 mm
Width
110.8 mm
This camera has a width of 110.8 mm which is narrower than 64.6% of cameras and equal to that of 0.3% of cameras.
Height
58.8 mm
Height
58.8 mm
This camera has a height of 58.8 mm which is shorter than 83.7% of cameras and equal to that of 0.3% of cameras.
Thickness
38.9 mm
Thickness
38.9 mm
This camera has a thickness of 38.9 mm which is thinner than 60.8% of cameras and equal to that of 0.1% of cameras.
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Battery life (CIPA)
330 shots
Battery life (CIPA)
330 shots
This camera has a CIPA-rated battery life of 330 shots, which is longer than that of 48.1% of cameras and equal to that of 3.9% of cameras.
Battery capacity
1,020 mAh
Battery capacity
1,020 mAh
This camera has a battery capacity of 1,020 mAh which is smaller than the batteries in 65.5% of cameras and equal to those in 3.3% of cameras.
Removable battery
yes
Removable battery
yes
This camera has a removable battery, and 98.7% of cameras include one.
USB Power Delivery (PD)
no
USB Power Delivery (PD)
no
This camera does not support USB Power Delivery. 10.1% of cameras support USB Power Delivery.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This camera supports Wi-Fi. This feature is available on 47.8% of cameras.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This camera uses Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) which is newer than that of 54.2% of cameras and equal to that of 35.6% of cameras.
Bluetooth connectivity
no
Bluetooth connectivity
no
This camera does not have Bluetooth. 22.7% of cameras support Bluetooth.
Bluetooth version
N/A
USB Type-C
no
USB Type-C
no
This camera does not include USB Type-C. 14.6% of cameras use USB-C.
Show more

Sony Alpha NEX 5R vs the average camera

246810TotalDisplay & DesignSensor & ImagePhoto FeaturesVideo & AudioBattery & PowerConnectivity & Storage
  • Phase-detect AF for photos
    Phase-detection autofocus (photos)
    yes
    This camera supports phase-detection autofocus for photos, the average camera does not.
  • 19,200 ISO higher maximum sensitivity limit
    Max ISO
    25,600 ISO
    This camera has a higher maximum sensitivity than the average camera (25600 ISO vs 6400 ISO). The average camera reaches a maximum sensitivity of 6400 ISO.
    25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
  • 76 more AF points
    N. of focus points
    99
    This camera has more focus points than the average camera (99 vs 23). The average camera offers 23 focus points.
    99 vs 23
  • Sensor cleaning system
    Sensor cleaning system
    yes
    This camera includes a sensor cleaning system, the average camera does not.
    Charge protection coating with ultrasonic cleaning.
  • Has a touchscreen
    Touchscreen
    yes
    This camera has a touchscreen, the average camera does not. 36.6% of cameras support touchscreen input.
  • Phase-detect AF in video
    Phase-detection autofocus (video)
    yes
    This camera supports phase-detection autofocus in video, the average camera does not.
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    Wi-Fi connectivity
    yes
    This camera supports Wi-Fi, the average camera does not. 47.8% of cameras support Wi-Fi.
  • Smartphone remote control
    Smartphone remote control
    yes
    This camera supports smartphone remote control, the average camera does not. 46.2% of cameras support smartphone remote control.
    via Imaging Edge Mobile
  • 11.5% better value for money
    Sony Alpha NEX 5R has a better value-for-money score than the average camera (6.91 vs 6.2).
    6.91 vs 6.2
  • Has a touchscreen
    Touchscreen
    yes
    This camera has a touchscreen, the average camera does not. 36.6% of cameras support touchscreen input.
  • 119 g lighter
    Weight
    276 g
    This camera is lighter than the average camera (276 g vs 395 g). The average camera weighs 395 g.
    276 g vs 395 g
  • 15.1 mm shorter body
    Height
    58.8 mm
    This camera is shorter than the average camera (58.8 mm vs 73.9 mm). The average camera has a height of 73.9 mm.
    58.8 mm vs 73.9 mm
  • 19,200 ISO higher maximum sensitivity limit
    Max ISO
    25,600 ISO
    This camera has a higher maximum sensitivity than the average camera (25600 ISO vs 6400 ISO). The average camera reaches a maximum sensitivity of 6400 ISO.
    25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
  • Sensor cleaning system
    Sensor cleaning system
    yes
    This camera includes a sensor cleaning system, the average camera does not.
    Charge protection coating with ultrasonic cleaning.
  • 0.7 points higher DxOMark Landscape score
    DxOMark landscape score
    13.1 points
    This camera has a higher DxOMark landscape score than the average camera (13.1 points vs 12.4 points). The average camera scores 12.4 points.
    13.1 points vs 12.4 points
  • 0.7 points higher DxOMark Portrait score
    DxOMark portrait score
    23.7 points
    This camera has a higher DxOMark portrait score than the average camera (23.7 points vs 23 points). The average camera scores 23.0 points.
    23.7 points vs 23.0 points
  • 5 points higher DxOMark sensor score
    DxOMark sensor score
    78 points
    This camera has a higher DxOMark sensor score than the average camera (78 points vs 73 points). The average camera has a DxOMark sensor score of 73 points.
    78 points vs 73 points
  • Phase-detect AF for photos
    Phase-detection autofocus (photos)
    yes
    This camera supports phase-detection autofocus for photos, the average camera does not.
  • 76 more AF points
    N. of focus points
    99
    This camera has more focus points than the average camera (99 vs 23). The average camera offers 23 focus points.
    99 vs 23
  • Supports touch autofocus
    Touch autofocus
    yes
    This camera supports touch autofocus, the average camera does not. 34.9% of cameras support touch autofocus.
  • In-camera panorama mode
    In-camera panorama mode
    yes
    This camera includes an in-camera panorama mode, the average camera does not.
    Sweep Panorama
  • Phase-detect AF in video
    Phase-detection autofocus (video)
    yes
    This camera supports phase-detection autofocus in video, the average camera does not.
  • Supports 24p cinema mode
    24p cinema mode
    yes
    This camera supports 24p cinema mode, the average camera does not. 44% of cameras support this mode.
    NTSC mode required
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    Wi-Fi connectivity
    yes
    This camera supports Wi-Fi, the average camera does not. 47.8% of cameras support Wi-Fi.
  • Smartphone remote control
    Smartphone remote control
    yes
    This camera supports smartphone remote control, the average camera does not. 46.2% of cameras support smartphone remote control.
    via Imaging Edge Mobile
  • More versatile card slots
    Memory card slot types
    Memory Stick Duo + SD
    This camera uses more versatile card slots than the average camera (Memory Stick Duo + SD vs SD). The average camera supports SD memory card slot types.
    Hybrid shared slot.
    Memory Stick Duo + SD vs SD
  • Worse low-light autofocus
    AF low-light sensitivity
    0
    This camera has a worse low-light AF sensitivity than the average camera (0 EV vs -4 EV). The average camera reaches a low-light AF sensitivity of -4 EV.
    0 vs -4
  • No hot shoe
    Hot shoe
    no
    This camera does not have a hot shoe, the average camera does.
  • 2.7 fps slower mechanical burst
    Continuous shooting (mechanical)
    3 fps
    This camera has a slower mechanical burst than the average camera (3 fps vs 5.7 fps). The average camera reaches 5.7 fps.
    3 fps vs 5.7 fps
  • No flash
    Flash
    no
    This camera does not have a built-in flash, the average camera does. 73.4% of cameras have a flash.
    Bundled external flash, not built in.
  • 100 mAh smaller battery capacity
    Battery capacity
    1,020 mAh
    This camera has a lower battery capacity than the average camera (1020 mAh vs 1120 mAh). The average camera has a battery capacity of 1120 mAh.
    1,020 mAh vs 1,120 mAh
  • 93% less popular
    Sony Alpha NEX 5R is less popular than the average camera (1 vs 1.9).
    1 vs 1.93
  • Older HDMI version
    HDMI version
    1.3
    This camera uses HDMI 1.3, while the average camera uses HDMI 1.4.
    1.3 vs 1.4
  • Lower sensor resolution
    Main camera megapixels
    16.1 MP
    This camera has a lower sensor resolution than the average camera (16.1 MP vs 16.2 MP). The average camera has a sensor resolution of 16.2 MP.
    16.1 MP vs 16.2 MP
  • 93% less popular
    Sony Alpha NEX 5R is less popular than the average camera (1 vs 1.9).
    1 vs 1.93
  • No hot shoe
    Hot shoe
    no
    This camera does not have a hot shoe, the average camera does.
  • No flash
    Flash
    no
    This camera does not have a built-in flash, the average camera does. 73.4% of cameras have a flash.
    Bundled external flash, not built in.
  • Lower sensor resolution
    Main camera megapixels
    16.1 MP
    This camera has a lower sensor resolution than the average camera (16.1 MP vs 16.2 MP). The average camera has a sensor resolution of 16.2 MP.
    16.1 MP vs 16.2 MP
  • 1 older
    Release date
    2012
    This camera is older than the average camera (2012 vs 2013). The average camera was released in 2013.
    August 2012
    2,012 vs 2,013
  • Worse low-light autofocus
    AF low-light sensitivity
    0
    This camera has a worse low-light AF sensitivity than the average camera (0 EV vs -4 EV). The average camera reaches a low-light AF sensitivity of -4 EV.
    0 vs -4
  • 2.7 fps slower mechanical burst
    Continuous shooting (mechanical)
    3 fps
    This camera has a slower mechanical burst than the average camera (3 fps vs 5.7 fps). The average camera reaches 5.7 fps.
    3 fps vs 5.7 fps
  • 2 Mbps lower video bitrate
    Video bitrate
    28 Mbps
    This camera has a lower video bitrate than the average camera (28 Mbps vs 30 Mbps). The average camera records at 30 Mbps.
    28 Mbps vs 30 Mbps
  • 100 mAh smaller battery capacity
    Battery capacity
    1,020 mAh
    This camera has a lower battery capacity than the average camera (1020 mAh vs 1120 mAh). The average camera has a battery capacity of 1120 mAh.
    1,020 mAh vs 1,120 mAh
  • Older HDMI version
    HDMI version
    1.3
    This camera uses HDMI 1.3, while the average camera uses HDMI 1.4.
    1.3 vs 1.4

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

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dpreview.com
29/08/2012
Summary of the review
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cnet.com
10/12/2012
Summary of the review
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ephotozine.com
06/02/2013
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theverge.com
17/12/2012
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reviewed.com
16/11/2012
Summary of the review
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photographylife.com
11/04/2020
Summary of the review
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whatdigitalcamera.com
19/10/2012
Summary of the review
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siliconrepublic.com
13/02/2013
Summary of the review
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digitalkamera.de
03/01/2013
Summary of the review
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chip.de
06/12/2012
Summary of the review
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computerbild.de
10/12/2012
Summary of the review
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dkamera.de
08/01/2013
Summary of the review
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connect-living.de
28/01/2013
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peberhardt.net
15/07/2013
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heise.de
29/04/2014
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lesnumeriques.com
13/11/2012
Summary of the review
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viedegeek.fr
12/12/2012
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priice.fr
14/10/2013
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camerarace.com
15/01/2013
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tuexperto.com
25/10/2013
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tomshw.it
18/11/2012
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juzaphoto.com
22/10/2026
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camerarace.com
22/10/2026
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tomshw.it
18/11/2012
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tweakers.net
31/08/2012
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tweakers.net
07/06/2013
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Third-party reviews

What we like about Sony Alpha NEX 5R

  • Excellent photo quality with impressive low-light performance and dynamic range
  • Improved hybrid autofocus system featuring 99 phase-detect points for better speed
  • Highly portable, lightweight design that remains compact even with interchangeable lenses
  • 180-degree tilting touchscreen, ideal for vlogging and selfies
  • Effective manual focus aids like focus peaking and magnification
  • Strong video capabilities with 1080p recording at 24fps and 60fps

What we don't like about Sony Alpha NEX 5R

  • Frustrating and unintuitive menu system that often requires deep navigation for basic settings
  • Lack of a standard hot shoe and built-in microphone input jack
  • Poor implementation of wireless connectivity and the now-defunct app ecosystem
  • Noticeable wind noise on internal microphones during video recording
  • Resistive touchscreen is less responsive compared to more modern capacitive screens
  • Occasional lag and sluggishness when navigating menu items

Verdict

The Sony Alpha NEX-5R is a compact mirrorless camera featuring a 16.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor and the innovative Fast Hybrid AF system, which utilizes 99 phase-detection and 25 contrast-detection points for improved focus speed. Its core characteristics include a 3-inch 180° tilting touchscreen LCD ideal for vlogging, 1080p video recording at up to 60fps, built-in Wi-Fi for mobile sharing, and a high-speed burst rate of 10fps. Main pros are its excellent DSLR-level image quality in a portable magnesium alloy body, impressive high ISO performance up to 25,600, and a versatile E-mount lens system. Notable cons include the lack of a built-in flash or standard hot shoe, the absence of a dedicated microphone input jack, and a menu interface that some users find clunky and unintuitive.

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