(UPDATED) Which One is Which? Sony NEX 5N vs Canon 5D Mk II

by Chris Gampat on 02/02/2012

Recently at a concert in Brooklyn, I took the Sony NEX 5n and 50mm f1.8 along for a ride. Since I needed my 5D Mk II and 85mm f1.8 that day as well, they just happened to be on me at the time. During the concert, I got curious about their performance against one another and shot the following two photos. Can you discern which is which?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Photo 1 is from the Sony NEX 5n and Photo 2 is from the Canon 5D Mk II. The hints: Canon renders warmer images out of the box plus it did indeed misfocus in such low lighting conditions. The center focusing point is its strongest one. The NEX 5n nailed it in low light. Part of it also has to do with the focal lengths.

Gear Used

Canon 5D Mk II

Canon 85mm f1.8

Sony NEX 5n

Sony 50mm f1.8 (NEX)

Process

Both images were shot from approximately the same area and I tried to capture essentially the same scene. They were exposed with the same settings and focused on the same spot (ISO 800, 1/100th at f2.) Amazingly, the NEX 5n’s LCD showed me a much better image than the 5D Mk II’s LCD showed me. When brought into Lightroom 4 though, the truth came out: the images looked remarkably similar.

They were sized down to 2MB files and placed down below for your observation. No edits were done to the images at all.

Images

Photo 1

Photo 2

Which one is which, can you tell? Let us know in the comments below. No peaking at the EXIF data. We’ll eventually reveal which one is which.

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Tagged as: Canon 5D Mk II, canon 85mm f1.8, comparison, concert, image quality, Sony 50mm f1.8, Sony NEX 5n

  • http://twitter.com/tadeobiologo Tadeo -_- **

    i vote for 5D on the first and NEX 5N on the second one

  • Mlbasel

    The red face is made by sony.

    • Doug b

      I’ll take that bet! I think Sony would produce more yellows than reds.

  • Anonymous

    since the first one is so much better, logic would make me think that thats the 5d. BUT if it was then this would be too obvious. Therefore i think the first one is the nex

    • Anonymous

      plus you said that the nex looked great on the lcd and the first one has more DOF

      • Anonymous

        And the 2nd photo is slightly closer than the 1st one. (the nex would have an equiv. focal leghnth of 75mm whereas the canon has an 85mm )

    • Yann

      I made exactly the same conclusion. First picture is sony’s NEX.

  • Boumbaier

    Singer of th second one is out of  focus, focus on the drums, so there are not the same……

    • Mikhail Davydov

      Also white balance, second one is much warmer.

  • Catherine Sinclair

    Well the white balance and focus are off on the second, and the grain isn’t as good so I am hoping the first shot is the 5D and the second the Sony.

  • http://twitter.com/MicheleMarri michelemarri

    photo 1 = canon

    photo 2 = sony new

  • http://tttfotolithuania.blogspot.com/ tttfoto

    1. sony and 2 Canon low light focus not good from the 5D

    • Tim

      I hope that the fact that a $550 camera can compete with a $2100 camera is pretty amazing. I hope that is not lost. Granted one is 3 year old technology but regardless, pretty amazing.

  • Anonymous

    well, the first one is focused on the person and the second on the drum stand. Also, considering the oversensitivity to red and yellow, and the blur, both on the second image, I sure hope that is NOT the Canon, given that I am preparing to purchase the 5d m2! In 3 seconds I could fix that first image via aperture or lightroom, no worries — the second is trouble though, imo.

    • Anonymous

      You’ve made some very good points. I’m waiting for more comments and I will reveal the answer later.

      *-Chris Gampat*
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  • boris

    1st one -sony
    2nd one-canon

    • Anonymous

      Why do you say so?

      *-Chris Gampat*
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  • http://twitter.com/thesignified Ed Firmage

    1st – Canon
    2nd – NEX

    Lots of fringing on the sleeve of the singer, and poor skin tones on the second.

  • http://twitter.com/mikemuch Michael Muchmore

    1 looks much more natural, so I’d say that’s the 5D

  • Stealther

    I was able to tell mainly because I recognized how Canon handled noise, but not really a good comparison since the focus point wasn’t the same or you just missed focus on one of them.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=586103239 Elaine Dudzinski

    I like the first photo better than the second one. I think it may be the Sony, but not sure. I would think the Canon would get it better though.

  • DrB330

    All I know is, I’m so getting a 5N.

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  • http://malcolmgarn.com/ Malcolm GARN

    Does anyone noticing the focus of the second picture?
    We can clearly see that the guitar casing is in focus in the second picture
    (lower right) and not the musician. In the first picture the casing is out of
    focus, as it should be. I don’t think it is fair to compare those 2 pictures…

    • Anonymous

      Please read the previous comments. That focusing is a hint that’s going right over your head.

      -Chris Gampat
      Editor in Chief
      The Phoblographer

      • Jano Haluska

        => so the first image must be Sony (different perspective proves it): 
        - it can use face detection, so it can focus to the musician
        - 5D have AF points only in the center, so it can’t focus there

        • 3dit0r

          The 5Dmkii doesn’t just have a centre focus point, you can choose a number of points, most are actually off-centre and there is certainly one around the spot where the musician is. The focus point is not the distinctive feature, but the relative depth of focus and dimensionally are. For what it’s worth, my reasons for suspecting #1 is the NEX-5N and #2 it the 5Dmkii are-
          -#1 has greater depth of focus, characteristic of a 50mm rather than the 85mm on the canon
          -#1 also has more ‘dimensionality’, again characteristic of a wider lens.
          I’d like to see a comparison with the same focus point and matched white balance under similar conditions though. The arresting thing to me is how good #1 is- shows how sensors have come on in 3 years or so. Sony has more neutral colours too, I’m used to working in film and broadcast and I’d say the Sony is a dead giveaway there.

  • NEXfive

    The first picture does look more like what comes out of my NEX-5, quite good but often with colours lacking some real excitement (e.g. like on photos showing this famous Zeiss 3D style). Choosing the suitable Creative Style is quite important using a NEX. Since my analogue Canon A-1 era does not count anymore I read about Canon EF rendering warmer colours, but the second picture would be more a caricature of that with that sunburned face, but I’ve got to admit he’s looking more alive on the second picture.

  • Mmmkvista

    I am an owner of Alpha a550 and EOS 5D2.
    I am very used to the Sony yellowish picture. And I have to say, the Sony has a better low light auto focus than the 5d2. So based on this two hints, I would guess the first one is the NEX 5n and the 2nd is 5D2, although it is hard to believe.

  • hugo

    on color alone I am quite certain the second shot is from a canon camera.
    also, the first shot looks a lot cooler, which is characteristic of sony sensors in sony cameras

    1: nex5
    2: canon

    • LU

       same here! Cold colors= Nex. The second being out of focus (clearlythe photographer’s fault) only warme colors can point to the 5d2.

  • Dez

    Highlights blown out on the first shot on the upper-left corner, so definitely first shot: NEX, second shot: 5D2.

    • Denisukob

      Hey, Nex 5n has more dynamic range than 5dmkII just saying ha ha

  • ash

    The first is the Nex5N and the 2nd the 5d – the low light imaging on the 5N is remakarble and this image proves it!

  • Borut

    1st is NEX and 2nd is Canon.
    How do I tell: 
     - 2nd image is “larger” (has more pixels)
     - 1st image is cropped a bit more (75 equiv vs 85)
     - Sony sensor colours beat canon colours any time of the day, especially in low light …

  • Hamid S.

    1ST Picture is NEX-5N 
    2ND Picture is Canon 5D Mark 2

    why i say this ? 
    1.because of the focus points on the canon 5dmark 
    2.There is more details in the back, look at the box grids..  
    3. the chromatic aberration on the first picture looks like from Sony

    but at the end, maybe i am lost and my eyes dont see what is  nex and what 5D :)

  • wow!

    Photo 1 = NEX-5N and Photo 2 = Canon EOS 5D Mk II

  • Archeroo997

    The first is the Sony & the second is the Canon

  • 3dit0r

    I’m pretty sure I know which is which, as I own both cameras. *If* I’m right, it would fully justify why I bought my little NEX-5N as a ‘walkaround’ camera, absolutely wonderful, and am rapidly using it more and more. With Sony/Zeiss hopefully releasing better lenses soon, and hopefully with a firmware update to provide a few much needed features, i.e. wider exposure bracketing (2/3 stop is a JOKE Sony), and 24P/60P added to UK/European models (and with the NEX-FS100 PLEASE Sony) I will sell my 5D and buy fully into both systems. Has the capability to be truly wonderful. Manual focusing with auto zoom and peaking is a DREAM, thank you Sony!

  • Donald R Leblanc

    Photo # 1 Canon
    Photo # 2 Nex

    • Anonymous

      I’d greatly appreciate it if everyone please give explanations as to why they are saying their answers.

      *-Chris Gampat*
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  • karin

    1 = NEX and 2 = 5D Mk II

  • Kainosktisi51902

    i think the first one is the nex based solely on the magnification of the image..50mm on the nex would be 75 and the canon full-frame is at 85, so the subject would be bigger. but skin-tone wise i truly thought at first glance the second one was the nex….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DHBCYXL45YO7HHERWHRUKTUAPA Secret

    When there’s a miss on autofocusing in a low light condition, then that’s what the Canon 5dmk2 do more than Nex-5N.
    Good Job Sony!! 

    Although the WB seems alittle too cold on the 1st, but it can be fixed in a matter of second in PP 

    Picture 2: Canon 5dmk2

  • Ryan Woo

    1. sony
    2. canon

    the color in 1st pic is more like the color in my nex

  • LU

    First one has cold colors, less details at the back (drums), less depth of field. Clearly an APSC sensor.
    Second one is blurred but that’s the photog’s fault since he didn’t focus on the singer, warm colors clearly Canon’s.
    I’ve own both and hated the Nex (APSC sensor and AA filter) 5d2 too but FF so def not the same story…

  • AsleepT

    Focus point is different on the two photographs.

    #2 is focused on a plane that includes the unknown (to me) oddly shape metal object in the lower right corner.

    #1 is focused on a plane that includes the singer’s right elbow. 

    #1 appears to have deeper DOF, so I’m calling it the NEX 5N shot.

  • U96

    I am using 5N.So the WB of #2 is a typical Sony flavor. #1′s low saturation and worse ISO performance is the give-out of a 5D2. 5N’s ISO1600 is even better than it.

    #1 is 5D2; #2 is 5N

  • Gianluca Lastoria

    Very easy: the focus on the second one is wrong, it must be a Canon ;-)

  • Anonymous

    1: Nex, 2: Canon. I recognize the noise pattern of the Sony, and the redish colours of the second photo indicates a Canon. The first is the superior picture, primarily because of the focus, but also the white balance. It’s difficult to say anything about the relative detail captured by each though, as the Canon is not in focus (on the subject).

  • Abroad

    “it did indeed misfocus in such low lighting conditions.”I can hardly believe this! The photographer DID misfocus not the 5d2.I’ve done more than 20 000 concerts pics for magazine and never blamed any misfocus on the camera. In low light, at 1.8 you DO have to pick your AF point…

    • Anonymous

      Yes, and I picked the top right one.

      The 5D Mk II misfocuses terribly in low light unless you use the center point. The point of this was to have the same composition and focus on the same area.

      The 5D Mk II didn’t.

      I’ve also shot loads of concert photos for magazines and such and go for the 7D with 35mm f1.4 L due to its superior focusing algorithms.

      I’m assuming you focus and recompose if you use the 5D Mk II. In which case, that’s even worse. You’re purposely throwing off the plane of focus.
      *-Chris Gampat*
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      • Abroad

        ” I’m assuming you focus and recompose if you use the 5D Mk II. In which
        case, that’s even worse. You’re purposely throwing off the plane of
        focus.” you obviously don’t know what you are talking about…concerning what I do when I’m shooting…
        Anyway I’m sure you’re sure you kow and all is well :-)

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