The 16-megapixel Sony Alpha NEX-5N ($699.99 with 18-55mm kit lens, direct) is both the follow-up to Sony's very popular NEX-5 camera and the big brother to our Editors' Choice Alpha NEX-C3 ($649.99, 4.5 stars). For an extra $50 you gain 1080p AVCHD video recording, an option to add the FDA-EV1S external OLED electronic viewfinder ($349.99 direct), a magnesium body, a touch screen, and a deeper handgrip. Unlike the NEX-5, the 5N is no longer the top-end model in its product family. Sony has announced the NEX-7 ($1,349.99 with 18-55mm lens, direct), a 24-megapixel monster with the OLED EVF built into the body and other professional features, including a hot shoe. The sharp divide in price between the top end of the NEX line and the two lower-priced family members puts the NEX-5N in a somewhat awkward position. It would be a snap to recommend the NEX-5N if it and the NEX-7 were the only cameras in the line. But overall, the NEX-C3 performs better in low light and represents a slightly better value.

Design and Features
Like the NEX-C3 and cameras that are part of the Micro Four Thirds system, such as the Olympus PEN E-PL3 ($699.99, 3.5 stars), the NEX-5N uses interchangeable lenses, just like a D-SLR camera. Unlike an SLR, these cameras lack mirrors and optical viewfinders—instead relying on their LCDs to frame shots. This allows for smaller camera bodies, and many adapters are available to allow for use of older lenses. Sony has two adapters available to let you use its Alpha SLR lenses on NEX cameras. The LA-EA1 ($199.99 direct) uses slower contrast detection for autofocus, while the more expensive LA-EA2 ($399.99) supports fast phase detect autofocus.

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The camera itself measures 2.4 by 4.4 by 1.6 inches (HWD), only slightly deeper than the 2.4-by-4.4-by-1.3-inch NEX-C3. The extra depth is due to the 5N's hand grip, which protrudes a bit further. I found this more comfortable to hold, although the position of the camera's right strap lug is still a bit troublesome. I had to weave the strap in between my thumb and index finger when holding the camera to maintain access to the controls while holding the 5N securely. The camera weighs 9.5 ounces without a lens, only slightly less than the 9.8-ounce NEX-C3. The magnesium body feels more solid than the plastic NEX-C3. It also makes the 5N a bit lighter than the C3, even though it is slightly larger.

The bundled 18-55mm lens is about the same size as you'll see included with many D-SLRs—about 2.4 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches in depth. The 5N's APS-C sensor is about 75 percent the size of a 35mm negative, the same size sensor found in most consumer D-SLRs. The Olympus PEN E-PM1 ($499.99, 4 stars) uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is only half the size of 35mm film, and the Nikon J1's ($649.95, 4 stars) CX format sensor is roughly a quarter the size of a film frame. These cameras are able to use smaller lenses, as they have less surface area to cover, but sacrifice the ability to blur the background of an image using shallow depth of field in doing so.

Sony has added a touch screen to the 5N, but has not done so at the cost of physical control buttons. The large 3-inch LCD tilts up and down, just like the other cameras in the NEX series, and is quite crisp thanks to a 921k-dot resolution. You can touch options on the screen, or press the corresponding buttons, to adjust most settings. One of the touch-exclusive features is the ability to tap an area of the frame to activate tracking focus. This comes in handy when you want to maintain focus on a moving subject, like a dog or a baby, as the camera does a good job at maintaining focus on the subject you've selected. I'm generally frustrated by cameras that rely exclusively on a touch interface, as the settings are more quickly adjusted via traditional buttons. The hybrid approach that Sony has used for the 5N makes it possible to use buttons for most functions and to touch the screen for specific purposes. I don't view the touch screen as a major plus—it's only useful to activate the tracking focus—but it is in no way a detriment. If you're adamantly anti-touch, be happy in knowing that it can be disabled via a menu setting.

The menu system is broken down by function. An on-screen Shoot mode replaces the traditional mode dial, and you can adjust autofocus area, drive mode, and other settings in the Camera submenu. There are also menus for Image Size, Brightness/Color, Playback, and Setup, although you won't have to delve into them on a regular basis thanks to the 5N's customizable controls. You can assign custom functions to three of the rear controls—the bottom button, right on the four-way command dial, and the button in the center of the dial. Dedicated physical buttons are also available for exposure compensation, drive mode, playback, and video recording, minimizing the amount of time you spend paging through menus.

Although you don't get a built-in flash, Sony has included a detachable flash that screws into the camera's accessory port. The flash adds a bit of height to the camera, but if you find yourself using it frequently it is best to leave it attached. It is hinged so that it will only fire when you raise it. Of course, as it occupies the accessory port, you won't be able to use the optional EVF accessory and the flash at the same time.

The NEX-5N also supports Sony’s Anti-Motion Blur, Sweep Panorama, and 3D Sweep Panorama shooting modes. Anti-Motion Blur is useful for low-light situations where you can’t use a fast shutter speed or the flash. It captures six frames in rapid succession and processes them to create one image that reduces both camera shake and image noise. Sweep Panorama and 3D Sweep Panorama mode record a series of images as you pan the camera. They’re stitched together to make one wide shot. When viewed on a 3D HDTV, the results of the 3D mode are pretty impressive—you get a nice amount of depth to the image, and the wide 9:2 aspect ratio allows for creative compositions.