Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5271 = St XII-50 on 22 May 1881. His position matches CGCG 161-120. First in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/7/97): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, no concentration. A mag 13 star lies 1.3' WNW. First in a group of faint galaxies including NGC 5274, 5275, 5277, 5280, 5282.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb