Sony NEX-5 Hands-On Preview

[bymacorg16]

Gertrudes

[motabbirh]

hi i just bought a sony nex 5 with 18-55 lens but how do i manual open and release shutter for taking dreamy water effect, please help me i am a new to photography,

[dinnerandashow]

I agree.

There should be a single push dial for adjusting aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance. I don't want to have to go through the menus for these things.

And YES ! There should be a audio in jack for a external mic or external remote mic receiver.

There should also be a flash jack for external flash.

And no remote? How much space and money would it have cost to add a infrared remote?

Also the ability to power off USB power. Required for studio setup with external monitor.

[LiivingMyLife]

why did sony give the nex 3 a flat grip -.- just to give consumers a reason to buy the more expensive nex5? <.< . . ill buy the nex 5 though

[vnk956]

which is the best choice nikon d3100(kit) or sony nex 3(kit)

shld i wait till the sony hx 100v comes out

pls reply

[WhatDigitalCamera]

@vnk956 These are three very different, seemingly random cameras. The Nikon is a DSLR, the Sony a CSC and the HX100 a compact. Before you loo at specific models decide what type of camera you want, based on the type of photography you do. Do you want to be able to change the lenses? If so rule out compacts. How important is the size? CSC’s are smaller, but they don’t have optical viewfinders. Our website has lots of advice on choosing a camera, or go into a camera shop and handle a few.

[justawordaway]

I want to buy this camera. Shall I buy the one that comes with only 18-200mm lens or shall I buy the one that comes with 18-55mm and a 16mm kit.

[thednatribe]

you did an excellent job on this review

excellent

[homyung91]

What is that cap thing called? Does any body know?

[rrjavierr]

search for "iPhone 4 vs. Sony Ex1 720p video test" at youtube please....

or look at my uploaded videos of the poor quality of that camera.

[djrstaffhorst]

Is it possible to zoom with the pancake lens?

[AesirSovann]

sir, is this better than the d3000?

[RUBYALAM1]

can i take moon shoot with nex-5

[TechStories79]

Would something like this be on par with say a Nikon D90 or D3100 ??

[mtxgamer]

would you go with the canon 500d or this?

[mshahtan]

do you think this camera is better than a panasonic gf1? i really want to shift to a dslr camera and these interchangebale lens camera are the only ones that dont make you look like a photographer for hire so if you take into accout the image and video quality and how the lenses compare, which one would you recommend?

[KiyomiTakada]

What's the difference between NEX3 and NEX5?

[WhatDigitalCamera]

@KiyomiTakada NEX 3 is polycarbonate, has a smaller grip and 720p movies. NEX 5 is magnesium alloy and has 1080p movies. That's about it.

[agaovito]

hi? nice vid, planning to get mine this month.. which do you prefer nex3 or nex 5.!? tnx.

[EverythingisFire]

@agaovito

They're pretty much the same camera except that the NEX-5 is able to take 720 & 1080 HD videos, that alloy body and a beefier grip for better handling. It's pretty much up to you if you want to spend an extra $100 for those features there. I haven't been able to hold the NEX-5 but the 3 was comfortable and light. Even though the body was plastic it didn't exactly feel "cheap" to me. I'll be shelling out the extra money for the "5", most likely.

[resmediamarketing]

This was a good video, thanks.

The killing point for me was the non standard 3.5 mic.

Shame on you Sony.

[QuikSllver]

how much is 18-200 , i cant find the price on website

[EverythingisFire]

@QuikSllver

I believe it's $800

[EsotericDesi01]

Can you Zoom w/ that camera? or no zoom? What's the optical zoom on Sony Nex 5?

[WhatDigitalCamera]

@EsotericDesi01 Yes, depending on which lens you have fitted: the 18-55mm zoom, 18-200mm zoom or 16mm pancake (non zoom) are the current options.

[J2ozac]

@EsotericDesi01 or use the a-mount adapter to attach sony α or Leica M lenses

[Cjarreola93]

How would the Sony NEX-5 compare to Canon's G11?

I'm looking for a DSLR quality camera but in a smaller, compact body.

Between the two, I'm more leaning toward to the G11 due to the price, but I'm not sure yet.

[WhatDigitalCamera]

@Cjarreola93 NEX5 would produce much better image quality (due to larger APS-C sensor) but for enthusiast looking for manual control the G11 would provide a much better user experience. NEX-5 is designed for point-and-shoot. It's pretty frustrating if you want to take control yourself.

[soskid]

@Cjarreola93 The image quality of the NEX-5 blows the new canon G12 away and certainly the G11.

[Cjarreola93]

@soskid Lucky I got a got a NEX-5. :D

With the new 3.0 firmware, the UI made a huge improvement in changing certain controls (ISO, Focus, Metering, White Balance, etc) faster. I'm happy with it and plus I keep getting nice comments about my camera. x)

[lam3run]

How many fps this camera can shot in 1080p?

[Rockstarx199]

I would like to know if this camera performes well enough for its price and how the picture quality is.

[dakaraabbccdd]

Menu, menu, menu, menu...

if you are an Menu person, buy this camera... u need to press menu button ALL THE TIME..

oh by the way, what's so great about the Panorama feature?? Do you take panorama photos every day???

[merthyrmafia]

Looks like a poor man's Canon G9!

[TheMrhatpino]

i got a question. so next year i am gonna study photographie.

and i was wondering if i could use this camera?

sorry for my bad english. i'm from belgium

[WhatDigitalCamera]

@TheMrhatpino If you're looking at studying to become a professional camera I would not buy this. Its not a professional system. 99% of pros use Nikon or Canon. Get an affordable that you can build on and upgrade the body later when you can afford it. - eg Canon EOS 550D, Nikon D90.

[Twisterr1000]

Dus f 18-55mm lens have better zoom than the 16mm

[cricrijobim]

where is the zoom??????

[mmmkkkeee]

@cricrijobim It's in the lens (like on a DSLR)... If you put in the 18-55 mm lens you can zoom (from 18mm to 55 mm), but the kit 16mm lens is a fixed focal length (a prime lens)...

It can't zoom, but is more sharp and takes in more light (low apeture = better night shots)...

[arnoldgd84]

whats the difference between 18-55mm lens and 16mm lens?

[zobs1234]

excellent quick intelligent review with no offtopics and "lags"... :)

[zulfitareen]

nice review. thank you.

your review helped me make up my mind to buy it.

[nicechewi]

thanks for the review

[dakaraabbccdd]

is there any Art Filter in the NEX5?? I'm thinking to get either Nex5 or E-PL1... and i need the Art Filter instead of using PC software..

[ourtvchannel]

No viewfinder!

Why? Do these people ever take photos in the bright sunshine - they clealry need to get out of the labs and try to use these cameras in the real world. So what if they ever sell a viewfinder. If will be gross, expensive and ugly. Build one in, it needed - like a car needs wheels!

Poor review, again, just the sony press release and specs, what is the point without real photos to test against the competition.

Nice location, must start reviewing cameras for a living myself.

[tbcass]

@ourtvchannel This camera is not for you. The intended market, P&S shooters, never use eye level viewfinders as witness the large numbers of P&S cameras without viewfinders. Don't criticize a product because it does not suit your needs. Just don't buy it. This is for P&S users who want DSLR quality photos with P&S simplicity. Initial tests indicate excellent IQ up to iso 3200.

[ourtvchannel]

@tbcass they never use what no one gives them! trust me - wait a few years and they will be given view finders. its just a game to ensure that next year photo journalists have something to write about - dont believe me? just look at this years high end camcorders - what is back - viewfinders ! funny that - ps i want a ps camera with a large sensor and small size - i dont want a crippled camera with the bits missing sold as ugly expensive extras.

[Laxe84]

By far the best video preview I've seen of this model yet! I'll definitely be buying the magazine for the review as I'm looking to move up from a Panasonic TZ7 but don't want the bulk of a normal DSLR camera.

One question: How do the Sony lenses (E-mount etc.) compare to the more common lenses you can find for Nikkon/Cannon DSLRs?

[tbcass]

@Laxe84 The lenses are on a par with similar kit lenses that come with Canon and Nikon DSLR's.

[ShAwNeXsHeN]

Can't wait until Canon & Nikon getting in on the action

[europanoramic]

why are you speaking like a machinegun?

[davomrmac]

I hope to review this at some stage. Looks very interesting.

[bearmode]

i would like to know how well the "defocus background" works for portraits with the kit lenses...would it be possible to show samples of that? or show a video of you actually defocusing the background with this new function?

[WhatDigitalCamera]

@bearmode We have some full resolution image samples on our website, including shots showing background defocus (the portrait and the picture of the dog). Both shot with the 18-55mm kit lens. You don't get massively shallow DoF with that lens because it isn't that long and max aperture not that wide. Would work better with the 18-200mm lens when that comes.

To see the sample pics go to whatdigitalcamera website, then on the nav bar 'equipment and reviews', then 'Test Images'.

[fallenembers08]

If this camera had a viewfinder with it, i would love this as a backup to my dslr. :P

[1986Chaitanya]

@fallenembers08 As far as I remember 16mm kit does come with a viewfinder, but you can use either flash or viewfinder as they both share the same accessory port on top of camera. I am planning to buy it with 16mm kit as it would perfect a travel companion.

[WhatDigitalCamera]

@1986Chaitanya I don't think the optical viewfinder comes with the 16mm lens (not in the UK, anyway) but it can be bought as an optional extra for less than £100. It is matched to the 16mm field of view though.

[1986Chaitanya]

@WhatDigitalCamera I knew it was optional extra but 100GBP is too much compared to that Olympus offering of EVF for similar pricing is much better. Hope Sony will rectify that before launch. I am planning to get NEX5 with 16mm as a traveling companion.

[123azo0oze123]

nice review :)

if anyone can help me please on this i want to get the 1st camera should i get this one or the TX7 is better for me i like the NEX-5 but I'm just wondering what's the good one for me as 1st time on cameras so if anyone can help me on this please :) tell me what's the best for me

[lexam55]

dont worry maybe next model..

[afifishak]

No caption closing? stupid

[mahamza86]

Finally, Nigel and WDC are back in form.

Waiting for more