Sony Alpha NEX NEX5K/B Review

I like photography and wish to own a camera with me as usually as potential, however carrying an SLR digital camera in any respect times is a smaller amount than sensible. however i need higher image quality than most cellphones and point-and-shoots are capable of. Thankfully, a replacement section of cameras has appeared on the market that bridges the gap between these 2 varieties of cameras… sufficiently little to suit in your pocket, however no sacrifice in image quality. With massive image sensors and interchangeable lenses, these cameras supply abundant of a DSLR’s functionality however with a way smaller physical footprint.

Why Sony Alpha NEX NEX5?

Sony’s NEX series of cameras is that the most up-to-date entry into that class of little cameras with interchangeable lenses. I picked a Sony NEX five whereas on vacation in London over the summer and having been using it quite a little since. it's an incredible very little camera that packs lots of capabilities into a awfully little package, however it isn’t while not its drawbacks.

First, let’s get a number of the specs out of the way:

• The quality of a DSLR in about half the size, weight
• World's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera
• Same APS-C sensor size, same resolution as Alpha DSLRs
• 14.2 MP; up to 7 fps shooting; ISO 12800 sensitivity
• World's first in class1 with 1080/60i Full HD movies

As stated previously, this can be a awfully little digital camera. The NEX five body is that the size of a typical point-and-shoot camera (about 4” wide and 2” tall) and with the 16mm f/2.8 lens hooked up, it will simply slot in most pockets. Sony claims that this can be the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital camera and that i am inclined to believe them. Despite its little size, this can be a reasonably rugged camera too… an all metal body with terribly solid, durable construction. Most of the rear of the unit is occupied by an outsized, tilting, 3” high-resolution LCD screen that's a pleasure to look at. there's no optical viewfinder on this camera, however the screen is therefore nice that I rarely found myself missing the eyepiece.

More importantly, with the proper lens hooked up, the image quality of the NEX five is beautiful. Below may be a shot taken with my NEX five close to my home. nice detail and colours for such alittle camera.

I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked by the NEX 5’s pictures though. It options a 14mp APS-C sensor… constant size sensor as found in most DSLR’s. By removing the mirror mechanism, Sony was able to take the heart of a DSLR and cram it into this terribly little package while not sacrificing abundant quality within the method. The camera will shoot up to a whopping 7fps and captures superb 1080i video still. Low lightweight performance is spectacular too… ISO ranges from two hundred to 12800 and is produces pretty sensible results even at higher levels:

Another sudden edges of the NEX five has been the explosion of lens adapters out there. you'll be able to attach Sony’s larger A-Mount DSLR lenses to the camera, however there are adapters out there for Canon, Nikon, Leica and additional. Most of those adapters can solely support manual focus, however it’s nice to own the choice to use a number of your existing lenses if you have already got a standard DSLR.

So, with all that I actually have already said, i need to fully love the camera and provides it a high recommendation for anyone, right? Well… just about. There are some downsides to the NEX five that ought to be thought-about before creating a purchae.

First and foremost is that the price: the NEX five isn't low cost. the smallest amount expensive package (the NEX five camera and a 16mm f/2.8 “pancake” lens) is $650. For $150 additional, you'll be able to develop a kit with an extra lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 image stabilized) and alittle flash. however at a value between $650 and $799, the NEX five is clearly in DSLR-pricing territory. for many folks, this suggests selecting between the NEX and a Canon T2i or a Nikon D3100. Sony will supply a NEX three for $549, however you'll hand over the metal body and higher-resolution video capability of the five.

The next hit to the NEX five is additionally one in all its advantages: its size. Sure, with the 16mm f/2.8 pancake lens hooked up, the NEX five is fairly svelte and is straightforward to hold in an exceedingly bag or pocket. Attach a special lens though (such because the 18-55mm) and any thoughts of putting this camera in your pocket can immediately soften away. is that the camera still smaller and lighter than a DSLR? Totally. however if the dimensions suggests that you have got to hold one thing around in an additional bag or on a camera strap anyway, why not simply grab your DSLR instead?

Another issue is that the lens choice. The NEX five uses a replacement lens mount (the E mount) and therefore the pool of lenses designed for it's pretty sparse. Sony solely has 3 choices out there right now: the 16mm f/2.8, an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and an 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3. Granted, this can be a replacement camera system and it takes time for lenses to be developed, however that doesn’t amendment the actual fact that DSLR’s from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc. all have dozens of lenses out there already. Even the equally sized Micro 4/3rds cameras from Olympus and Panasonic have additional lens choices on the market.

My final criticism is with the controls (or lack thereof). I do appreciate the sparse, minimalist style of the camera, however I quickly realize myself missing dedicated controls for things like ISO, WB, Focus area, etc. With the foremost recent firmware put in, a number of this stuff is assigned to 1 of the two custom buttons on the camera, however it still feels terribly restricted. And even when months of use, I still can’t work out some way to lock exposure on a subject matter and recompose the image. This camera feels additional sort of a point-and-shoot in these respects and you’ll have to be compelled to be willing to offer up some level of management whereas using it.

The NEX five is reasonably a weird beast and that i have some bother working out specifically where it fits within the grand theme of things. Is it meant to switch my purpose and shoot? If therefore, it's too huge with something apart from the 16mm lens hooked up. Is it meant to switch my DSLR? Sorry, i'm not leaving behind my dedicated controls and enormous assortment of lenses. therefore there the NEX five sits… the odd middle kid that doesn’t have a transparent plan of what it's speculated to be.

Strangely enough though, I don’t regret buying the camera at all… actually, I went on to shop for another for my wife. The NEX five has become the camera i am going to after I simply desire a fast image while not an excessive amount of effort and it's the additional advantage of manufacturing pretty nice results. I keep the NEX five (with the pancake lens attached) in my messenger bag all the time still, therefore it's sometimes the most effective camera I actually have with me at any given time. after I travel currently, as well, this can be the camera that comes along for the ride… the DSLR generally stays home.

Sony Alpha NEX NEX5: Conclusion

Would i take advantage of it as my primary camera? most likely not, for all the negatives listed on top of. But, if you'll be able to abdomen the price, it makes a extremely convenient and fun second camera. within the future, with a lower value and additional out there lenses, I might see this being a awfully solid camera system. For currently though, the majority are most likely higher sticking to their DSLR/P&S combo.

Title Post: Sony Alpha NEX NEX5K/B Review
Rating: 100% based on 2069 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: the Wicaksonos Family

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