It looks like Sony's having a field day right now in Japan, making its official reveal of the
NEX3 and NEX5 cameras, the
"ultra-compact" DSLRs with interchangeable lenses we saw back at PMA. The presentation is going on as we speak, and the rumor sites seem to suggest
Digital Photography School posted (and subsequently pulled) a review of the NEX3.
Quesabesde, however, still has its preview of the not-quite-
Micro Four Thirds shooters live, and is also listing some specs and prices. First with the technical details: the NEX3 has a 14.2 megapixel sensor, support for Memory Stick and SDXC media, 720p / 30fps video, and an articulating 2.95-inch LCD. The NEX5 boasts AVCHD 1080i video, and we're not sure yet as to other differences between the pair. As for pricing, the bodies on their lonesome appear to be worth about €250 and €350, respectively -- that's $320 and $448 in US currency. Throw in a 16mm f2.8 lens for €250 and you're now looking at a minimum of €500 (or $640) to join the fray. The kits are said to be going on sale in June. Sony's official site hasn't updated yet, but with any luck we'll get the legit scoop in very short time.
Update: Sony
made it official, says a firmware update will be released this summer to capture stereoscopic 3D sweep panoramas.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted May 10th 2010 8:24PM
Ugly.
@ashleythehottiest
Really? I think it looks pretty sleek.
@ashleythehottiest 500-600 for an entry level dslr doesn't seem too bad.
@Damaga
Indeed...it is a entry level DSLR...And also, who says "not-quite-Micro Four Thirds"...? This is APS-C...a LARGER sensor than Micro4/3s...and has an actual 3:2 aspect ratio...
@Damaga
especially one that look so fly.
@Balboa
True. Cameras aren't judge by their looks but by their functionality. Seems like this one is an all-inclusive... So thumbs up.
Reallllly cool. I want! The Vaio P doesn't impress me much, but this is EPIC.
Not really. We already have a small-SLR format, Micro 4/3.
As usual, Sony creates its own proprietary crap instead of contributing to an industry standard.
@Information Central
Why do you care what I think? I certainly don't give a fuck what you think. Stop arguing for the sake of arguing. I know 4/3 is a format, it just sucks for the most part.
I could praise Android and then some Apple obsessed person will attack. If I compliment iPhone some Android cult member will attack...Lose-Lose. Too many trolls, period. No respect for different opinions. What ever happened to concept of a marketplace of ideas?
What are you getting upset about? I didn't attack you for holding your opinion. At least I had a reason; you just said "4/3 sucks". Why?
@nicholas1987ucsb
Hey, I'm going to be a jerk and step in here, and don't take too much offense I'm not trying to burn you... but if you don't give a fuck what we think and we're not supposed to give a fuck what you think, what are you doing in the comments section then? Isn't the whole point of commenting is to...um... share what you think? Wouldn't that suggest you do give a fuck what people think you think? That you got twisted over a follow-up comment... doesn't that even take it to another level where you REALLY REALLY do care?
Just saying is all.
@Hate Everything
I don't like when people just disagree for the sake of being contrarian. I said that I liked the camera and he said no "it's not cool" which is just being contrarian for the sake of partisanship. It doesn't matter what you seem do in these comments, whether it's comment on a Microsoft, Apple, Google, or whoever product, some troll comes out to argue against your "opinion." Go watch a clip of Crossfire or CSPAN if you want to see what I'm talking about, people and politicians are increasingly polarized. And what I meant by me not caring what he thinks, is I don't care about his opinion. If he liked a Vaio P I'm not going to just reply to disagree. Let people hold their opinions and you hold your own. I like the iPhone, but I also think the Zune HD is cool looking, but I won't buy it. I like this camera, but not the Vaio P. I like Android phones, but not so much Chrome browser. I don't pledge allegiance to any of these brands, I pick and choose which fits my needs and happens to work best.
Spiderman can use this when hes hanging from the ceiling.............. That is if he ever becomes a reporter.
@shoxite
...Peter parker is a freelance photographer...
@zeroinfinity2 Yeah but he isn't when hes Spiderman! :)
@shoxite fairly certain that spiderman did more photography then peter parker ever did, disregard who ever got the credit for the pictures.
Don't know, looks cool but what about a preset function wheel on top?
I want either one of these, the E-PL1, or the upcoming GF2.
Like the old school controls!
Do want
This is almost everything I want in a camera! Mirrorless format, rangefinder styling, APS-C sensor, flip LCD and silent shutter for candid shooting from the waist. Fantastic. The only things that bug me are the lack of a viewfinder, a superwide (~10-12mm), and a bright normal prime (~30mm/1.4).
@bigcow05
Also, no hotshoe or PC sync???
:O
@bigcow05
Who said that all the lenses are availabe are limited to the 4-5 posted?
More glass will become available if it catches on...but another format for lenses really is annoying...I mean, I have invested greatly in EF lenses from Cannon, Sigma, and CZ, so I really don't have the room for more...but still...this is one SLEAK camera...
@bigcow05
Based on earlier images, it will apparently have a proprietary hotshoe beneath the flap that lies just above the LCD hinge.
The iso tests on the original link looks AMAZING!
This thing can really be a replacement to my DSLR...well, at least when I am on the run/move...but the lack of proper 1080p kind of kills it...
@kapanak The NEX5 has full AVCHD 1080P, the NEX3 doesn't.
@jayayess1190 maybe Engadget miss-posted; It's possible. But as it stands the posting reads 1080i not 1080p.
@Ultracrepidation They did, every other site says 1080P.
@Ultracrepidation
Sony already said 1080p when they previewed the concepts at 2010 PMA. NEX3=720p, NEX5=1080p.
Its insane to think you can get a dSLR sensor for a little over $300 in a compact body these days. The great thing about these mirrorless cameras is that due to their short focal-flange distance, most any lens can be mounted on them via adapter.
It'll probably mount my cheap old 50mm Nikon prime, and use this as a backup camera.
1080p is meaningless unless you know what the bitrate is. And it's sure to be pretty low.
when is canon gonna make an articulating lcd???
this is y i didnt upgrade to the 7D. so hard to shoot videos without popping out the viewfinder
From the looks of it, it doesn't seem to have a 'mirror', which would render the statement ""ultra-compact" DSLRs with interchangeable lenses" false. I wish gadget blogs would start realising that not every camera with interchangeable lenses is a DLSR; perhaps they should understand what SLR actually means in terms of how a camera functions.
This coupled with my 135 F1.8 CZ, is going to be killer. Awkward but killer.
@thefiendster Would that mount? I'm pretty sure an adapter will come out, but just making sure.
excited to see how these turn out. I got into SLRs with the alpha, and not having to buy new lenses would be great. I wonder if these have internal image stabilization like the alphas do.
You'll still have to buy new lenses. At least if you want to take full advantage of this new system.
I've never really liked Sony
Wonder why?
@facethefire Because you prefer low quality products?
At what price can I find a cheap kit that uses memory cards not film? And where can I find this kit? I wanna test out photography.
Oh yea and this cam looks sweet.
@Teerim
Film? Seriously? Did you just travel in time? This is a DIGITAL camera, with MemoryStick, and SD support...(with the latest, SDXC, supported as well).
Are these compatible with the current Minolta/Sony Alpha lens mount? I'd wager a guess that in order to take advantage of the mirrorless format, they shortened the flange back distance compared to an Alpha-mount SLR. Taking this guess one step further I'd say there will probably be mirrorless-specific lenses. Ideally the mount would retain full compatibility with existing Alpha-mount lenses using some kind of spacer accessory. Kind of like using Four Thirds lenses on a Micro Four Thirds body. The difference of course being that you have access to all the lenses made for Minolta/Sony dSLRs, and all the lenses for Minolta film SLRs dating back to the mid 80s.
FYI on flange back distance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance
One thing I wonder is whether the lenses of this system are still going to be primarily body driven or will they all have a dedicated motor? It the latter, that could create a compatibility issue with the majority of Minolta/Sony AF lenses which do rely on a motor inside the body. (unless you equipped the adapter with one)
@Plothole I just looked at the source link and it says "Lens: Sony E Series mount" so I assume it's not the same as the A-mount. No word on backward compatibility. One thing I noticed is definitely different is that the E Series Mount has electrical contacts towards the bottom of the flange. There's similar contacts at the *top* of the A-mount flange. So yeah, not holding my breath for an autofocus adapter. But with the short flange back distance I'm sure there'll be plenty of manual adapters, as are available for Micro Four Thirds.
@msatlas Actually I should have read a little more, it lists am "Adaptador Alpha (LA-EA1)" for 200 euro. So there'll be some kind of adapter. I guess we'll have to wait and see on compatibility. Reading > me.
@msatlas Hmm. From what I see there won't be an in-body image stabilization, not so good for all those Alpha lenses.
@Atkins
Unfortunately that makes sense. Sony has traditionally been a proponent of lens based stabilization. Probably the only reason they have IBIS for their Alpha system is because that's what Minolta used.
Well it's been confirmed by the DPR preview: No autofocus for legacy lenses.
@Plothole I am more worried now about something else - lac of buttons. It seems you must go inside the menus for basic adjustments.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEX5/NEX5A.HTM
Oh well. I almost considered a Sony dslr but ended up with Pentax because of better backward compatibility and features/price ratio of the K-x vs. A500/A550. Sony will probably have a better go of things in the EVIL market than dSLRs.
beastly