Listen, you've had enough time to think on it --
just over 24 hours, to be less imprecise -- and now it's time to make a monetary decision on Sony's Alpha
NEX-3 / 5 interchangeable lens cameras. Pre-orders are now being accepted via the online Sony Style store; each camera comes as a kit with either the 16mm lens, or for an extra $50 the 18-55mm. Thus, we're looking at a minimum of $549.99 for the NEX-3 with 16mm, up to a penny under $700 for the NEX-5 with the more versatile eye. Lenses aren't yet sold separately, so make your choice wisely, and while you can gawk at the accessories -- optical viewfinder, A-mount lens adapter, and stereo mic, among others -- they're not yet taking your credit card details for anything but the kit right now. What's that... you
wanted the camcorder? Keep dreaming, for now.
[Thanks, Julio]
Update: The
NEX-5 and
NEX-3 are now also available for pre-order in Europe (kitted out with the 16mm glass) at price points of €599 and €499, respectively. [Thanks, Edin]
posted May 12th 2010 1:31AM
Its an interesting option. But I have too much already invested in Canon EF lenses.
@slipdisc I feel the same way but with Nikon lenses. You have to appreciate their effort here though, looks like a stellar piece of hardware and the price is great.
@slipdisc cheap enought, but i also i invested into Canon, the mighty 7D + 17-55 2.8...
I wait for the 5D Mark III now, but there's no hurry !!
@slipdisc
With a flange-focal distance(FFD) of 18mms the likelihood is that we'll see adapters so that you'll be able to mount your dSLR lenses to this camera. Much like all the adapters for the m43rds system.
A short FFD means you can bridge the gap for any mount that has a longer FFD via an adapter. And this E-mount is pretty much the shortest FFD mount there is.
But the Canon EFs will lose aperture control since it uses electric apertures, but Nikon F-mounts should work fine, as well as pretty much most other SLR and rangefinder lenses.
@slipdisc
Ditto.
Seriously, with options like the SX210IS from cannon, with 14MP, 14X optical, 720p/30, image stabalization, and amazing action shot responsiveness, and the same ISO, not to mention EyeFi, SDXC, and HDMI output, for $349 in a compact PnS, the Micro 4/3rds crowd is going to have a hard time competing.
At $700 with a good lens, and it doesn't fit in a pocket? Those on the lower end of the camera price scale should just buy a T2i which can do 1080p video and 19MP and uses EF/AF lenses... and reuse a collection of lenses later on better yet cameras.
@zelannii
first for all it's "Canon" not Cannon.
2nd, the SX210IS is not like Sony's NEX or m4/3.
3rd, have you seen the sample shots of the SX210IS in high ISO ? google it and compare it to the sample shots of the NEX. trust me, you won't have a hard time judging the huge difference of the two.
Gawd, I would love to have the time and money to invest in one of these.
Waiting for e-mount/m-mmount lens adapter :)
Camera looks great, but you might want to check your math in this post.
@nickmendez the nx5 has a $100 higher base price.
@Vaio I am just waiting for one big review to push me over the edge :)
A series mount adapter! I'm sold, but i might wait until refresh #2, I bought a cannon SX10 IS last year, and i still need to get my monies worth.
Sony Releases Product - It Costs Way Too Much.
As usual.
Nice camera I guess but I don't really trust Sony's lens quality. Their cellphones used to be above part, but their point-and-shoots were never as good as Canon.
@jellotime91 Actually, compared to m4/3 products, it is quite a bit cheaper. A Panasonic/Olympus body + 20mm f/1.7 lens will be about $800-900. This has a roughly equivalent setup for $550-650
@joefresco
You're right, it's priced well for the market it's in. I just don't really see the point of it given its lack of capabilities. I'd spend a few more and get a Canon T2i, because this Sony thing is going to be hella awkward to carry anyway.
@jellotime91 I don't know what your reference is, but when you consider Samsung's NX and the Micro FourThirds, the NEX are cheap.
@jellotime91
Agreed. Either up to a T2i or down to an SX210IS.
btw, just got the SX210 for the wife, AMAZING little camera. smaller than her old PnS, but 14MP, 14x zoom, and it takes amazing shots with no delay in button pressing. It's also really easy to use, but also has near SLR quality adjustments and settings for custom shots.
I'm still holding out for enough cash for a 7D this fall (have a PC in dire need of replacement in the shorter term), but i really could not justify a mid scale, not pocketable, camera in the $700 range, especially one only compatible with Sony lenses.
I'll wait for a few indepth reviews, thanks.
@grandmainger
Already a very in-depth review by Imaging Resource:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEX5/NEX5A.HTM
Quote review:
"We were surprised by the NEX-5's good image quality at all ISOs, and its printed quality was remarkable. For a small camera to output ISO 3,200 images that look amazing when printed at 13x19 inches: that's worth noticing. "
@Temple
indeed.
Sony's NEX pretty much destroyed the m4/3s in terms of high ISO shooting.
hopefully this will push the price of m4/3 systems down
@sibyy
Yeah, I hope so too. The sony limits you to the options of a simple p&s while the m43 are far more versatile if you need them to be.
I really wonder why they made a totally new mount with a really short flange distance at that. It will be interesting to see if the sw in the cam can correct the distortions from the lenses adequately...
@sibyy Yeah, me too. I'm quite interested in getting an E-P2, but not at the current price, especially as I'd want a few lenses as well :)
Used E-P1's are popping up at ever lower prices though, so I might just bite there soonish. And no, I don't care that the sensor is smaller than APS-C, as it gives smaller lenses as well, while still being a huge leap above point and shoots.
@Sarig & Avaron,
First of all I'm really surprised that Sony is actually providing the cheaper option!!!
Second I agree with both of your comments. Bigger sensor size might mean better ISO performance (and actually looking at some of the pictures I feel very jealous) but it also means bigger lenses and harder lens design to avoid distortions.
I'm already a GF1 owner since last December but really Panasonic and Olympus have been overcharging because of lack of competition in this segment. Especially if you look at the accessories... e.g. $200 for an EVF (i.e. just a small piece of silicon and plastic)!
@Sarig
Costco had the E-P1 new with a 4GB SD card for $499 for the past few weeks.
http://bit.ly/cQBJCP
It was supposed to end on the 9th, but looks like its still going. The non-member fee is about $25.
Engadget, you are very late with this article. Sonystyle put these cameras for pre-order a while ago (read long time back in gadget news world)
Have you guys actually looked at the image quality? There's what a 1.5 stop iso advantage over mft and that can be made up by the one stop faster prime. I also seriously have to question if the ir review was a payola sorta thing, because image quality is getting shredded all over by alpha owners, mft owners, etc. Look at previews samples and marvel at the muted lifeless soft output. It sucks cuz I Sally wanted to get one, but pass on this incarnation. Does nothing as well as any of its competitors and limits enthusiasts and pros with complicated menus and missing buttons. Fail? Probably not, they will market the he'll out of it and point and shoot up graders will likely flock...but photographers won't.
@h00ligan Sorry..previews should have been dpreviews.