Sony's
NEX-3 and
NEX-5 cameras certainly boast the features to get any camera nerd excited -- interchangeable lenses in a form factor smaller than
Micro Four Thirds but with an image sensor 50% bigger -- but the big question remaining is how they'll actually hold up in use. Unfortunately, according to
Digital Photography Review at least, the cameras seem to be a bit of a mixed bag. While the site says that they are unquestionably a "brave and interesting attempt to redefine the camera," it says that they also represent a "distinctly unsteady first step." The biggest problem with them, it seems, is that the much of the high-end capabilities of the cameras are hindered by "one of the strangest interfaces" seen in some time, which the site says is confusing at times and "actively unhelpful" at others. Both cameras are also said to suffer from poor startup and shot-to-shot times, lackluster battery life, and a video mode that offers high quality video but decidedly limited controls. On the upside, the cameras do apparently mostly deliver the goods when it comes to image quality (especially with their high ISO capabilities), and the build quality is said to be solid, particularly on the NEX-5. Still looking for more? Hit up the link below for the full review.
posted June 7th 2010 9:51PM
I read that as Nexu5. I'm weird.
@Colours
I think today is a good day for any gadget to make an appeareance on engadget. there's a lot of traffic thanks to apple announcements and, I don't know for others but in my case, any non-apple article is much appreciated. almost a relief to read.
was hoping for a more positive review of these camera, though.
How do these compare with the pen?
@The Geek
Pen drawings might be artistic, but they don't compare to the simplicity of a digital camera.
@jm1234567890 i meant the Olympus PEN
@The Geek Don't know much yet, but for sure:
- better ISO
- lighter and smaller bodies
Don't forget much, much larger lenses, and an interface that makes even the 'dumbed-down' E-PL1 iAuto mode look smart.
@jhoff80 Oh, and as for image quality, despite the larger sensor, in my opinion based on the DPR comparison photos, up to and including ISO1600, the E-PL1 is better (more detail).
@jhoff80 The pen is better at this stage for sure. But frankly, there is only one really big issue with the NEX and that is the interface. I hope that changes with the rumored NEX7.
@The Geek A comparison is in the review.
@jhoff80
I've found a good site (in Japanese) comparing lots of different ISO settings between the NEX-5, GF1, E-PL1 and even the EOS Kiss X4 here http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/special/20100520_368000.html
I think the NEX-5 definitely has better noise reduction in higher ISOs!
@jm1234567890 Your comment just made my morning
Honestly don't care in the slightest if the navigation is the worst thing in the world, as long as it takes good pictures count me in.
@Shokz It's also slow according to the review which concerns me... Although the camera looks great, I'd still prefer GF-1 especially white one :D
@Shokz Maybe you don't, but most people willing to invest in body and lenses would like a decent interface.
thats what temps me,wtf
I've been reading up on this for a while now and it will soon be mine :)
(that and EVO 4G)
WHAT IS UP WITH ENGADGET ERASING POSTS THAT GO AGAINST THE IPHONE?!
This is disturbing that you guys do that!
@Juggernaut408
Hide before they destroy you, too!
@Juggernaut408
umm this is a post about the nex cameras from sony, nothing about phones iphone or otherwise, if you posted that here, you're being dumb.
The "actively unhelpful" Sony interface was also reviewed on video (warning, profanity): http://is.gd/cGDX4
How does this compare to the iPhone 4's camera you might ask? The iPhone is in fact quite a bit better!
@j3ff Yeah, right. Great joke.
@j3ff You forgot the /s filter.
@sourav
A direct quote from Steve Jobs regarding OLED and IPS LCD's isn't enough sarcasm?
i don't get what this is doing on my apple site! :P
just kidding engadget you know i love you.. (seriously, look at my post count)
I'm looking forward to seeing these in stores..
dpreview is as serious as Ken Rockwell.
seriously though, dpr has always had a biased toward canikon over pentax, sony/minolta, and olympus.
I'm upset. This is the second non-apple iphone post. What are you doing? I ... I ... feel ... cold. So ... cold.
How does this compare to the iPhone 4's camera you might ask? The iPhone is in fact quite a bit better than the other
@seanana : are you high?
Wrong design approach for the price bracket. $600 and interchangeable lenses means an enthusiast camera by default.
Should have been given a Canon G11 form factor and control system.
Discount this review. dpreview got screwed over by Sony when these cameras were announced. Most of the 'big' sites got review units and had full reviews out the day after sony's press release. dpreview had nothing and admitted so.
So this *may* be sour grapes. Look to other reviews and do your due diligence.
@maxxed Same issues in the other reviews.
Pricing?
Apparently it's made in Thailand.... oh wheres the love Sony? Made in Japan please.
"interchangeable lenses in a form factor smaller than "
Ah no...the nex lenses are bigger than m43...muuuuch bigger.
@Stormstrike Indeed! As a result of the short flange/plane distance and the large sensor, telecentric lenses are required.
m4/3 also have this issue to a degree because they chose not to have an aggressive microlens shift (a la Leica M9) to compensate for the well-like nature of digital photosites and steep angle of incidence. But the m4/3 lenses still manage to be reasonably small and the sensor being closer to square means the lenses don't have to project as large an image-circle and thus can be smaller.
It remains to be seen if Sony or Zeiss can design compact top-quality optics for this system, hopefully with vastly superior performance to the very lackluster 16/2.8 offered by Sony at launch.
Personally I think the camera looks pretty cool, but I think the slow shooting is a huge turn off. I personally stayed out of the digital DSLR game until I could get my hands on a reasonable priced DSLR that was ready to shoot instantaneously--and I have no need to go back on that.
DPreview is feeling the heat,for some reason they are anti sony,going by the ratings of previous sony cameras or infact any cameras other then canon or nikon..
the NEX cameras image are good as any other top rated APS-C based DSLRs like canon T2 in some cases better.
are they selling yet? I see that black 18-55 set for nex-5 is in stock at sonystyle.com.