Sony NEX-5 preview
By Vlad Savov 
posted June 16th 2010 7:04PM
posted June 16th 2010 7:04PM
Alright, let's get our uncensored gushing out of the way first. The NEX-5's body is beautifully built. That magnesium alloy construction really makes the camera feel like it can withstand a high velocity encounter with a brick wall. Not that Sony's reps would let us verify that hypothesis, the spoilsports. Seriously, if all you're after is one of the slickest and seemingly hardest wearing compact shooters around, just buy the NEX-5 and move on to figuring out what smartphone camp you wanna belong to.
But should you care for how this little camera actually handles and performs, read on. Although the back of the NEX-5 is mostly devoid of buttonry, the large and vibrant 3-inch LCD doesn't offer any touch functionality, which might surprise and disappoint users. The screen does ameliorate the situation by offering some degree of articulation. You can't swivel it left or right, but you can turn it vertically in order to use it to compose shots directly above or below your point of view . We didn't find it anywhere near as fluid or easy to maneuver as the screen on our D5000, but it'll do the job well enough for the more patient among you.
We shouldn't, however, overstate the UI critique -- we had only a limited time with the NEX-5, and we can say from experience that most cameras that offer such an advanced range of controls and adjustments tend to take some time to adapt to. These are complex pieces of equipment with a learning curve that's higher than the one you'd expect from things like phones, pocket camcorders, or mainstream point-and-shoot cams.
And now to the all-important image quality. We have to first reiterate our proviso that our time with the NEX-5 was limited, and add to it the fact that we were in a poorly lit environment which will hardly represent the best possible results with this camera. On the other hand, it should certainly provide a representative real world usage scenario for you to judge from. Looking at our results in the gallery below, you'll see some pretty lucid, well exposed, and richly saturated images. And if 800 pixels was a sufficient width for all photos ever taken, this camera would walk away with our golden unicorn prize and never have another worry in the world.
But they're not, and we have to report with a heavy heart that full-sized 14 megapixel pictures suffered from heavy noise-reducing blurring and a little sprinkling of extra noise that post-processing couldn't overcome. That's not to say that it's a terrible algorithm -- we were in fact happily surprised by how well the noise reduction avoids blotchiness and the complete obliteration of fine detail (it obliterates, but not entirely, you see), but the fact remains that when pushed to its maximum resolution in challenging conditions, the NEX-5 doesn't produce attractive pics. Anyhow, see what you think for yourself in the gallery below -- we've tried to include a few comparison shots to show the effect of using the flash as well.
In summary then, Sony has put together a stunning camera body, stuffed it with impressive hardware, allied it to a set of equally alluring lenses, and then handicapped the whole thing with a UI that wants to do DSLR duties with a pocket cam's control scheme. That's our biggest bone to pick with the NEX-5, though its rather steep price and apparent failure to perform to true pro shooter standards are also pretty high up there. All the same, we do like the NEX-5 and we're enjoying where this whole trend of "hybridizing" the DSLR and pocket camera market is going. Now bring on more lenses, lower prices, and a saner control scheme, and you'll have yourself a winner, Sony. Get 'er done.
@summerboy18
Get the fuck out.
@Mikeo now that the comment got removed, I end up looking like an arse :/
"pixels don't matter as long as lenses are good"
Good lenses are important, but so is pixel area.
@summerboy18 You're being such a troll. You never even played with the iPhone 4 yourself. And you're funny to compare a phone to a DSLR (where lenses can and should be replaced). Sure megapix doesn't say it all I give you that, but you don't need to drag your iBoner 4.0 into this discussion and talk about lens issues when the chip and its algorithms are likely to have an even larger part in the failure here. But hey, that's just my view on this.
@Mikeo haha given my own rant towards that nerd I know how you feel ;) But happier with the fact the engadget staff dealt with it and fast too :) kuddo's for the moderator(s)! :)
Wait for NEX-7 that should fix NEX-5 issues (more control button) but Sony need to release better lens.
@techlord
the first phrase in the preview described my situation WAY SO detailed that I have to face the truth.
I am more geeky than I thoght :P
@techlord Agreed. Waiting for the NEX 7. Especially with the adapter for Pentax to use those Limited primes.
On the other hand, while the interface is awful it is not that awful. Checked in the shop for an hour, and wasn't that bad. But if you want DSLR control and speed...
@techlord : Forget that, I just want to got to all these gadget parties! Engadget call me. :|
@One Love
Seriously, there seems to be a rockin party back there. So rockin that no one is looking at the camera except for our dedicated Engadget editor. Good work!
@One Love
Why the hell is Jameela Jamil the DJ at this party? That's just random.
She's not a DJ.
@Atkins
Don't need to wait for the NEX7 to get PK->E adapters; they will be out in about a month.
Meanwhile, take a look at some photos users have already taken with both kit lenses and A-mount lenses (via the LA-EA1 adapter) to get an idea of just what this little camera is capable of:
http://upload.a-system.net/photo/list/model_name/NEX-5
@techlord the color matching is way off. what you see in the screen is not what is being shot at. Look at the color of the bottles
@techlord
Not even the NEX 69 will convince me to swap my Lumix GH1 for one of these sony's smart little toys
@techlord
I think the whole point of these cameras is to attract the P&S crowd, and Sony wants you to buy the Alpha dSLRs if you want the buttons. However, a rangefinder style camera with this mount like the GF1 would be awesome.
One thing I do like about this camera is that it has HDR and Panorama built in. Basically you sweep the camera to the side to get Panorama and you can take HDR shots with one button press.
Now stitching photos together and combining bracketed shots to make an HDR picture can be done with Photoshop, but by having it at a press of a button certainly makes it more accessible to folks entering photography (which is who this camera is for).
Canon or Nikon need to release compact body to really capture the market.
@techlord I woud love that. Especially a body from Canon built like the G10/11.
@Atkins
Don't like the S90?
Honestly, I'm not a photo junkie, but I think it's a great sort of hybrid in between point and shoot and dslr, the only question I have is does it have comparable quality to the Pen.
@seanGadget
It's a slightly bigger sensor, and other review sites show that it's a bit less noisy (not a dramatic difference, but noticeably less noisy).
@seanGadget
It use DSLR sensor but lack of full control will hurt long run, the and kit lens is underperform as well, for the money, you might be better get the Olympus PL-1, similar size, yes is bit smaller sensor, but for the picture, the high iso look more nature than nex. and has more advance feature. What we need is GF2 with better high iso because that one still has best manual.
@techlord
He specifically asked about image quality. This camera is better image quality than pen-1. It's probably true, that it has the worst ergonomics of all the big-sensor-compacts...
For ergonomics, I'd skip the gf1, and go for gH1.. The size difference is minimal, especially considering that the lens protrudes forward anyway, so the extra lumps of gh1, do not really add to the size of the package.
@seanGadget
I like everything about my PEN PL1 except the frustratingly slow autofocus and lack of a built-in EVF, especially when compared to my Lumix G1, which has the best of both.
Damn that spoilsports line was funny =P
Would love a flash like that for my E-P1.
Shame sony is just compatible with nothing :(
@Gobes
I would just like an E-P1. Canon and Nikon need to enter this market and drive the prices down.
Hey, Vladislav Savov, one little thing-- could you type out "want to" instead of "wanna?" I find it just a tad distracting, like here: "...figuring out what smartphone camp you wanna belong to" and here: "so if you wanna catch moments the instant they happen...". Nothing major, and I'm not a grammar nazi. Just... Engadget is a blog, not a chat or text conversation.
Good article, although it sort of ruins the NEX-5 for me. Low noise at high ISO is crucial for good low-light and moderate-light photography, and this seems to turn out some fairly noisy photos.
Still waiting for a time where anything non-DSLR, including any four-thirds or whatever, will be able to beat the all-around and high-ISO image quality of a Canon S90. Somebody has to be able to do it. Nikon? Sony? Even Canon?
@zhangyuan18 Get over yourself. You epitomize grammar nazi.
@HDx264 Your grammar is trash.
Remove the aggressive noise reduction and I'd hit it.
This might be the closest thing to a Leica in terms of build quality and hotness. I'm just not keen on the post-processing...
@Mikeo The NEX5 maybe, but the NEX3 feels really cheap. Now, the lenses are awesome in that aspect.
such an excellent idea from sony! i want one of these NOW!
I'm curious how this compares to the GF1. I'm guessing GF1 wins out with the video hacks.
The NEX will have better IQ at higher ISO, but the GF1 will have better lens support, and if I am not mistaken better image stability. Plus, the GF1 is I am told is nicer to hold in hand.
@Patlex Depends on the hand :)
From what I see this thing has better DR than the GF1.
Nx10 seems better other than the build quality. Kind of expected this to be honest. Even the nx10 seems overly expensive though. I still want it :(
@parabola
No... Not Really.
I bought the Samsung a couple of weeks ago from FRYs and soon returned it as it lagged behind both my PL1 and G1 in almost every way, with the exception of display quality.
I am waiting on the Panasonic GF2, M4/3 still wins for me over this or the NEX-3.
@jayayess1190 +1 GF2... Also I want the 4/3 8mm Fisheye!
wow, my d5000 it doest look big
I like the magnesium body and metal lenses, and its an impressive exercise in how small it can be with an aps-c sensor, but...god, that things ugly. The zoom lens is comically oversized for that tiny body.
not to mention the controls look like a nightmare. considering the shortage of actual buttons and dials, im SHOCKED there are no touchscreen controls. You get touch control with the new panasonic, and that doesnt even need it because it has adequate physical controls..
It really feels like more of an expirament than a finished product. Lots of impressive engineering, but not so great in practice. better luck next time, Sony!
The NEX-5 doesn't do 1080p (only 1080i) video.
Wow... seeing the NEX-5 sitting next to a Nikon D5000 is crazy! I have a D60 and it's a similar size to the D5000.
However... the NEX-5 is still not pocketable.... so what are its advantages over a true DSLR?
With the prime lens I have read it can easily fit in a large pants pocket or a jacket pocket. But, with the other lenses it will offer, the advantage would be better than P&S IQ, with weight that is comparably less than a DSLR.
@Michael Scrip When you consider lens+body, it'll be roughly half a kilo less than a DLSR. Also when you take off the lenses, everything is very pocketable.
Lol @ sony:
too small body with too many compromises
too big and heavy lenses
shitty UI
inherent design flaws with the mount (flange distance too small->sharpness problems).
@Stormstrike
Basically what you want is a 110mm sensor in a 22mm body, but it should be not to small to hold. Did I get all your complaints correctly?
@pretol
Hmm, I think not quite. Anyway, as far as things stand, the e-pl1 is pretty good for my needs (tried it in a shop a few times and have orded it): great colors, sharp, reasonable good high iso, inbody stabiliser, perfect jpeg rendition (saves work) and fast af with pany lenses (20mm f1.7). The ergonomics are great, the UI is nice and its fun to take pictures with it.
The last part is what is especially important. The nex is simply no fun. You have to fight the UI to a degree its laughable. They should have made it somewhat bigger and put a few more damn buttons on that thing but I bet they had to make the body the smallest there is...no matter what.... result: FAIL !
^_^
@summerboy18
lx3 has NOTHING on these dslr-sensor compacts. So I don't know what LX4 is going to get you. With a sensor size about 1/9 the area of this, there's no comparison.
Apples to oranges.
Just got a nex 5 on saturday and i fully suggest that if you are thinking of one is to try it to see if you do like it and just ignore this review whilst going to a 'proper' camera site for a more indepth one. The common theme for most reviews is to jump on the 'its not a DSLR' well it aint, it fills the gap that is between a point and shoot and a DSLR which is what i want and im very happy with.
After 'READING' the manual the 'lack' of buttons isnt that 'horrendus' as everything you need or aloud to change is accessable from the dial in one click and its not that hard to change modes when you know where they are in the menu system.
this is the only review that says the picture quality isnt good. i wonder if the reviewer is a cannon fanboi....